In April 2015, Rye News ran Mayor to open John Ryan garden, about a small area of land adjacent to Rye Station, generously given over to our community by Southeast Communities Rail Partnership to commemorate the life of local author and artist John Ryan who wrote and illustrated the Captain Pugwash stories and was for many years a resident of Rye.
The garden was named The Captain Pugwash Memorial Garden in his memory and a bench installed with a commemorative plaque. Sadly, his wife Priscilla Ryan died last year which makes it even more important that the garden is given a new lease of life and that we show our respect.
The garden is looking unloved and colourless now, and when our visitors return from next month – and they will in large numbers – if arriving by train, one of the first sights they see when leaving the station will be the Captain Pugwash Memorial Garden.
Southeast Communities Rail Partnership are looking for volunteer gardeners for the garden, which has been recently cleared after becoming overgrown and is now ready for planting, as well as the platform planters and the colourful hanging baskets in the station this summer as part of the Rye Chamber of Commerce initiative, Rye Blooms.
Any volunteers would be most welcome and there is funding available for planting. If you are interested in adopting your lovely local station please get in touch with Harry Sievewright harry@southeastcrp.org or Catherine Simmons catherine@southeastcrp.org
The photo below was taken last year when the garden was cleared by volunteers with (left to right) Kevin Boorman volunteer Marshlink chair, Catherine Simmonds and Harry Sievewright SCRP community line officers.
As the saying goes, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression” but the impression for visitors at the moment is that the garden is not very welcoming so, with many of us still with time on our hands, isn’t it time we put our names forward for such a worthwhile project? Not only celebrate the lives of two of Rye’s much loved characters, but to also show our appreciation to Southeast Communities Rail Partnership. and our support for the Rye Chamber of Commerce’s Rye Blooms initiative to put some colour and much needed life back into our town.
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Catherine Simmonds .
Thanks Nick for bringing the Pugwash Memorial garden to the forefront of people’s minds! To be honest I have lived here for over 10 years and didn’t know it existed just shows you! Yes it would be lovely to see it looking bright and cared for and the station too! Thanks to the volunteers so far who have cleared the garden ‘ready for action!’