Rye Observer Comment

Sunday’s Raft Race saw the biggest crowd ever enjoying an afternoon of fun and entertainment and all for a good cause.

This week we bring you an extensive preview of the first Rye International Jazz Festival – something that it is hoped will become a popular annual event.

And there is more on the horizon with the town gearing up for the Rye Maritime Festival next Sunday and the 41st Rye Arts Festival set to carry on a wave of culture and high quality entertainment well into September.

It is also great news that the School Creative Centre, home to 36 talented artists, many of who exhibit internationally, has had its lease renewed by East Sussex County Council.

All this hot on the heels of news that Rye is in line to get a new arts centre and cinema.

Now all we need is more good weather to help reinforce the feel-good factor.

No-one in Rye will be wanting their loved ones to travel 30 miles to Eastbourne for emergency surgery – but that could be the harsh reality if proposed health service plans come to fruition.

More than 80 people went along to a public consultation at Rye’s Tilling Green Community Centre on Tuesday.

We can’t help feeling there would have been a lot more if the NHS Trust organisers had not held it in the day when many are at work.