Some 50 local residents gathered last Sunday in the former Quaker graveyard at the end of Watchbell Street. Beneath the central marquee were tables on which each guest laid their offerings of food and wine. It was an abundant cornucopia enough for twice their number. To crown the feast there were two Platinum Jubilee puddings, created by Roger Moore, one of the guests.
Whilst the loaded tables formed the centrepiece for the celebration, the focus lay in the communal gathering itself. Friends and neighbours were meeting in celebration not just of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but also of the thanksgiving for being able to come together again after the long months of the pandemic lock-down and shielding observed by many to this day.
The weather stayed fine, and little groups formed and reformed as neighbours exchanged news and greetings. We were enlivened by a young Ukrainian family from Kyiv who had come, one of several, to settle in Rye.
Organisation of the party owed much to the energy of Michael Jones, who lives in Watchbell Street. Mayor Cllr Andi Rivett arrived with greetings from Her Majesty and resident bard, Andrew Bamji, gave an amusing commentary in verse to round off the event.
