Rye & Battle Observer (St. Leonards-on-Sea, England) back issues from May 2008:
50,000 motorists fined by Sussex speed cameras.
May 01, 2008 ... Motorists in Sussex have paid out around [pounds sterling]3 million in speed camera fines over the last year. According to statistics released this week, 73,000 speeding vehicles were snapped by fixed cameras, and 50,000 speed camera fines were issued last year in East and West ...
Make a date with Dolly tonight.
May 01, 2008 ... Hello Dolly, the latest offering from the Battle Light Opera Group, will be opening at the Battle Memorial Hall tonight. The show, directed by Tony Harris, stars Kathy Brown as Dolly, alongside BLOG stalwart Richard Moore as her grumpy client-turned-husband Horace Vandergelder. ...
Have your say at Battle and Netherfield parish assemblies.
May 01, 2008 ... Battle and Netherfield residents will get the chance to have their say about the issues affecting them at this year's parish assemblies. With the ongoing saga of the Blackfriars development and renewed concern over the future of Battle Tourist Information Centre, there is ...
Sunny weather helps Battle table sale.
May 01, 2008 ... Beautiful summer sunshine helped to make the Battle and Langton School Association table sale a rip-roaring success. A grand total of [pounds sterling]116 was raised on ...
Green bin plans on hold.
May 02, 2008 ... Plans to roll out green waste bins to 11,000 homes across Rother have been postponed until further notice following a dispute between the council and contractors. Rother District Council promised angry residents they would get their bins at Easter, but the deadline came and went ...
Try windsurfing in Rye this weekend.
May 02, 2008 ... THERE will be a chance for people to try their hand at windsurfing in Rye at the weekend. THERE will be a chance for people to try their hand at windsurfing in Rye at the weekend. Rye Watersports is taking part in a series of nation-wide activities to mark National ...
Boost for farmers as bluetongue vaccine arrives.
May 02, 2008 ... There is good news for farmers in the Rye and Battle area as the Government announces a vaccine for bluetongue. The bluetongue virus was found in the UK for the first time last September at a Suffolk farm. It is non-contagious and its spread has been blamed on midges. ...
Chris says farewell to Rye Playgroup.
May 02, 2008 ... Chris Booker said farewell to Rye Pre-sschool Playgroup after 18 years. Children held a farewell party to say goodbye to Chris last Wednesday. Sam Nield, from the playgroup, said: "It was a lovely occasion and quite ...
Car on roof after Battle crash.
May 02, 2008 ... A car ended up on it's roof after colliding with another vehicle close to a level crossing in Battle. Emergency services raced to the crash at Marley Lane just before 10am on ...
Better safety for bikers.
May 02, 2008 ... Motorcyclists can increase their safety awareness by signing up for an advanced training course. Pauline Goldsmith from East Sussex Advanced Motorcyclists said: "We are a non-profit making organisation affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. Our group is run by ...
New Rye housing development would put lives at risk.
May 02, 2008 ... A controversial new Rye housing development would put lives in danger says the Fire Service. It would also put paid to Rye's chances of getting dual railway lines. A London based developer snapped up land close to the railway line after it was auctioned ...
Inquest hears how birthday celebration ended in tragedy.
May 03, 2008 ... More than three times over the drink-driving limit, Michael Hopkins stumbled and fell to his death at Crowhurst Park, an inquest heard. Mr Hopkins, 60, lived at the park and his family had hired another cabin onsite for a party to celebrate his step-father's 90th birthday on ...
Plant sale success at Beckley.
May 06, 2008 ... Beckley Horticultural Society held a successful plant sale at the Village Centre on Saturday. Chairman Ron Juden said: "Considering there was another plant sale at Northiam ...
Family fun as Rye Fishing Quay opens to public for first time.
May 06, 2008 ... People were able to view Rye's fishing fleet when a family fund day took place at Simmons Quay on Sunday. There was entertainment, including live bands and children's entertainers and local chefs cooked up fresh food on the quay-side. The ...
