Hidden away on an industrial estate in Winchelsea Beach, wrestlers from across southern England train twice a week in a professional ring at the Black Harbour Club. This week's Ryecast is all about the Extreme Academy of Wrestling. The club is run by Stu Allen - or The Dominator - who explains why he is so passionate about wrestling and helping others to achieve their dreams, plus how the sport has helped him deal with addiction and stress. It's very different from his last full time job as a mortician.  The club opened in Winchelsea Beach last year - you'll find out why on the podcast.Two wrestlers also share their reasons for taking part. Luke Sibson - or F L X - wants to entertain, get fit, and represent the LGBT+ community. When he's not in the ring he's a teacher and also hosts his own podcast dedicated to the Heartstopper tv show. Taylor Leigh - or Lupo - has big ambitions and plenty of success. He lives for wrestling at the weekend and explains how taking part in the sport has got him through the worst of times. There are pictures on the Ryecast website. Full details about Extreme Academy of Wrestling on the Facebook page, and Stu also has has his own podcast. Search for Stiff Right Hand.Ryecast is made in Rye by James Stewart

Stories from around the corner and across the world."Have you talked to Noel Varley?" Most weeks someone will say that to me when I've been looking for people to talk to for Ryecast. He's the subject of this edition of Rye's podcast with stories of growing up in wartime Rye and adventures in far off places. He's a well known face and voice around town, a member of Rye Rotary and local boatbuilder for many years. But, and you may need to sit down at this point, he's actually a Yorkshireman...There's more from Noel at a special event at Rye Community Centre in March. It's been organised by the Rotary Club of Rye & Winchelsea in aid of Rye Heritage Centre between 10 am and 2pm on Saturday March 30. You'll be able to talk to Noel, and see some of his vast collection of photographs. It's £5 entry include tea, coffee and cake.And if you have a suggestion about who to talk to next email me ryecastsussex@gmail.comRyecast is made in Rye by James Stewart

Ryecast is back for 2024, with loads of locals lined up to tell their story. The first proper episode of what’s now series 3 gets published next week, but until then here’s a bonus episode called “I love Rye because…”Over Christmas and New Year Rye News ran a social media campaign sharing some of the many reasons why people love Rye (spoiler alert: it’s the people). It was Natasha Robinson’s idea – she’s the paper’s Instagram whizz. You can hear her suggestion in this week’s Ryecast, as well as ideas from the rest of the Rye News team.So, what’s yours? Why do you love Rye? Me? Thanks for asking! I love Rye because everyone has a story to tell (which is pretty handing if you’re making a podcast). And…because it’s home.Search for Ryecast wherever you get your podcasts or click on www.ryecast.orgRyecast is presented and produced in Rye by James Stewart

This week’s Ryecast is a bit different – it’s a look back at some of the interesting people I’ve talked to in 2023. Just a few of the friends and neighbours I’ve met whilst making the twenty episodes of the podcast this year. Recognise anyone?I’ve recorded Ryecast on the river, on the beach, in a shed, in a garage, and loads of other places around Rye. There have been intimate one on one conversations and chats recorded in the middle of Rye’s big events. I’ve met countless people who’re doing something amazing in Rye and I’ve found out so much more about the town which is now my home. Huge thanks to everyone who has given their time to be interviewed.I thought long and hard about coming up with a big theme for this edition of Ryecast…and then gave up. It’s really nothing more complicated than people who love our town sharing their stories, so that’s what you’ll hear this week. I’ll put a full list of who’s included on the website and I hope you’ll be encouraged to dip into the Ryecast archive, as there are now over 35 episodes up online. Just search for Ryecast wherever you get your podcasts or visit www.ryecast.org.I’ve a long list of locals to talk to in 2024, most of them suggested by Rye News readers or podcast listeners, but do get in touch with anymore ideas. The email is ryecastsussex@gmail.com  Ryecast is presented and produced in Rye by James Stewart

The boxer’s favourite musician on their close bondHe was one of the biggest names of the twentieth century, but for a local musician Muhammad Ali was a close friend and inspiration as they travelled the world together. This week’s Ryecast meets Ali’s favourite songwriter Michel, who lives in Hastings but is recuperating in Rye Hospital at the moment.As part of the podcast there’s some amazing archive featuring both men. A long lost 1970’s tv show “With love from Muhammad Ali” was found a few years ago and shows the close connection between musician and boxer. Michel recounts how the two met, made an album, and chatted about everything else apart from boxing. Although Ali did show him how to throw a punch…Michel was so inspired by Ali’s warmth and generosity he set up a charity www.thekindnessoffensive.com which aims to help others through small & large acts of random kindness.I’ve put links to the tv show and Michel’s music on the podcast website www.ryecast.org  It’s well worth a watch to see the most famous sportsman of the last century and the genuine relationship he had with Michel.Thanks to Rye Hospital for getting in touch with Michel's story and to his son David Goodfellow (Muhammad Ali was his godfather) for setting up the interview

