- Korean firm wins MoD tankers deal
- Mother and daughter given Asbos
- 'Exceptionally' mild weather on way
- Teenager 'repeatedly raped by gang'
- Man quizzed over women's murders
- Cherie Blair makes phone hack claim
- Man accused of murdering vicar
- Peacocks saved, but 3,000 jobs go
- Sex attacker was under surveillance
- RBS set to unveil £400m bonus pot
- 'Anxious' teacher 'set self alight'
- 'Crush racism' in football: PM
- Protesters refused cathedral appeal
- Man accused of starting riots blaze
- PM urges 'thorough' fraud probe
- Fox urges Budget business tax cuts
- UK reporter dies in Syria onslaught
- Private firm to run police station
- Ex-bouncer guilty of Nikitta murder
- Third chance to get Olympic tickets
Local News
Man arrested over fake bank notes
A KENT man was arrested in Battle after he tried to use forged bank notes in the town’s shops.
Antiques stolen in house break-in
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Burwash Common in which two distinctive items of property were stolen.
Court case against council leader dropped
THE court case against the leader of Rother District Council has been dropped due to ‘insufficient evidence’.
Family affair! Rye hair salon saved from closure
A MOTHER and daughter have given a Rye hairdressing salon a new lease of life.
Rotary Club stages fun Spanish night
RYE and Winchelsea Rotary Club helped beat the winter blues when they staged a recent Spanish Evening at Playden W.I. Hall.
Historic gown used at Brede Christening
A CHRISTENING gown was used again at Brede Church on Saturday 100 years to the day after it was first worn.
Rare rose going on show at Great Dixter
VISITORS to Northiam’s Great Dixter will be first in the country to be able to view and buy a new varity of rare Lent rose.
Dad takes plunge for hospital staff
A PEASMARSH dad is facing up to his fear of heights to jump 12,000 feet out of a plane to raise funds for the hospital that saved his daughter,
Drink driver holed up at Camber Sands car park
A SHARP-EYED parking attendant at Camber Sands led to a drink driver being banned.
Teenage girl kicked in glass door of shop after drinking stolen wine
A TEENAGE girl kicked in a glass shop door after getting drunk on stolen bottles of wine.
Olympic torch ‘visit’ branded waste of money
THE Olympic Torch coming to Rye in July would be a waste of public money and would not benefit the town says one local councillor.
The Rye View
ROTHER District Council is recommending that we bite the bullet and accept the one off government grant of £177,000 in order to freeze council tax, meaning people will not have to pay more this year. The alternative was not to accept the grant and increase council tax by a substantial amount which would be unacceptable by those who are already suffering from the government’s austerity measures. However, next year looks daunting and the decision to either raise council tax or cut services substantially will have to be made unless town and parish councils can take on some of the burden by having some services devolved to them. It would appear that this is the way forward, but it all depends on an amicable agreement being reached between Rother and its town and parish councils as to what they would be prepared to take on. The nub of this problem would be whether there would be sufficient human and financial resources available to the town and parish councils. On February 24, two representatives from Rye Town Council have been invited by Rother District Council to table their ideas at a Devolved Services Working Group meeting. Other Parish Councils have also been invited. Each town and parish council will be allowed 20 minutes to speak – not exactly much time to set out any devolution plan! Rye Town Council’s representatives have had their ideas approved at a town council meeting on Monday. I would have wished the plan would have included a discussion on area committees, but until Rye Town Council has agreed this alternative approach to devolution it remains on hold for the moment. To my mind this would be the best solution, but I am aware that such a radical change in governance would take longer than the time available if we want to avoid a doomsday scenario next year.
Democratic Rye holds AGM
THE Campaign for a Democratic Rye holds its AGM in the Benson Room at the George Hotel at 7pm, on Thursday February 23. As well as members of the CDR, anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Scallop Festival putting Rye on the culinary map
RYE celebrates the fruits of the sea with the week-long annual Scallop Festival getting underway on Saturday February 25.
Marathon effort for salon staff
STAFF at Rye Retreat salon are looking to raise funds for Boathouse Theatre Arts by entering the Hastings Half Marathon on March 25.
Zero tax increase from County Council
THERE was some respite for hard hit tax payers this week when East Sussex County Council announced it would be freezing its section of the council tax.
Sheep deaths anger farmers
DOZENS of sheep were killed and mutilated after two dogs went on a midnight rampage through fields at Pett.