Rye Rainbows celebrate 21 years.
May 06, 2008 ... Rye Rainbows will be having a party on Sunday to celebrate their 21st birthday. Rainbows is the Guiding movement's youngest group, for girls aged five -seven. There are five parties taking place across East Sussex on Sunday and the Rye Rainbows will be travelling to ...
New Rye Mayor takes part in ancient trradition.
May 06, 2008 ... Dozens of children scrambled for hot pennies when Rye's traditional Mayor making ceremony took place on Monday. Newly elected Mayor Sam Souster threw handfuls of pennies from an upper window at the Town Hall to children waiting in the streets below. The ceremony is ...
Popular US artist visits Battle.
May 06, 2008 ... Model-makers from across the UK and Europe visited Battle for a workshop with a sought after artist. American model-maker Rik Pierce flew over from the States to host two one-day workshops at Pyke House. Last week 12 students from across the south of England, Holland, ...
Work to improve Icklesham Hall gets underway.
May 06, 2008 ... Work to renovate Icklesham Memorial Hall is going ahead after years of planning and fund raising. Maureen Callis, from the project committee, said: "Enough money has now been raised."Despite the many obstacles raised at Parish Council meetings over the past few months, the ...
Lives could be at risk as drain thieves strike.
May 06, 2008 ... Lives could be put at risk because thieves are stealing metal grates from road drains in the Battle and Rye area to sell as scrap metal. More than 150 grates have been stolen from various locations during the recent spate of thefts in the east of the county, including ...
Bikers bank holiday invasion of Rye.
May 07, 2008 ... Bikers descended on Rye on Monday to add to the bank holiday atmosphere. Rye caught the overspill from the big May Day bike run which sees up to 20,000 bikers visiting Hastings. The machines caused a stir as they lined up along Strand Quay and overspilled into the ...
Cycle marking and crime prevention day at Rye.
May 07, 2008 ... Police are holding a cycle marking and crime prevention day at Rye's Tilling Green on Saturday. The event follows the success of a cycle marking and safety event at Freda Gardham School earlier this year when dozens of youngsters brought their bikes along to be security marked ...
Icklesham gardens open for hospice.
May 07, 2008 ... Two neighbouring gardens at Laurel Lane, in Icklesham, were enjoyed by visitors on Tuesday when they took part in the St Michael's Hospice Open Gardens Scheme. The garden at Knockbridge House contained a number of mature shrubs, including azaleas, camelias and magnolia as box ...
A21 closed after lorry crash at Hurst Green.
May 07, 2008 ... Several people have been injured in a horrific crash on the A21 at Hurst Green this morning (Wednesday). A lorry travelling south collided with a red van and a Fiat car heading in the opposite direction just before 7.15am. Police, ambulance and fire crews raced to the ...
All the fun of the fair as Rainbows hit 21.
May 07, 2008 ... Rainbows from Battle and Robertsbridge will be joining packs from across Rother and Hastings to celebrate a milestone birthday on Sunday. The national organisation turned 21 this week and 120 girls from Battle, Robertsbridge, Brede, Guestling and Pett, Hastings, St Leonards and ...
A new housing estate could help prevent Rye from flooding claim developers.
May 07, 2008 ... A new housing development in Rye will actually help prevent flooding. The claim was made at last week's public inquiry into the proposed development of more than 100 houses on a green field site north of Udimore Road. Fear that run-off from new houses would cause a ...
Revived May Day celebrations at Sedlescombe a success.
May 07, 2008 ... The ancient tradition of dancing round the may pole made a welcome return to Sedlescombe at the weekend. Sixteen pupils from the village primary school took a coloured ribbon and danced around the pole as part of Sedlescombe's May Day festivities. As the sun beat ...
Rescued canoeist was ill equipped say coastguards.
May 07, 2008 ... A missing canoeist was rescued from Fair;light after an extensive air and sea search off the Hastings coast. Coastguards received a 999 call at 1.45pm on Sunday from a man reporting his son had called him from a mobile phone to say he was lost in a kayak off Rock-a-Nore. ...
