News

Stay informed on local events and their impact on Rye and the surrounding villages. From politics and local government, to humanitarian challenges and our local economy, our News coverage brings context and clarity to the stories shaping our local community.

Record set at Swap Shop

The first recycle swap shop of 2015 set a new record for the amount brought. Trained volunteers were there, as well, to give advice on how to save energy and cut energy bills. Mike Pepler reports.

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

Public ballot on car park row

Is Icklesham Parish Council proposing to write an open cheque to Rother District Council for the next century? Residents angry at the suggestion of taking over unknown costs to run Rye Harbour car park and public toilets have called a Parish Poll

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

Free home repairs by Rother?

Does your house have loose tiles? Are there windows that need replacing? Worried about the expense? Well, why not hoist the cost onto Rother District Council? That's what an Icklesham parish councillor and former mayor of Winchelsea has managed to do

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

'You must lobby' for rail upgrade

Following her detailed briefing to the annual meeting of the MarshLink Action Group about the proposed Javelin rail service, Lisa Goodman, senior development manager at Network Rail, took questions from the floor, during which she stressed the importance of applying political pressure

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

An expert eye on Javelin's future

The future of our rural economy hinges, some believe, on faster rail links with London. One of the leading figures involved in evaluating a 90mph Javelin service to Rye has just given a briefing on how Network Rail is weighing up the options that confront those wanting to make it a reality. Lisa Goo

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

Southern Rail excuses fall flat

Commuters from Rye have been angered for months by cancellations of services and the shortcomings of rolling stock. Southern Rail sent an executive to soothe members of the MarshLink Action Group at its annual meeting last week. But the efforts were derailed - for once, not by a failed diesel unit

By Ben Keeley

/ 26 Mar 2015

Low point in Winchelsea High Street

There was more bad news for residents of Winchelsea worried about the future of the dwindling number of shops in the town after the publication of the latest accounts by owner Winchelsea Farm Foods. Over three-quarters of a million pounds were lost and 15 staff dismissed

By Ben Keeley

/ 25 Mar 2015

Museum throws open its doors

Come to the East Street museum on Saturday morning, March 28 from 10:30 for refreshments and to celebrate the reopening at weekends. Also check out the new offerings at

By Rye News

/ 25 Mar 2015

Charity farm's first birthday

Little Gate Farm in Beckley, a care farm and registered charity for learning disabled adults and children, celebrates its first birthday on Saturday March 28. It was set up by

By Rye News

/ 25 Mar 2015

From Richard III to Rye

Mass at St Anthony’s, Rye, this Palm Sunday will be celebrated by the Major Superior of the Greyfriars order, the Very Rev Peter Damian Massengill (pictured above), who has

By Ben Keeley

/ 25 Mar 2015

Pretty saplings all in a row

A small army of volunteer gardeners rolled up their sleeves to get their hands dirty planting 300 saplings for the new community garden next to Love Lane allotments. Why not come and help next time? Volunteers are always welcome!

By Kenneth Bird

/ 19 Mar 2015

£96k Partnership loss 'not major'

Exchanges enlivened this year’s annual meeting of Rye Partnership when chairman Keith Glazier was confronted with questions from Anthony Kimber and organic farmer Christopher Strangeways. They wanted to know more about the money trail of the Partnership’s projects: a spending breakdown in detail bec

By Ben Keeley

/ 19 Mar 2015