Why is the putting green closing?

Unfortunately neither the bowling nor putting greens have been available to the public on weekdays during this Summer as the shed for hiring out equipment and taking green-fees was unmanned. Following complaints on this matter to Rother District Council the shed is now open and in spite of the children being back at school both greens are again being used and visitors are expressing great pleasure that at last they can once again enjoy these amenities.

I have talked to several of them and realise that one of their frequent pleasures is to come to Rye, do some shopping and sight seeing, have a go on the putting or bowls green and then adjourn to the town for lunch or tea. Can Rye afford to disappoint these people? There are precious few amenities here to entertain the visitors. If this one is denied them many will not come again.

I have been assured that takings from the shed (in previous years, when it was open everyday during the Summer holidays) easily out stripped the wages of the hut-keeper. So why close a steady earner? Especially one that brings such benefits to the town.

Although possibly not used much by the towns folk the putting green is an important amenity for the visitors upon whom Rye depends.

SUSAN BOWER

Meryon Court, Rye