Driver seriously hurt in A21 Hurst Green crash.
May 07, 2008 ... A motorist remains seriously injured in hospital this evening (Wednesday) following an early morning crash on the A21 at Hurst Green. The man was driving a Fiat car which collided with a DAF truck before then colliding with a Vauxhall car just before 7.15am. Police, ...
Rye Harbour children's author dies aged 62.
May 08, 2008 ... Rye Harbour children's author and artist Jill Stott died at home on Friday May 2, aged 62 from cancer. A founder member and organiser of the Rye Harbour Artists' Group, Jill was an exceptional author and illustrator who produced a wide range of artistic work inspired by her ...
Chance to chat to Rye area Police Community Support Officers.
May 08, 2008 ... Rye area police community support officers are holding surgeries over the coming weeks. They are available to discuss any policing issues or just for a chat. PCSO Perchard will be at Brede Village Hall from 10am ...
Tractor parade will raise funds for St Michael's Hospice.
May 08, 2008 ... Farmers from the Rye and Battle area will be taking part in a parade of tractors on Sunday May 18 to raise funds for St Michael's Hospice. The parade, which includes vintage tractors, will form up at Clive Vale, in Hastings at 2pm and travel ...
Winchelsea Beach man told to buy a composter after one year wait for green bin.
May 08, 2008 ... A Winchelsea Beach man who has been waiting almost a year for his green bin has been told to buy a composter by Rother Council. James Justice was furious when council officials slapped a sticker on his bin reprimanding him for putting out too many bags of grass cuttings. ...
Rye area Poppy Appeal success.
May 08, 2008 ... The Rye area Poppy Appeal has raised a record [pounds sterling]10,898.19. The figure for collections, which took place in the autumn, is up more than [pounds sterling]2,000 on last year. This week collectors toasted the success ...
Go Ape at Hurst Green.
May 08, 2008 ... A live music event, which will raise funds for three local causes, will take place at Hurst Green village hall on Saturday, kicking off at 7.30pm. The show, called Go Ape, will open with dances from Bexhill College performing arts students, then Maidstone band Ape will entertain ...
A21 Hurst Green crash man dies.
May 08, 2008 ... A motorist involved in a collision on the A21 at Hurst Green yesterday (Wednesday) has died. The 52-year-old man from St Leonards was seriously injured when the grey Fiat Marea HLX he was driving collided with a red DAF goods vehicle and a Vauxhall Vivaro van. ...
Battle MP backing local traders campaign.
May 08, 2008 ... Battle MP Greg Barker is backing the Federation of Small Businesses' Keep Trade Local Campaign. Mr Barker met with Lord Brett McLean, the chairman of the 1066 branch which covers Hastings, Battle and Etchingham, to discuss the initiative to encourage consumers to use local ...
Cricket fun at Robertsbridge.
May 08, 2008 ... Summer officially arrived in Robertsbridge at the weekend, with glorious sunshine and an afternoon of England's favourite summertime sport - cricket. A total of 32 players turned out to the Etchingham and Fontridge Cricket Club Fun and Family Day on Sunday. The ...
Crack-down on illegal parking in Rye.
May 09, 2008 ... Motorists ignoring parking restrictions in Rye can expect tough action as a summer crack-down gets underway. Police say there will be zero tolerance for those who park on yellow lines and pavements. Rye police sergeant John Berry said: "We are already targeting ...
Glowing Ofsted report for Rye Playgroup.
May 09, 2008 ... Rye Pre-School Playgroup has won high praise from Ofsted inspectors with many aspects of the service said to be "outstanding". The playgroup, at Ferry Road, has been establishes since 1969 and currently has 59 children, aged two - four years, on its roll. It is open five days a ...
Rye fish quay opens to public.
May 09, 2008 ... The public are to get access to Rye's fishing quay after complaints that local people and visitors cannot see the boats anymore. A special family event on Sunday marked the start of the quay-side being open to the public on a trial basis. Simmons Quay opened last year ...
