Rye, Mermaid Street c.1955

Photo ref: R77032

I used to come to Rye regularly in the 1960s, as my father had been stationed in Winchelsea for part of the war. We often made the journey from Surrey on a Bank Holiday, which was always very busy. Little did I dream then that I would actually come to live and work in the town. I was based in Iden and Playden in the 1990s and after 18 years as a vicar in Bexhill, I returned to become the Rector of St Mary's Church. Fabulous place to visit, and it's great to live here too!

My ancestors are the Braziers from Rye and were coal merchants and wool staplers. We often visit the town especially around Landgate where they once lived. Many Braziers are buried in the All Saints and St Mary's Parish Church and I wonder if any Braziers still live in the town?

I have a great-grandfather and several of his brothers who went to this grammar school in the 1830s and 1840s and they all had very nice writing with perfect copperplate. So maybe the severity on the outside was reflected in the teaching on the inside. My great-grandfather wrote with a quill pen on paper and I wonder whether anyone knows whether he used a quill at school. He knew a lot about New Zealand before he ...see more

I lived in Rye till i was 11. I still class it as home even though Im 30 now and I miss the place like crazy. Maybe one day I will convince my other half to bring me home.