Christmas magic comes to Rye

Father Christmas got the festivities underway when he arrived by boat at Strand Quay before climbing into a carriage pulled by magnificent shire horses to lead a procession around the town.

The procession featured drummers from Rye College, students from Rye Studio School and the Buckswood School Pipe Band.

Neil Cunliffe, from Rye Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was great fun. We had good crowds at Strand Quay when Father Christmas arrived.

“There was lots of street entertainment and it was a fantastic effort to get the lights up in the town. We had a very small team this year.”

At the end of the day Father Christmas departed in a pink Cadillac car driven by Rudolph. But the jolly old gent will be back in Rye again this weekend when he takes up residence in his grotto at Rye Museum from 3.30pm - 6pm. There will also be groups around the town singing carols and Christmas songs.

Visitors to Rye can again enjoy free parking this weekend in Rother Council controlled car parks.

Craft Magic, at Conduit Hill, will be running a free Christmas craft session on Saturday from 1pm - 4.30pm.

Full details of the ongoing Christmas Festival can be found at ryechristmas.org.uk.