Conservation Society hold garden party

RYE Conservation Society held its annual garden party recently at Little Orchard House in West Street.

It was an opportunity to enjoy one of Rye’s larger private gardens, which contains the so-called Smugglers Tower - a four-storey

18th century tower.

The sun shone brightly all afternoon as members of the Society, curious Ryers and visitors to the town enjoyed the walled thanks to the owners, Andy and Niki Stuart.

People who had travelled from far and wide attended the party including a pair from Lewes who fairly regularly visit Rye and a young couple from Sarawak in Malaysia who were on their first trip to the town.

As well as having a rare chance to view the garden people were served a lavish cream tea which was largely produced by Jen Tomkinson, overseen by Rae Festing.

“We were delighted so many people came,” said John Griffiths, Chairman of Rye Conservation Society. “and they were rewarded with a lovely afternoon. The garden looked a picture, the ‘smugglers tower’ was splendid, the chatter was convivial and the cream tea was really beyond compare.

“The Society would like to thank Jen for making such a superb array of cakes and scones, plus Rae for all her hard work.”

The new Vice President of the Society, Kenneth Bird, and his wife Margaret attended as well as one of the Society’s founders, a former Mayor of Rye, Geraldine Bromley.