On leaving Rye we travelled along the south coast through East Sussex using the A 27, past the Falmer Stadium (known as the Amex) on Brighton’s outskirts, just before the turning for Lewes, the county town.

I didn’t see any Art Deco but there was a War Memorial, perched on a traffic island halfway up the High Street.

It’s topped by a winged figure of Victory. Apart from the dedication, the shields attached to the base of the memorial bear Great War names:-

From north:-

The right-hand shield at the bottom here has the dedication, “In memory of the men of Lewes who died for their country and for mankind n the Great War 1914-1918.” The column above it is inscribed, “Likewise remember those of this town who gave their lives in the war 1939-1945.” The rectangular plaque has names for World War 2:-

From west:-

From east. The column is inscribed, “This was their finest hour” and again the rectangular plaque has WW2 names:-

From the top of Ypres Tower (Rye Castle) there is a view across the River Rother – into which the River Tillingham flows just by the Tower – out to the sea. As seen in this photo.

Turning left to look east the building in the foreground below used to be a Women’s Prison:-

The Ypres Castle Inn also lies just below the Tower:-

I mentioned before that Ypres Tower is a museum. As well as containing exhibits relating to the history of Rye – including a relief map showing how the sea used to lap around the town in Roman Times and its gradual retreat thereafter – there is a broadsword from which part of the Cross of Sacrifice in British War Cemeteries was modelled by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Our furthest flung destination in September last year was Rye in East Sussex. The good lady had always wanted to visit as she is a keen fan of E F Benson’s Mapp and Lucia books and they were set in Rye where Benson lived for a long time. He in fact became mayor of the town.

Benson called his fictional town Tilling, naming it after the (very tidal) River Tillingham which flows through the town and on whose banks our hotel stood.

River Tillingham (and River Haven Hotel, the main building over the river):-

Bellwatch Lane, Rye. I believe this bell was set up here to warn of French invaders:-

Last September we made a trip down south, mainly for the good lady finally to see Rye in East Sussex.

However, our first stop was at Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden, Flintshire, Wales. Yes, it was William Ewart Gladstone‘s Library (his second in fact, his first was a tin tabernacle on the same site) but it also now doubles as a hotel and meeting/conference site.

Stitch of main building frontage:-

Ground floor corridor to Gladstone Room:-

On the wall of the Gladstone Room was a photograph of the original tin tabernacle library:-

Gladstone Room:-

The other end of the corridor leads to the Theology Room where Gladstone’s books on Theology are kept:-