Egg ban for Rye’s big Raft Race event

But organisers Rye Lions are again appealing for people to use common sense and not throw eggs or other hard objects.

Conrad Freezer, of Rye Lions, said: “Whilst the Lions welcome the mutual bombardment of crews with flour and water bombs, joined in by the spectators, hard objects such as eggs and fruit are strictly banned as these can cause serious injury.”

The raft race and charity fair on the Salts will raise thousands of pounds for charities and good causes.

It will see a variety of crazy make-shift craft taking to the water in a bid to be first across the finishing line.

The fete will have 50 stalls and amusements, including a barbecue, beer tent, bouncy castle, children’s go-carts, ice-creams and live music. It starts at noon on The Salts.

The raft race starts at 1.15-1.30pm, depending on the state of the tide, and takes place on the River Rother, downstream from the A259 New Road bridge, over three laps.

There is ample viewing space for spectators on the river bank in the field over the bridge, where the rafts will be assembling from noon, but the fishermen’s quay on the town side of the river is accessible only for disabled spectators for safety reasons.

The decorated rafts will have crews dressed in fancy dress, competing in six different classes. Winners of each class will be presented with a silver trophy by Rye Mayor John Breeds and MP Amber Rudd.

All rafters will be presented with a certificate to prove they survived the race.

Both the fete and the race are free, but the Lions will be collecting for charity on the day and ask the public to be generous with their contributions, all of which will go to charities, many local, without any deductions.

The Lions will be operating their usual car park on the field adjacent to the race start, over the bridge on the Camber side of the road, where the public can park from 10am to 5.30pm for £2, which includes a copy of their £1 programme.