A Brief History of Rye market.

April 2001 The Rother Environment Group (REG) committee  decides they should have another attempt at launching a Farmers Market in Rye. Christopher Strangeways (committee member ) is delegated to see what can be done. 

June 2001: After taking soundings from local producers and customers a meeting is held at the River Haven Hotel to which about 12 local producers are invited. It had already seemed that Wednesday was going to be the chosen day as most producers were already occupied on Saturdays and Rolvenden was well established for Thursday and Brede on Friday. Some discussion took place as to whether it should be monthly or weekly and where the best location would be. We had spoken to the Rye Cattle Market Company about holding our market on the old cattle market site. This market had closed because of foot and mouth and was unlikely to re-open.  (The future of the site remains uncertain and we still hope to be able to move there one day). As an alternative we looked at the car park between the warehouses on Strand Quay. Local retailers were consulted and were generally found to be in support, we also approached the Environment Agency about using the quayside. We discussed our plans with the Rye Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council who were both very supportive. We also discussed our market with the Women's Institute who hold a successful market in the Community Centre each Friday. Although they were concerned about the impact of the Farmers Market they had no objection to us having a go. 

July 25th 2001: Financing is sought to hold a series of Pilot Markets. With the help of Tracy Goldsmith and the Rye Partnership we obtain a grant from the small grants committee of the Rural Priority Area. The Rother Environment Group agrees to bear the rest of the initial costs and the the first of 3 pilot market takes place not in the car park but on the Strand Quay - which belongs to the Environment Agency. The major cost at this stage is the hire of stalls from Hailsham Market. However we were very grateful to Hailsham Market and Michael Vine, who brought over the stalls, for helping us get off the ground.

Autumn 2001: The Pilot markets are counted as a success and the market continues. A committee is formed and the Rye Farmers Market officially established as an independent body with its own constitution and rules. REG hands over the responsibility to the new body.  Plans are drawn up to move to the Community Centre for the winter but this idea is rejected by the stall holders who opt to stay on the quay. The use of the quay is formalised with the Environment Agency and a modest rent agreed. Planning permission is applied for as the number of markets held  approaches the maximum permitted without planning permission. Christopher acquires new stalls and a trailer and rents them to the market. Alan and Brian Gibson agree to bring the stalls and set them up on the day using their own Landover. The committee decide to seek funding in order to buy the stalls and trailer outright.

Spring 2002: Assisted by Liz Downs and the Sussex Rural Community Council an application to SEEDA is made for a grant to buy the stalls and we are delighted to be offered £5000. The stalls and the trailer are purchased from Christopher. Part of the understanding is that the stalls will be made  available to local community and not for profit organisations at a low rent. As part of our search for funding we approach some local businesses and are delighted when the Rye Observer and the NatWest Bank agree to become sponsors of the market. Bournes also generously offer us the free use of their car park which makes life very much easier for all the stall holders. Planning permission is granted for 5 years.

Summer 2002: Some of the busiest markets have taken place recently and we have decided to add a few local craft stalls every other week

We are now looking forward to the run up to Christmas and with some trepidation the long winter months.  Thanks to all our regular customers, who seem to be a hardy lot, we hope to see it through and  hope the market continues to grow.