Sussex loses 93 front line police officers
SUSSEX lost 93 front-line police officers in the period between 2010 - 2011 according to new figures.
Rye area news in brief
THE Royal Oak at Pett is holding a Quiz Night in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.
COLLEGE UNVEILS NEW STUDIO SCHOOL PLANS
RYE College has unveiled ambitious plans to establish the first Studio School in the South of England.
Bernardine is Deputy Mayor
RYE Councillor Bernardine Fiddimore was voted in as Deputy Mayor Elect when Rye Town Councill met on Monday.
Praise for the county council gritting teams
RYE Community Bus kept going during the recent snow and icy weather.
Raps the way to do it, kids
YOUNG Rye rail users have been recording their expriences of travelling on the transport system in the form of raps.
New Rye Boxing Club Open Day
NEWLY formed Rye Town Amateur Boxing Club is holding an open day event on Saturday February 25 at the Boys club on Mermaid street Rye between 3pm - 6pm.
MP to meet with health bosses
RYE MP Amber Rudd is to meet with the Chief Executive and Chairman of the East Sussex Healthcare Trust
Six accused of killing farmer in bungled burglary
SIX men have appeared in court accused of killing a farmer after trying to steal ‘his own hard-earned property’ from his land.
Share your diamond memories with us
Where were you on the day Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne?
Police renew appeal to help trace wanted man
POLICE have renewed their appeal for information to help find a wanted man who has links to Ninfield, Battle and Bexhill.
Traders’ anger at council’s lack of grit
ANGRY traders say business has plummeted this week after Rother failed to grit the town’s main car park.
Lucky escape for man pinned by bus
A GOOD Samaritan had a lucky escape after he ended up pinned between a bus and a car on the A21.
Bonfire boost for local charities
BONFIRE celebrations at Icklesham have provided £3,000 for local charities and good causes.
Son punched father during family fight
A SON has had a court order slapped on him preventing him from seeing his parents after punching his dad in the face.
Budgens keeps bus rolling
RYE supermarket Jempson’s/Budgens raised over £400 for Rye and District Community Transport with its annual Christmas raffle.
Police warn of big increase in bike thefts
RYE police are warning cyclists to be on their guard following a dramatic increase of bike thefts in the Rother area.
More help for first time buyers
MP AMBER Rudd has welcomed Government funding to build more affordable homes in Rye.
Rare find dates to earliest days of Winchelsea
AN incredible find uncovered at a Winchelsea allotment has helped shed light on the history of the medieval town.
Tributes paid to Rye visionary
TRIBUTES were paid this week to a man who had a vision of an independent and self-reliant Rye.
Friends start fight to save historic clock
THERE are fears the historic clock at St Mary’s Church could fall silent after striking the hours in Rye for more than 500 years.
Rare winter snake sighting
THE mild start to the year before this week’s icy weather saw the rare sighting of an adder at Brede High Woods.
Rother climb down on night parking charges
HARD hit motorists in the Rye area were offered a crumb of comfort this week when Rother Council voted against introducing overnight charges in car parks,
Rye restaurant creates love potions
Dev Biswas the award winning chef at Rye’s Ambrette Restaurant has come up with a six course sample menu guaranteed to add a little spice to Valentime’s Day.
Rye Observer Comment
It is somewhat hard to comprehend that it was only a week ago on Monday that Dr Keith Taylor tapped me on the shoulder as he left a Rye council meeting and with the usual twinkle in his eye said, as he often did: “There are lots of things happening in Rye, we will have some big news for you before long.”
Can you help loveable pair stay together?
A SPECIAL pair of dogs at The Blue Cross in Northiam are appealing for an owner who will help them stay together for Valentines Day.
Campaigners demand improvements to train services
A CAMPAIGN group is demanding improvements to the Hastings to London rail link after the Government revealed plans to renew the rail franchise in 2014.
Lions’ concert is a sell-out success again
RYE Lions had a record audience for their 6th annual Nearly Burns Brass Band Concert.
Tearoom raises thousands for charity
TWO local charities will be benefiting to the tune of £1,400 each thanks to a Christmas Draw held by Fletchers House tea rooms.
College creates links with Ghana
TAKING an active interest in Fairtrade led to Rye College students making a trip Africa.
‘Loyal’ Brian says goodbye to school
ICKLESHAM Primary School said a fond farewell to long-standing governor Brian Thompson.
High Sheriff shows support for care centre
RYE’S ARRCC charity won praise from the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Mrs Kathy Gore, when she toured its facilities last week.
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
