Creative event boostfor new Rye school

The Made in Rye Event, last Saturday, began the countdown to the new school opening in September and saw people packing into the hall at Rye College.

Former Rye MP and chairman of Rye Studio School Patrons, Jacqui Lait described the school as “the most innovative and exciting project for Rye and the South East for decades.”

Current MP Amber Rudd has also given her backing to the new school and said: “Good luck to the Rye Studio School, a fantastic new initiative for our young people in Rye”.

The event used the artistic heritage of Rye as a theme for the decoration; John Botterill supplied a fishing boat, students created a flotilla of model boats, flotsam and jetsam, whilst the dining tables were decorated with native flowers, sea shells and candles by Atlanta Bartlett and Elsbeth Rankin.

Artists donating works included: Steve Duffy, Davida Smith, MartinHargreaves and A Lincoln Taber.

Local company Entertainments Workshop, which will be working closely with the new school when it opens, provided colourful lighting effects.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, created by Juliet Bidwell and her team, whilst entertainment was provided by talented singers and performers from Rye.

Tom Pickering played the restored Wurlitzer theatre organ.

Auctioneer Martin Phillips encouraged guests to bid for donated items and the evening finished with a dance to the sound of Chris Anderson.

The new school will be the first of its kind to open in the South East and will see students taking placements with creative industries alongside studying academic subjects.

Rye College principal Ann Cockerham believes the new school will prepare students for the workplace and help reduce the number of young people finding themselves unemployed.