Every Thursday evening the Creative Centre – the old school – on New Road in Rye is filled with the sound of joyful singing. Ryecast joined the fifty or so people putting in some last-minute practice ahead of a special performance by The Marsh Choir outside The George on the High Street, as part of the Rye’s late-night shopping.I listened in on rehearsals to hear some of the stories of the people in the choir, and their leader Carly Bryant. Everyone taking part has their own reasons for joining in - for some it’s a chance to make friends, for others it’s the joy of singing to lift spirits after a long day. And as you’ll hear on the podcast, it’s a much-needed sense of community for many of the singers, bringing together friends and neighbours.The Marsh Choir was set up by Carly Bryant, with branches all across the Romney Marsh and some world-famous celebrity supporters. The local groups come together for some huge performances at the Cathedral of The Marsh in Lydd, with new members always welcome to sing from a repertoire of pop and rock, as well as the classics. To find out more visit https://www.marshchoir.com and do watch them in action on Saturday evening 18th November outside The George in Rye as part of www.ryechristmasfestival.co.ukRyecast is presented and produced in Rye by James Stewart

James Foster will always remember Saturday November 11 2023. It’ll mark his first Rye Bonfire as Chairman of the team that has been working hard for months to make this year’s event happen. He’s been telling Ryecast about the challenges of putting on such an important night in Rye and how proud he is of continuing his family’s involvement over many decades. “I think I must have been about ten when I went to my first Rye Bonfire. I remember wearing a long black coat and a black top hat. It was a load of fun, and even then, I knew it was part of a big tradition in Rye. A big privilege to be part of it, and it still is.” His ambition is to make the event even more family friendly, moving the start time of the bonfire and fireworks an hour earlier this year, and welcoming the closure of the train station for the night. “The town does get very crowded, and as much as we love visitors coming to Rye, we’re also keen that local people get a good spot to see the procession and enjoy the evening. So calming things down a bit but keeping the traditions of the past.” On the evening, the Sussex bonfire societies parade through the town ending at The Salts where a boat is burnt on a huge bonfire, followed by fireworks. And he can’t wait. “It’s the satisfaction of putting on a successful event and everyone enjoying themselves I look forward to. When we’re clearing up what’s left of the bonfire on a cold morning it’s good to remember the happy faces of people in Rye.”You can hear more about how James Foster sees Rye Bonfire, past and present, on this week’s edition of the Ryecast. For the full timetable of this year’s pageant visit www.ryebonfire.co.ukRyecast is presented and produced in Rye by James Stewart

Ryecast: How you can help the hospital at the top of the hill.I’ve driven past Rye Hospital so many times, but possibly like many I haven't really much of an idea what goes on there. For this weeks Ryecast I’ve had the chance to find out more - and to hear about an innovative team thinking big. There’s some impressive ambition at the top of Rye Hill which our town should be really proud of, as you’ll hear on the podcast. In the staff rest area, I’ve been talking to Fran Clent who’s the company secretary of the charity that runs the hospital with the NHS, and Jacky Dudfield the vice chair of the hospital’s trustees and chair of the League of Friends.  As well as hearing about the century’s old tradition of healthcare on the site, we look ahead to the future. The new Hub is now up and running, work on a new care home starts next year, and there’s an ambition to bring a minor injuries unit to the hospital, as well as taking the charity to the next level with the appointment of a CEO. Feeling inspired to help?  I hope you will be too after listening to the podcast. Our hospital needs more volunteers to work in reception, fundraise, organise events, sort out the gardens and especially spend time talking to patients, some of whom don't get many visitors. If you'd like to find out more email francesca@ryehospital.org.uk. There's loads about the hospital history at www.ryehospital.org.uk. You can hear Ryecast wherever you get your podcasts - just search for Ryecast - or visit www.ryecast.org.Ryecast is presented & produced in Rye by James Stewart

Meet Charlie Harkness. Known around town as a former editor of Rye News, he’s also served as a Rye Town Councillor, but there’s so much more to talk about. After a long career in journalism, he made the move into comms and ended up working in Westminster for successive governments. On this week’s Ryecast there are stories about the press & politics, together with tales of some infamous Whitehall parties (not the one’s you’re thinking about). There are big stories and big characters, along with a fascination with Rye’s history and the reasons behind his drive to make the most out of life.Charlie’s edition of the podcast is Ryecast number 25. Why not have a dig around in the archive to hear more stories about the people and places that make Rye so special.Ryecast is produced and presented in Rye by James Stewart

