Moves to make Rye railway station more attractive for travellers were praised last week, as a new exhibition by local poets went on show in the booking hall and waiting room. Poems from the Rye Harbour Writers group are on display until the new year, alongside illustrations by local artist Lenka Medlik.
For exhibition organizer SC Morgan it’s a chance to use the station as a creative space. “It’s such a beautiful building and a really important one too as it’s the first and last thing a lot of our visitors see.”
Her poem “Maids of Rye Market” is part of the exhibition alongside pieces by Peter Thomason, David Hensley, Jim Northover, Geoff Marshall and Bronwen Griffiths. “They’re different voices showing very different aspects of the town. I enjoyed the challenge as I don’t often write poetry that rhymes but this was fun.”
Taking the theme “Welcome to Rye”, the poems look at arrivals and departures from the station. Paul Bromley from the Marshlink Community Rail Partnership says the exhibition shows the station is about more than getting from A to B. “We want people to enjoy their time here and this exhibition adds to making a visit to the station a more positive experience. The poems are very special and thought provoking.”
Initiatives to brighten up local stations were enthusiastically endorsed at a meeting of the rail partnership at Rye Town Hall on Friday, November 15. Station managers and community engagement officials from Southern Railway attended the meeting along with councillors, station gardening groups, rail users and chamber of commerce organisers.
Marshlink line chair Kevin Boorman said it was good to see so many at the meeting. “They were able to hear what great progress is being made on the Marshlink. The enthusiasm of the local volunteers really puts the ‘C’ into Community Rail Partnership.”
“Welcome to Rye” runs until mid January, with further exhibitions planned at the station throughout the year. The posters are designed by Jim Northover from Playne Design.
Image Credits: James Stewart , Rye Harbour Writers/Southern Railway .
This is a great plan.
I have visited Rye on and for years, with my family and now grandchildren.
Any additional work to make it look more cheerful better, due to it’s age is more than welcome.
Please go ahead with this plan.
Thank you.