Romney Marsh Concert Series Finale

The series of classical music concerts on the Marsh organised annually by the charity Jam finishes this weekend with two concerts; Friday 12th July at All Saints Church Lydd and Saturday 13th July at ST Mary in the Marsh.

Onyx Brass at St Mary's Rye

Onyx Brass, who have been described as 'The classiest brass ensemble in the UK' are giving a concert at St Mary's Church Rye on Friday (5th July) evening at 7.30pm.

Annual Classical Concert series on the Marsh and now in Rye thsi Friday!

The JAM Concert Series which each year features classical music at venues on Romney Marsh this year offers a concert on Friday 5th July at 7.30pm in St Mary's Church in Rye featuring Onyx Brass playing music from Gabrieli to Gershwin.

Launch now on 14th July

Sunday 14th July is the new Official Launch Day of the 2013 Rye Arts Festival. Friends, Members & Sponsors of the Festival will be invited to an afternoon party at the St Mary's Centre in Rye's Lion Street, where the full programme will be announced followed by drinks and nibbles.

The Launch Event date has been brought back from 7th July, which was announced at January's AGM, so as not to clash with the Men's Final at Wimbledon, which might have British involvement.

The new date, does of course, clash with Bastille Day, but all revolutionaries and and republicans are welcome in Rye!

Rye Arts Festival 2013

The Rye Arts Festival programme will be announced on 14th July.  To be kept up to date with information sign up on our website and put the following dates in your diary: 14th to 29th September 2013.

Prince William Laid Bare in Rye

The talk on Wednesday at Rye Arts Festival by Royal biographer Penny Junor on her new book on Prince William gave some insight into the 30-year-old helicopter pilot, his poorly-clad brother and their parents. We were assured that both princes really are well-rounded, normal lads, and that William, according to Royal insiders, really is the wild one - he just doesn't get caught (with his pants down, smoking weed, dressing in Nazi uniform or any other of Harry's other faux pas). And given their tragic childhood they've done remarkably well.

What we didn't find out, after audience questions, was what William calls the duchess of Cambridge in private - Kate or Catherine? An old sea dog asked why both princes carry the surname Wales. Penny wasn't sure. Given it isn't their father's surname, it is a bit odd. And neither has a title that might lead them to shorten their moniker to their demesne. Oh well.

The Partridge Family Meal

Great start to the Festival. On Saturday Plainsong played their penultimate gig after 40 years together - a great evening with people coming from as far as Coventry to see them.

Adam Nicolson gave a fascinating and funny talk on the English gentry - something he can speak authoritatively about as he is one of them! Top tip from his father on how to tell whether someone truly is a member of the gentry - it's knowing how to make one partridge feed six for supper! Not a challenge I've ever faced or likely to do so.

Hunky baritone Duncan Rock gave a sublime recital at St Anthony's RC Church, beautifully accompanied by Elizabeth Rossiter on piano. Only disappointment for some of the audience was that he kept his shirt on throughout!

To find out more about the feast of pleasures that are coming to the Rye Arts Festival, which runs right through to 30th September, click here or call the Box Office on 01797 224442 between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

And for tips on how to cook game (including Partridge) click on Fowl