What a brilliant day in Rye! Hundreds of visitors enjoying the re-enactment of the day 450 years ago when Queen Elizabeth the first visited our town. As in 1573, a procession made it's way through Rye, this time though it was led by actors from Rye Players, town crier Paul Goring, the Sing It Out choir, the Rye Herrings shanty group and, of course, the Ryebellion Drummers. Along the way, there was singing, speeches and stories - and this week's Ryecast celebrates the day's events, talking to some of those taking part, locals & visitors enjoying the spectacle, and finding out more about the history thanks to the Rye Heritage Centre.And there's more than you could ever want to know about bloaters. You'll understand when you listen...Ryecast is presented & produced by Rye resident James Stewart @ryecastsussex ryecastsussex@gmail.com

Would you know how to help someone having a heart attack? Thousands of people around Rye do, thanks to Rother Responders - a fantastic local charity that’s just put in place its 20th defibrillator. The machine has been installed at Suttons on Sea Road Winchelsea Beach and to mark the occasion Rother Responders held a  session to teach local people (and me) how to use it.The charity, which also recruits volunteers to help the emergency services, has placed defibrillators all around Rye and the surrounding villages. It’s encouraging locals to get to know how the kit works in the hope of saving more lives.This week’s Ryecast talks to volunteers and trainees. If you’d like to know more about the charity – and where to find a local defibrillator – visit www.rotherresponders.org.uk.  Look out for their fundraisers too, as each kit costs £1500 to buy and £150 to maintain each year.Ryecast is presented and produced by Rye resident James Stewart.

It’s amazing what you hear when you really listen. That’s what the latest edition of Ryecast  is all about, with a special podcast featuring recordings made around Rye. Mostly just the wildlife. A twenty minute montage of birds, bees, sheep, wind, rain, and a few dogs too.The soundcape is part of the SongMaps Rye project which has seen local people collaborate with artists to tell the story of climate change. There’s art, poetry, music, and in this podcast – sound. I made the recordings on a walk from home on Udimore Road to the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve a few days ago. You’ll hear the birds in my back garden, more birds at Cadborough Cliff and by the railway line, the sound of a heavy downpour on Mermaid Street, the sheep in the fields next to the harbour road, and then more wildlife in the reserve itself.For the techies it was recorded on a Zoom HN4 Pro in stereo, so you’ll hear bees and insects buzzing from left to right and the trains darting in and out of range. Plus the train horns. Lots of train horns.So headphones on. It’s twenty minutes to relax and surround yourself with what Rye sounds like with no people…apart from the man with the chainsaw chopping branches on the 1066 Walk...You can hear Ryecast wherever you get your podcasts or visit www.ryecast.org.Ryecast is presented and recorded by Rye resident James Stewart ryecastsussex@gmail.com

Beach yoga is on the agenda for this week’s Ryecast as I join Joanna Allen from “The Humble Warrior” for one of her classes on Camber Sands. She’s back in Rye after some huge life changes which have seen her leave behind a highly stressed job in fashion and replace it with teaching meditation and mindfulness. She says: “From what I was doing then to what I’m doing now, I’m totally unrecognisable. It’s so different but so much better.”After the class we grab a coffee at Camber Landing as Jo tells me about how the nature around Rye inspires her, leaving the stresses of London life behind, and how she enjoys helping others through her sessions. As well as yoga on the beach, there’s a yurt in Appledore where she hosts retreats including full moon ceremonies. She tells me she doesn’t miss her old lifestyle. "I’d just come back from a gruelling trip and discovered a new yoga class setting up at the end of my road. I knew things needed to change, so I gave it a go. And here I am now!”You can hear more about Jo’s journey, and how I got on with my first yoga class (spoiler alert: I'm not very supple...), on this week’s Ryecast podcast Find out more about Jo Allen, beach yoga and her retreats here https://www.the-humblewarrior.co.uk/Namaste.

As promised, this edition of Ryecast features more stories from Diana Patten. Last time it was all about flying – even now in her late eighties she’s still flying and earlier this year she took to the skies above Rye in a spitfire. There are more stories about speed – this time on land and at sea – in this podcast, but first it’s all about her family, her childhood, and a very famous schoolfriend.Read more about Diana in Rye NewsRyecast is presented and produced by Rye resident James Stewart. Search for Ryecast to find all the previous episodes or visit www.ryecast.org. What’s your story? Email ryecastsussex@gmail.com

Diana Patten is just the best company. Full of fascinating stories. So much so I’ve two episodes about her exciting life. She’s a pilot and even now in her late eighties she’s still flying – just last week she was up in the skies high above Rye…doing aerobatics too. A real pioneer - though she says she isn't - Diana has been responsible for generations of pilots learning to fly at Headcorn airfield in KentThe second episode it’s all about her family, holidays in pre-war Germany and a famous school friend, but this edition is about her life as a pilot and her travels all over the world. I’ve been talking to Diana at her home near Rye.  The second part of our interview comes out next week.Read more about Diana in Rye NewsRyecast is presented and produced by Rye resident James Stewart. Search for Ryecast to find all the previous episodes or visit www.ryecast.org. What’s your story? Email ryecastsussex@gmail.com

