In November 2024, as reported in Rye News, His Majesty The King approved that the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve should receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for “Supporting and developing RHNR and its wildlife for the benefit of local and wider interests”.
The presentation of this prestigious award by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Andrew Blackman Commander of the Order of Saint John or CStJ (a Royal Order of Chivalry) and the Deputy Lieutenant, Simon Corello JP DL, took place last Saturday March 22 at the nature reserve’s Discovery Centre.
The invited audience included many former committee members of the Friends and some of the many volunteers who have contributed their time, thought, money and support to making the nature reserve a very special place for wildlife and people.
The award was accepted by Barry Yates, the chairman of the Friends, who said: “The Friends of RHNR is a very special group of people who have provided support to this nature reserve for fifty-two years and we now work in partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to achieve our common aims. The Friends is also a community where long term friendships have been made.“
There were also supporting speeches by Tony Lloyd, the chairman of the nature reserve’s management committee and Chris Corrigan, the CEO of Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Also present was Jane King who, when she was the High Sheriff of East Sussex, had put the Friends forward for the award.
The photo shows the five speakers at the ceremony, from left they are:
Tony Lloyd – chair of RHNR management committee, Chris Corrigan – CEO of Sussex Wildlife Trust, Andrew Blackman – Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Barry Yates – chair of the Friends of RHNR, Simon Corello – Deputy Lieutenant.
It was a very special day for everyone who has supported the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve during the last fifty-two years.
The award and the citation are on display in the Discovery Centre.
If you would like to join the Friends, please go to
https//ryeharbourfriends.net/join-us
Image Credits: Kt bruce .