Checking-in with…

As our last check in of the year, we wanted to salute one of the many unsung local heroes in our community who help make Rye the lovely place it is. Meet Jenny Nicholls, the lynchpin of The First Tuesday Club (see this month’s newsletter!) which The George is so happy to host.

Originally from Lancashire, Jenny lived in the South of England for many years and in beautiful Rye for the past five.

She began her career at Somerville College, Oxford, then a female-only college, working as an Assistant Bursar. As Jenny recalls “It was a fascinating time to be there, as the college was in the process of changing its statutes to admit men. Margaret Thatcher, an alumna, was very vocal about keeping it exclusively for women, and the college atmosphere was very lively, student rooftop protests, rent strikes, and lawn sit-ins all became part of daily life”. Despite the resistance, men were eventually admitted in 1994.

She then moved to Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court, to work as an Event Manager planning and organising events for the legal profession, including the famous Inns of Court Ball. After that, and many happy years at The Halkin Hotel (regarded as London’s first true luxury boutique hotel) she took on roles in private members’ clubs in the City and Belgravia. After commuting into London for more than 20 years, Jenny decided it was time for a change and now works much closer to home.

With this wealth of experience, we are delighted to work closely with her on The First Tuesday Club where her organisational skills and attention to detail have proved invaluable. The positive impact of the project is already being felt, with the celebratory Christmas Lunch marking the end of a successful first year. As The George’s co-owner Alex Clarke shares, “my mother suffered from isolation when she lived alone later in life, contributing to her depression and dementia; the lunch club gives its members the regular opportunity to enjoy a little joy and connection to their community.”

Jenny adds that “the support from the wider Rye community has been remarkable with the Rye Community Bus playing its part, providing transport for some of our guests to ensure everyone who wants to attend can do so. We look forward to 2026 where we continue to grow attendance and reach the Rye residents who may benefit most from joining.”

What brings you to The George?

As a child, I spent countless summers staying with relatives in Bexhill, and the whole area is tied to some of my happiest memories; a trip to Rye was always the highlight.
Nowadays, it is of course The First Tuesday Club, held once a month, but I can usually be found in a cosy nook flicking through a magazine and drinking Earl Grey tea. The Dragon Bar is my preferred venue for meeting friends, and the terrace is perfect for lounging with drinks in the summer.

List 3 things you won’t leave home without?

Lipstick, this time of year wrist warmers, and a belief that I’ve definitely forgotten something important!

What is your earliest hotel memory?

I lived in Alexandria, Egypt for 4 years when I was a child and have great memories of drinking ice-cold Coca-Cola through a straw and shelling pistachio nuts in the lobby of The San Stefano Hotel. Much of the ex-pat lifestyle there revolved around hotels and there were many great ones to choose from.

What is the best/most important part of staying away in a hotel for you?

For me it’s that sense of luxury that makes you instantly unwind the moment you walk into the room. A bathroom that feels like a mini spa, the very best amenities, a full turn down service and a handmade chocolate waiting on my pillow.

What are you currently reading/binge-watching/listening to?

I particularly enjoy the Off Air Podcast with Fi and Jane (Fi Glover and Jane Garvey) on Times Radio. Their conversations range from their least favourite washing-machine error codes, champagne at midday and the danger of a sausage roll, mingled with political observation and thoughtful interviews.

I’m currently eking out the last season of Mad Men. I’m very late to the party, but it was recently added to Netflix. The storylines and dialogue are compelling, the 1960s styling is stunning, and Don Draper is the perfect mix of sharp suits, smouldering looks, and questionable life choices.

Do you have a hotel lobby/lift story you’d care to share with us?

I’ve actually shared a lift with Tina Turner twice; once at The Kämp Hotel in Helsinki, and again at The Halkin in London, where she stayed whenever she visited the city.

What do you always forget/lose when you go away?

Very annoyingly, phone chargers!

Hypothetically, who would you most like to discover is a fellow guest?

Definitely Steve Coogan – a fellow northerner – for his sharp wit and clever observations. He’s the kind of guest who could make ordering room service feel like an award-winning comedy.

What helps you get to sleep at night? (Keep it clean!)

Knowing my alarm is set to AM not PM and a blackout blind.

My secret Rye discovery is…

My secret discovery in Rye is The Monastery, restored by Alex MacArthur. Its design style is remarkable and blends bold, eclectic pieces with timeless antiques, giving the historic building an atmospheric feel. It’s a beautiful example of how creativity can elevate and reinterpret an old building.