A Local Magazine to Read and Reread
We’re certainly not short of things to read these days if we want to keep up with the news – what’s going on in the world around us or just the thoughts that someone has decided to put down in writing. But in this part of Sussex there is a surprisingly large number of magazines and newspapers about the area, whether online or in print. In this town alone there are four local newspapers, two of which are in print, including this one.
Now, there’s a new publication, based in Rye; not only does it have high production values, but is also free! RyeZine is the brainchild of the enigmatically named Gresty, a designer and illustrator who became a resident of Rye in 2019. Like so many that have moved down to the area, he was blown away by the friendly nature of people in this part of the country. As he says in the introduction to the magazine: “I built my career in London, where you might occasionally receive a wry grin from a passing stranger. I cannot remember a time while living in Rye that I haven’t heard, ‘hello – how are you doing?’”
He says it all began in Spring 2019: I started thinking about producing a book about all the creative people I’d been meeting in Rye and the Southeast of England.” After some consideration, his plan changed to a magazine that he thought would work better and fit around his other design and illustration work. Gresty contacted his friend Mark Cocksedge, a talented photographer, to ask if he would be interested in joining him to create a quarterly free magazine, “… and Mark said yes!”
Gresty explains how each article focuses on people’s backstories, giving the reader insight into how their business was created and is run. For example, the cover story in Issue #01 is Tillingham, telling the story of Ben Walgate’s journey – setting up a stunning winery that offers rooms, bell-tents, tours and restaurants alongside their amazing wines.
But the magazine won’t follow a formula and Gresty promises that each one will be different, for example Issue #02 is already developing a focus on food, nature, graphic art and sport. He’s well aware that this part of the country already has lots of newspapers, leaflets, blogs, websites and ad magazines that keep locals updated with all the fantastic events in this part of the world. “RyeZine didn’t want to replicate them,“ he says. “RyeZine will feel more like a brochure that presents personal insight into people and business in the area to inform locals and attract tourists.”
That answers a question which had been lingering at the back of my mind ever since I picked up a copy at Collected Fictions, the new wine and beer shop in London Road St Leonards (packed out with thirsty customers on its temporary opening during the Tap Takeover). It does has something of the feel of a brochure and in acknowledging that, it gives me confidence that Gresty knows what he is up to. He makes another interesting comment: “By producing a quality piece of print, my hope is people will keep their copies of RyeZine, build up a collection, reread each issue and visit the locations.”
Yes, it’s something to keep – half book and half magazine. Perhaps at a later stage, a beautiful folder will be available which will turn each year’s collection into a book after all.
• Follow RyeZine on Instagram @ryezine_magazine
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