Rye Harbour Image Library

Picture No:	224
Courtesy of:	Barry Yates
Year:	2007

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Rye Harbour Garage

The village garage has been sold and there is now a planning application for 3 or 4 houses.
Picture Added on 22 February 2007.

Comments

A very sad day to see and hear of the sale of my Uncle's old garage. Together with Bert Hedgler he built it up over the years, as well as running a taxi business from the same site. Eventually, he bought Bert Hedgler out, and became the sole owner. I see from the photo that the petrol pumps have long gone, which was one of garage's main sources of income. Then Jim took to selling cars as well as carrying our car repair and servicing. It became quite a thriving business over the years. With the death of Laurie Band, Jim's son-in-law, and then Jim, I suppose that it was only a matter of time before the business closed forever. I can still remember how the local men folk used to gather in the garage Sunday morning discussing business, the village and politics.

I can still remember the 3rd of Sept 1939 as if it was only yesterday, when Jim's daughter Joy rushed to say the PM was about to broadcast to the nation at 11 am. Jim switched on the garage radio, and at 11am Neveille Chamberlain told the nation, "Because neither Britain nor France had heard from Herr Hitler over the demand for Germany to cease invading Poland, we were now at war." There was a deathly silence in the garage, Joy burst into tears and everybody set off for their homes wondering what would happen next. Being just six years old, I started making wooden toy battleships back at home, thinking that I could help the war effort - how strange young minds work!
Added by Michael J. Doust on 26 February 2007.

It is a sad looking place, but if I look at it long enought I can still see the pumps and grandad at the door. I remember riding my bike down that hill at the side. It doesnt look so long and big now.
Added by Barbara Graham nee Hill on 25 May 2008.

I would like to thank Michael for putting this picture on the site, as it bought two friends togeter. Myself and Ann Haveden now Mrs Tollet. We have had great fun catching up on old times.
Added by Barbara Graham nee Hill on 02 October 2008.