Rye was traditionally a market town, being the hub of the local rural community, but it has also become a historic tourist town and in recent years a festival town, turning Rye into a culture hub.
Over the years Rye lost its livestock and produce market but has not quite lost its market-town status, as there is a weekly general stall market (on Thursday by the station), a farmers’ market (on Wednesdays at Strand Quay) and a country market (on Fridays in the Conduit Hill community centre).
But in the past 12 months there has also been sea, jazz, Christmas and comedy festivals. And if you count the scallop and wild boar weeks as festivals, there is a festival on average every two months, and all the festivals/events seem to have music as one of the main attractions.
Is there room, though, for any more festivals?
Does anyone have any suggestions for one that does not have culture, music or food as its main attraction? Such as a festival bringing the rural and village communities together with Rye to promote community spirit.
Perhaps a fun festival with silly event and happenings (silly races, tiddly winks, fake news bulletins, and pub Olympics)?
Or a sports festival with all the local sport clubs holding events, matches, races and games?
But perhaps, best of all, no more festivals – so the community has a quiet time to enjoy the town and one another's company?
Photo: Rye News library
