Rye Christmas Festival 2009

Neil Cunliffe organised the running of the event this year. His aim was to replicate the good work established previously and to build on the promotion of the Festival to encourage more visitors to the magical town of Rye.

This year the proceeds are going to The Oliver Curd Trust, a local charity set up in memory of a young boy from Peasmarsh who tragically lost his fight for life after contracting a rare form of bone cancer. The month long calendar of events encompasses all that is traditional at this time of year.

Carol concerts and coffee mornings, Father Christmas in his grotto and a street game of mayhem and madness in the ancient town of Winchelsea.

The Festival committee secured £22,000 in revenue from advertising, sponsorship, grants from local Councils and a dedicated Christmas Gala Dinner and Raffle held at The Place at the Beach. The money raised provides for the promotion of the Rye Christmas Festival, putting up and taking down of the Christmas Lights, the family fun day including Father Christmas, street entertainment, the Grotto and presents for the children, and fireworks.

This year has been fantastic, and it is hoped that 2010 will be even better.

Related images

1.Town Crier and Cheeky Baboon	2. Father Xmas arrives by boat	3.Crowds await eagerly
4. Car journey to town centre	5. Street jugglers	6. Visitors in costume
7. Parade of fancy dress	8. Christmas Tree Lanterns	9.Hand made by school children
10.More colourful lanterns	11. Drummers	12. Three Kings
13.Rye High Street scene	14.Neil keeping a watchful eye