When you wake up tomorrow, Miriam McGuirk will have already been up for hours working in her shed in Valley Park in Rye. She calls it her writing shack – a place to escape to when she’s writing and blogging.  Her latest book “Second Chances” was partly written here, as she’s been telling me on the latest edition of Ryecast. We also discuss her childhood in Ireland, her love of outdoor swimming, and why her own second chance helped her be more Miriam. It’s an emotional interview, with some wise advice for you if you're also struggling to make a change in your life.You can find more about Miriam and "Second Chances" on her website https://miriammcguirk.com/ and there's more in this Rye News articleRyecast is presented & produced by Rye resident James Stewart www.ryecast.org @ryecastsussex ryecastsussex@gmail.com

Ryecast this week is all about the police in Rye with an interview with Chief Inspector Jay Mendis-Gunasekera, the Sussex Police Area Commander for Hastings & Rother. He’s been telling James Stewart about his team, his priorities and how he thinks policing has changed for the better.Plus there are questions from Rye News readers about the uncertain future of Rye police station, tackling crime & anti-social behaviour, drug taking, and confidence in the police following recent scandals in London.A detective with 22 years service, he now leads a team of 65 officers and staff looking after policing across Rye and much of East Sussex. He says he’s invested in helping the most vulnerable in the community, and talks about his work on the child protection team and how an eight year old boy showed him how he was making a difference to people’s lives.You can find the statistics about crime in Rye here and here’s the link to the Rye News articleWhat's your story? Get in touch @ryecastsussex on social media or ryecastsussex@gmail.com on email

The big showbiz past of Rye's small business rep.Lee Harrington is a lot lighter these days, but back in the day, our local lead for the Federation of Small Businesses used to weigh forty stone, becoming well known for his acting, modelling and dancing. He’s been telling me about working with the likes of Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis and Michael Caine on this week's Ryecast.As well as starring in TV commercials, Lee was part of a novelty dance group called The Blobbindales - an act based on The Chippendales only much larger.  The podcast is full of Lee’s showbiz stories and memories, as he looks back on his life in the spotlight which includes performing with Fat Les singing “Vindaloo” on Top of the Pops. Another TV show saw him singing with Lionel Richie - even though he says he can hardly sing a note.Now running a party balloon company in East Sussex, Lee helps some of Rye’s small firms through his work with the FSB. If you want to know more about the local work of the FFSB emaillee.harrington@fsb.org.uk.Ryecast is produced & presented by James Stewart @ryecastsussex & www.ryecast.org

Sometimes making the pod I have genuinely no idea about what I'll end up talking to local people about. That's why I love Ryecast. In theory this episode is all about the first Rye Arts & Crafts Fair, but as well as hearing from the creatives and makers manning the stalls in the Community Centre about their work, we end up discussing so much more. Not least our love of Rye. And scary dolls. And neutering cats. And the Knights of the Round Table. As you do.Plus a chat with Jackie Brooks, the organizer of the Fair. Another Ryer who had a brilliant idea and went for it.Pics at www.ryecast.orgIf you want to get involved in the next Fair email Jackie RyeArtsandCraftsFair@gmail.comFor Terry Davies wood work visit www.terrencedavieswoodartist.co.ukLarry Wilson and his pots is @wilsonpottery on istagramIt's www.facebook.com/ndriverart for Naomi DriverAnd Jane Fenn can be reached @miniatureheadmuseum on InstagramRyecast is presented and produced by James Stewart ryecastsussex@gmail.com

Meet the artists behind SongMaps RyeWith most arts projects you kind of know what’s going to happen from the outset. SongMaps Rye is a bit different. Not only is it all about how Rye continues to be affected by climate change, there really isn’t a plan of what will be created - at least not yet. There will be though, as we'll find out in July. On this week’s Ryecast, I’ve been meeting the artists who’re working with local people to collaborate and create something special.I joined one of their events at Tilling Green Community Centre as Andy Dinsdale from Strandliners explained how his work on the local seashore gives him first-hand experience of Rye’s changing environment. He’s one of the experts helping the team understand what’s happening in a series of workshops over the next couple of months. For writer and eco poet Morgan the changing climate is something she’s all too familiar with at home in Rye Harbour. She hopes SongMaps Rye will give local people a voice. “Hearing other people’s views and transforming them creatively and artistically really excites me.”It’s not just about poetry, artists and musicians have also been brought together in Rye by two London based arts organisations.  as you’ll hear on this week’s Ryecast - along with an explanation about what a song map is. Ryecast is presented and produced by James Stewart www.ryecast.org @ryecastsussex