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Tilling Get-Together '99
On October 2nd 1999, the 17th Tilling Society Get-Together was held in the town of Rye, East Sussex, which was the home of E.F.Benson for the later part of his life and of which he was three times elected Mayor.

The day starts with Tillingites walking up to lay flowers at Fred's grave; this is followed by lunch (this year at "The George") and a talk on a relevant topic, (we were honoured by Dr Gail Nina Anderson, who spoke on the subject of Middle Age!)
After a few hours of wandering around the town, visiting the sites (with a trip to Lamb House, Fred's home and inspiration for 'Mallards' and now a National Trust property'), we take afternoon tea and go our separate ways.  (Although some of us gathered at The Ship later that evening for dinner and yet more chat!)
The following are just a few of the many photographs taken by attendees.
(These pictures were taken by Paul Bines)


Fred's Grave                                                   Captain Puffin (Tony        Quaint1 in the Church Tower
                                                                       Reavell) and Bert
                                                                       Fallace at Fred's Grave.


A Mapp's Eye View!    (Inset, a 'zoom' of Miss Leg                           The river (along which a certain Kitchen Table...)
(Nancy Thompson))


A Local Resident fails to find              Lamb House and the                         Miss Legg studies Taffy's Grave (Taffy
'The Giardino Segreto'                       Crooked Chimney                              was Fred's pet dog, and is buried in
                                                                                                                     the garden of Lamb House.)


Bob Schmidt, Siriami (Alastair Kerr)                  The Crooked                    The Memorial plaque on Fred's seat in
and Miss Leg in Lamb House Garden                Chimney from                  St Mary's Church.  The inscription
                                                                          Lamb House Garden        reads "In Rememberance of Edward Frederic
                                                                                                                   Benson who passed away on the 29th of
                                                                                                                   February 1940.  Servant of God - -Brave
                                                                                                                   Sufferer Author, Three times Mayor of
                                                                                                                   Rye, Friend to this Church and Town"

Stained Glass Window in St Mary's, commissioned by Fred.  In the bottom Right corner of the window can be seen a representation of Fred, in his mayoral robes.


Miss Legg and Siriami at Afternoon Tea

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