Rye Goes Rock!
May 09, 2008 ... RYE is all set rock on Saturday May 31. Rye Goes Rock is the big annual fund raiser for the ARRCC charity and a showcase for local talent. It takes place from 2pm - midnight at Rye's Thomas Peacocke College when BBC weather girl Kaddy Lee-Preston will introduce a host ...
Have your say on Robertsbridge arts.
May 09, 2008 ... Robertsbridge residents are being invited to have a say in what type of plays, music, exhibitions and other cultural events are staged in the village. The invitation comes from the Robertsbridge Art Partnership (RAP) which is using tonight's (Friday's) annual general meeting to ...
New pre-school building open for business at Netherfield.
May 09, 2008 ... The new Netherfield Pre-School building is open for business. The pre-school has been running out of the village hall for the past five years, but has now moved into it's own premises in the grounds of the village primary school. The building includes an outdoor play ...
Crowhurst blaze 'devestating for birdlife'.
May 09, 2008 ... A blaze which ripped though nearly three acres of reed beds in Crowhurst has been branded devastating for birdlife. Firefighters battled for three hours on Saturday afternoon to control and dampen the fire near Upper Wilting Farm, off Crowhurst Road. The land, which ...
Winchelsea leads the way in helping to slow down speeding motorists.
May 12, 2008 ... A new scheme launched in Winchelsea this month aims to put the brakes on speeding motorists.in the ancient town. Winchelsea will see the launch, on Tuesday May 20, of the first Community Speed Watch scheme in Rother. Community Speed Watch is an initiative sponsored by ...
Playden W.I. celebrates 90 years with an exhibition.
May 12, 2008 ... Playden W.I. held an exhibition to celebrate its 90th birthday at the weekend. Helping to open the exhibition, at the W.I. Hall, was Rye Town Crier Rex Swain, whose mother was a member of Playden W.I. There were photographs and documents charting the history of the ...
Disabled man killed in Netherfield house blaze.
May 12, 2008 ... A disabled man has died following a house fire in Netherfield. Fire crews were called to Netherfield Hill just before 6.50pm yesterday (Sunday) following reports a person was trapped in a remote cottage at Netherfield Place Farm. The 45-year-old, who has not yet been ...
Rye Sailing Club welcomes French yachtsmen.
May 12, 2008 ... Rye Harbour Sailing Club exteded some entente cordial to a group of sailors from France at the weekend. The group of 22, including children, are members of the Cercle de la voile de Dieppe and sailed over to Rye on Saturday. A spokesperson from Rye Harbour Sailing ...
Cliff rescue drama.
May 12, 2008 ... A stranded walker was airlifted to safety from cliffs in the East Hill area on Saturday. A stranded walker was airlifted to safety from cliffs in the East Hill area on Saturday. The Polish man, who lives in London, was heading from Hastings to Pett when he got into ...
Hospice worker crashed car on the way to an emergency.
May 12, 2008 ... A hospice worker crashed her car into an oncoming van as she tried to overtake a bus. Sandra Avery, 48, of Darvel Down, Netherfield, was travelling on the A259 towards Rye after leaving Icklesham when the accident happened. Prosecutor Alison May said: "The bus driver ...
Police appeal over chemical waste at Robertsbridge.
May 12, 2008 ... Police are appealing for information following reports that chemical waste has been dumped in the river at Robertsbridge. This could be by means of a tanker parked up and pumping into the river, looking like it is cleaning the river out, or via a manhole. ...
Bands from across the globe take centre stage at Camber.
May 13, 2008 ... Forty bands from as far away as Australia and China thrilled the four thousand sell out crowd at the All Tomorrows Parties music festival at Camber Sands Holiday camp last weekend. The three day festival returned to its spiritual home after spending a year away in the West ...
All change at Rye Town Council.
