Ryecast

One of Rye’s top tourist attractions faces a challenging future thanks to failing equipment, falling visitor numbers, and the cost-of-living crisis. The charity that runs the Rye Heritage Centre, home to the famous Rye Town Model, says it’s just about breaking even and is now appealing for more volunteers and support from the town. 

In this week’s edition of Ryecast, James Stewart has been talking to Manager Simon Parsons and Chairman Chris Hoggart about the difficulties they face.  There’s more on the fascinating history of the model and a look ahead to future plans. Volunteers Lynne and Lorraine explain why they love meeting visitors to the Centre, and  a mother from Paris shows  her daughter the model thirty years after her first visit. 

If you’d like to volunteer at Rye Heritage Centre, ask for manager Simon Parsons at reception on the Strand Quay or visit www.ryeheritage.co.uk

Ryecast is Rye’s new podcast. You can hear it by searching for Ryecast in Apple, Spotify etc or by visiting www.ryecast.org. Plus if you’ve got a story or a suggestion about who James should feature next, email [email protected]

Travels around the world and life in Rye over the years are featured in this week’s Ryecast. Walkers on the Rye Health Walk have been telling their stories during their weekly stroll - this week to the Reedbed Viewpoint at the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Presenter James Stewart joined the walkers – and a couple of dogs – to hear about life at sea and being drawn to Rye after living abroad.

It’s a friendly, social walk led by Nick Harding every Monday at 10am starting from the Gibbet Marsh Car Park. Nick describes the health benefits of the walk, shares his love of walking around our town, and explains to James why the blackberries along this week’s route aren’t for eating – in spite of the plentiful supply.

You can find more details about the Rye Health Walk in the Rye News events section or at The Conservation Volunteers website.  For more walks in East Sussex organized by TCV click here.

Ryecast is Rye’s new podcast. You can hear it by searching for Ryecast in Apple, Spotify etc or by visiting www.ryecast.org. Plus if you’ve got a story or a suggestion about who James should feature next, email [email protected]

Taking a different view of Rye is the theme of this week’s Ryecast. The town’s new podcast features two people who’re making a mark by doing something new in Rye - one entering a crowded market with a big vision, the other taking a hobby to new heights. Plus in episode 3 of Ryecast, you’ll hear stories of Elvis, The Blues, butterflies and Tiger Moths  

Stuart Cooper is an IT consultant but outside work he combines his passions for flying and photography by taking stunning shots of Rye from high in the air using drones. He's been showing presenter James Stewart how to handle a drone, as well as talking about his love of nature especially butterflies. 

Mark Tozer has recently opened a new Estate Agency in Rye. After decades in the business, he believes buying and selling a property can be done differently. Plus he's been telling James how the music of Elvis Presley and Blues guitarist Buddy Guy play such a big part in his life.

Two people with family connections to the Rye Harbour Lifeboat going back many years are the subject of this week’s Ryecast. Betty Broocks who’s been fundraising for the RNLI for over half a century and current Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Bolton have been telling Rye’s new podcast about their family’s long history of saving lives at sea.

Betty, who’s lived in Rye Harbour almost all her life, was one of the Lifeboat Ladies fundraising thousands for kit and equipment. She talks about her worries for her husband Terry whilst he was at sea on a rescue, and her pride in her family’s involvement in the RNLI. Paul, who met his wife Claire at the lifeboat station, gives presenter James Stewart a quick tour of the latest boat “Hello Herbie Two” and explains how the volunteers who support the lifeboat come from all walks of life - including his two daughters.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

Ryecast is all about Rye, so if you’ve a suggestion for a story or fancy getting involved get in touch. You can find out more about Ryecast at www.ryecast.org You can either hear it on the website or by searching for Ryecast where you normally find your podcasts. You can email with story suggestions and ideas to [email protected] or follow @ryecastsussex on Twitter

The launch episode of Ryecast is live - just in time for Sussex Day. 

In this special edition of Rye's new podcast, our Town Crier has a special Cry, presenter James Stewart looks forward to future episodes by revealing his A to Z of the town, and there's the sound of a very frisky donkey....

James has spent the last few weeks gathering recordings around town, but he's completely failed when it comes to the letter Z. Can you help?  Email [email protected]

And if you visit the podcast webpage - www.ryecast.org - you can find out how you can get involved in making Rye's new podcast

Don't forget to subscribe - and follow @ryecastsussex on twitter

You can get more info about Town Crier Paul on his website https://paulgtoastmaster.com/
Both series of Channel Four's Mapp & Lucia  are available on DVD B0000C24DRVG
Captain Pugwash is also on DVD B001CD9KMSVG
As is The Quiet Woman DVD 5019322350125

Ryecast - the new podcast for Rye in East Sussex - launches  on Thursday the 16th of June.

Rye is full of people with a story to tell – and that’s what Ryecast is all about.  Aimed at locals and visitors alike, the podcast will look back at significant moments in Rye’s colourful history and celebrate life in the town today.  Ryecast will feature people who’ve made a difference to the town and find out why they think Rye is so special. There will be episodes on the things Rye is famous for, as well the stuff the town relies on every day. 

Ryecast will bring together lifetime Ryers and DFLs (Down from Londoners) in conversation, as well as getting to know the people who make Rye tick. And whilst the focus will be Rye and its residents, the podcast will also talk to some of the thousands who visit each year to find out why they love Rye too.

The podcast will be working closely with colleagues at Rye News on story ideas, plus Ryecast will be another way Rye News readers to be part of the debate about life in the town. 

The first episode of Ryecast is on Sussex Day, Thursday the 16th of June.

If you'd like to get involved or suggest a story, email [email protected] or message @ryecastsussex on twitter

Ryecast is presented and produced by journalist and Rye resident James Stewart

Art work by Mark Baker www.cratch.co.uk
Music by www.purple-planet.com/