Bygone Rye

On 13th April 1963 a hot air balloon left The Salts in Rye, destined for France.

Although several crossings of The Channel had been made before using balloons and airships, these were all filled with a lifting gas like helium or hydrogen. This attempt, by Don Piccard and Ed Yost, was the first to cross The Channel using nothing but hot air for lift.

The balloon landed at Gravelines, near Calais.

This building in probably known to many of you as 'The Oasis' and I'm sure you've got many tales and memories to tell !!

Rye United football team in 1968.

A view of Rye High Street - probably 1950s?

On the left is C.J. & F. Clark - Tobacconist and Hairdresser. The next shop along was Waghorn's fruit and veg shop. After that, came the Rye Mutual Building Society, Midland Bank and Adams

Did you know that Mermaid Street in Rye is said to be the most photographed street in the UK?

Here are a few people out for a stroll in 1955

Throwing of the Hot Pennies from the balcony of the George Hotel, in 1949, with Rye's new mayor, Harry Schofield

NORTH SALTS was built off Military Road in the late 1960s.
Georgain-style 2 and 3 bedroom homes, with a garage, from just £4,495

M&M Blackman at 21 Landgate
known to most of us as Blackman's.

I can remember as a child being given 10 pence to spend on sweets; getting a little paper bag and selecting cola bottles, shrimps, fried eggs, chocolate mice, boot laces, flying saucers etc.
What are your memories on Blackman's?

Credit: Photo used with the permission of Trevor Blackman

In March 1930, Home and Colonial opened a new grocery store at 16 High Street Rye (where Sue Ryder charity shop now is).

Here are two adverts from March 1930, as printed in the Bexhill Observer.

A stroll down the High Street
in 1907.