Rye Festival tohold a Battle ofBritain walk

A special walk will explore how Rye was on the front-line of aerial combat during the Battle of Britain.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Aug 2015, 12:55 BST

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Rye Walks SUS-150608-111110001Rye Walks SUS-150608-111110001
Rye Walks SUS-150608-111110001

The walk, which marks the 75th anniversary of the battle,is one of a number taking place during this year’s Rye Festival.

Walks will also explore Medieval and Tudor Rye, the Medieval cellars under Winchelsea and the historic churches of Romney Marsh.

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A Walk through World War II takes place on Sunday September 13, and Saturday 19 and will explore how the conflict affected the town.

Peter Mackenzie Smith leads the walks, which are limited to 17 people, and will provide a wealth of information on how the lives of Ryers were changed during the conflict.

He will also point out physical aspects of the war, such as air raid sirens and the defences that were made against the potential invasion that might at any time have been hours away.

The walk starts at 11am at the Gun Garden and ends with lunch at the Queen’s Head Landgate (included in the £22 ticket price). Early booking is recommended.

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Former Rye Mayor Jo Kirkham steps further back into the past with her two Walks around Historical Rye.

The focus will be on Medieval and Tudor Rye – its buildings, people and history.

Jo is Rye’s its longest standing Town Councillor, chairman of the Rye Museum board of directors, former history teacher and author of numerous books, pamphlets and articles on Rye and its history.

Jo’s tours are on Tuesdays September 15 and 22, with the walks starting at 11am at the Rye Heritage Centre and finishing at St Mary’s Church at 12.30pm. Numbers are limited to 15 people.

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There are also half-a-dozen walking Winchelsea Cellars Tours during the Festival, which this year runs from September 11 - 27.

These walks explore some of the many 13th century barrel-vaulted cellars on which the town was built. French wine was shipped in prodigious quantities in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries before being forwarded to London and the rest of England and so merchants built wine cellars before adding living accommodation above at a later date.

These six tours are each limited to 24 people, they cost £7.50 and start at 11am at the Town Well in Winchelsea.

The Romney Marsh Churches Tour takes place on Tuesday September 15. A coach leaves from Rye train station at 10am. Tickets are £35 and include a pub lunch at the Ship Inn at Dymchurch.

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More information is available by telephoning the Box Office on 01797 224442 or checking out www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk.

The Box Office will be open for personal bookings at Phillips & Stubbs in Cinque Ports St, Rye, from 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Saturday or you can book tickets online from the website. For more information, including downloadable application forms, go to www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk.

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