Just before Christmas, as Rye News editor, I wished you well, and now it is time to wish you a Happy New Year as Twelfth Night swept away the remains of Christmas. But has the world changed? A swift look at this week's stories suggests not.
But, as we move back into lockdown, Covid is very much front of mind, and Rye News has tried to provide as much up to date information as possible.
Rother District Council has provided a wide range of information on the many issues raised by the resumed lockdown while, at the same time, all the services we might need are trying to make the best use of resources. And, following on from that, our local volunteers in Rye Mutual Aid have been reviewing the services it provides.
Moving on from Covid-19 to some other familiar issues, moving some of Rye's huge vehicles from Strand Quay and Winchelsea Road along the A259 to Harbour Road just seems like shifting a problem, and maybe creating a worse one, rather than solving it.
Rising sea levels could be a plus
Looking at the map however reminded me that Old Winchelsea was swept away by a storm, and Camber castle used to stand guard over England's fleet when the Brede was tidal. So any development in Harbour Road has a shelf life which may be shorter than we think, as the sea reclaims what it has lost, and Rye becomes virtually an island again.
Indeed Rother's flood defences need improving quickly - and may not be effective for very long - so the golf club may need another notice saying "KEEP OUT SEA".
In the short term though, I'm hanging on to my mask until I get some news about when vaccines will arrive, hopefully next week, but I mean news about how the vaccine will be delivered, not when, and I shall throw a tantrum if I am told I have to make an online appointment and go to a car park in the middle of nowhere - as I have neither a car nor a smartphone, and I am nearly 80 - and I intend to reach 90 at least.
So we're in lockdown again. But, hopefully, this may be as a turning point - and, in the meantime, we'll buy online, if we can, and order takeaways, if we can, - and rely on Rye Mutual Aid and the food bank, if necessary. And, hopefully, you, our readers, will keep sending in stories and comments!
