Rye community stalwart Jimper Sutton dies

The life president of Rye Bonfire Society and community stalwart Jimper Sutton died after a battle with cancer on Monday (June 20), aged 72.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jun 2016, 10:27 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:58 BST

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Jimper Sutton (right) with the late John Izod at the Battle Bonfire Boyes presentation in 2012. Photo by Terry Russell ENGSUS00120120925120635Jimper Sutton (right) with the late John Izod at the Battle Bonfire Boyes presentation in 2012. Photo by Terry Russell ENGSUS00120120925120635
Jimper Sutton (right) with the late John Izod at the Battle Bonfire Boyes presentation in 2012. Photo by Terry Russell ENGSUS00120120925120635

The society paid tribute to the former Rother District Councillor and fisherman from Winchelsea Beach saying he will be sadly missed by everybody who knew him.

“Bonfire parades throughout Sussex can never be the same without Jimper and his ubiquitous parrot,” the society’s newsletter said.

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Jimper was a well-known character in the Rye area having served as a councillor for 16 years and being a central part of the town’s bonfire night celebrations.

Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009
Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009

The father-of-three collected hundreds of pounds for charity for the bonfire society over the years, dressed in his distinctive pirate’s outfit, complete with parrot on his shoulder.

Jimper also wrote a series of books on his memories of growing up in the Rye area and sold them to raise funds for the society.

He was one of the last keddle net fishermen on the Sussex coast, using a shore-based fishing technique that dates back to the Norman Conquest.

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Jimper also once used a pitchfork to fight off an intruder who broke into his home at night.

Jimper fought off an intruder with a pitchfork in 2008Jimper fought off an intruder with a pitchfork in 2008
Jimper fought off an intruder with a pitchfork in 2008

Rye Community Transport dedicated a bus to Jimper in a special ceremony outside Rye Town Hall in March, 2015.

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Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009
Jimper at Rye Goes Rock in 2009
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