Ryecast

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 y...

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...

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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 t...

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...

The boxer’s favourite musician on their close bond

He 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 clos...

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...

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...

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 Cle...

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 behin...