May 13, 2008 ... There are changes at Rye Town Council this week as the new council year gets underway. The council's committees re-formed and appointed chairmen and vice-chairmen. Cllr Ian Potter takes over from Cllr Sonia Holmes as chair of policy, resources and general purposes, ...
Auction raises more than [pounds sterling]2,000 for Fairlight Churches.
May 13, 2008 ... An Auction of Promises has raised more than [pounds sterling]2,000 for churches at Fairlight. The well attended event took place at the village hall on Friday evening. The money will help pay for the upkeep of St Andrew's and St Peter's churches. Top lot ...
Villagers dig deep to raise [pounds sterling]4,400 at Catsfield fundriaising auction.
May 13, 2008 ... More than 50 people turned up at Catsfield village hall on Saturday to bid for an amazing 97 lots at a fundraising auction of promises. The lots ranged from a signed England football shirt to three months supply of free range eggs, and every single lot was bid for, raising a ...
State of the Arch.
May 13, 2008 ... There are growing concerns over the state of Rye's Landgate Arch after it was damaged by a lorry two months ago. The historic monument had stones dislodged and two black and gold bollards were destroyed when the foreign registered lorry squeezed through the narrow arch on March ...
A21 crash death man named.
May 13, 2008 ... A man who died after a crash on the A21 has been identified as John Gilroy, 52, of Coneyburrow Gardens, St Leonards. He was seriously injured when the grey Fiat Marea HLX he was driving collided with a red DAF goods vehicle and a Vauxhall Vivaro van at Hurst Green on Wednesday ...
Hot weather results in spate of Fairlight cliff rescues.
May 13, 2008 ... Scorching weekend weather stretched coastguards and lifeboat crews to the limit with three cliff rescues in the Fairlight area in three days. Coastguards were aided by a police dog team on Friday night after a member of the public reported a man calling for help at Fairlight ...
Rye area crime round-up.
May 13, 2008 ... Here is an update of crimes reported in the Rye area at the weekend and this week A UNICYCLE was stolen from a workshop at New Road, Rye, over the weekend. Also taken was a hard hat and drill bits. The theft took place between 4pm on Friday and 9am on ...
Planning inquiry outcome too close to call.
May 13, 2008 ... The outcome of the controversial Udimore Road planning inquiry is too tough to call say councillors. The three day inquiry, in April, heard evidence from developers Aroncorp Ltd who want to overturn a Rother Council decision refusing them permission to build an estate of more ...
Police tell parents not to panic after 'abduction attempt' at Staplecross.
May 13, 2008 ... Police are telling parents not to panic following reports a man tried to entice a teenage girl into his car at Staplecross. The 13-year-old was walking along Cripps Corner Road at 6pm yesterday (Monday), when a man pulled up next to her in a green 4x4. He asked the ...
Rye Harbour Lifeboat goes to aid of stranbded jet-ski.
May 14, 2008 ... Rye Harbour lifeboat went to the aid of a broken down jet-ski off Camber Sands on Sunday. The boat launched at 2pm and was with the stranded jet-ski in ten minutes. It towed the jet-ski, and its two ...
Fire death man named by police.
May 14, 2008 ... A disabled man who died in a house fire at Netherfield has been named by police. David Reader, 45, died in the blaze at White Cottage in the grounds of Netherfield Place Farm, Netherfield Hill on Sunday evening. Mr Reader, who was described as 'profoundly disabled' ...
Rye fishing boat sinks.
May 14, 2008 ... A Rye fishing boat sunk in the river after coming adrift of her moorings. The unoccupied boat Vic Anna drifted under Monkbretton Bridge on Thursday morning and began to take in water. Rye Harbour Lifeboat launched with the aim of carrying out a salvage operation. ...
Bluebell walk at Icklesham.
May 14, 2008 ... Icklesham fund-raisers enjoyed beautiful weather for their annual Bluebell Walk on Sunday. Walkers of all ages took part in three walks throughout the day with ten, five and one mile routes They are hoping to top the [pounds sterling]3,318.50 raised for Macmillan ...