Rye Annual Gathering Weekend

Around eighty members managed to explore the locations of all the Sussex Lone Pine stories this weekend. Our indoor activities took place within the Mermaid Hotel which was the inspiration behind the Gay Dolphin Hotel. On Friday a group walked to Camber Castle where the Warrenders first met the Mortons. This encounter was read to us as we basked in the sun at the top of the bank overlooking the wall. In the evening we had a talk on the author Sheila Kaye-Smith who Malcolm Saville read and enjoyed as an adolescent and who later influenced his work.

On Saturday we visited Winchelsea Church where we were greeted by the rector and saw the book of remembrance which had been turned to the page showing the entries for Malcolm and Dorothy Saville. A walk took us past Chelsea Cottage where they lived and to the site of St Leonard's windmill where Jon met Slinky Grandon in The Gay Dolphin Adventure. The coaches then took us through the Isle of Oxney where Treasure at Amorys was set and then on to The Elusive Grasshopper territory for lunch at The Ship Inn, which was renamed The Fishing Boat in the story. From here we took the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway to Dungeness where there was time to climb the old lighthouse for a better view, have a cup of tea or follow bogus bird watchers to the site of the old school.

In the evening, we returned to The Mermaid for a fabulous feast and had a quiz on local knowledge, observation and the books. Afterwards there was the opportunity to look at, and perhaps buy, some of the many books brough along by Colin Harding.

Our AGM took place in The Mermain on Sunday morning. Mark O'Hanlon who founded the Society is stepping down from the committee after nine years but will continue as an active member. We had a chance to thank him for many years of hard work and to wish him a happy birthday. In the afternoon Robin and Pip Saville kindly invited members to their home for tea. This concluded what had been a most interesting and enjoyable weekend.

Camber Castle

Winchelsea Church

Hercules on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway