The John Ryan Garden, which has been created outside the station, will be officially opened on Friday April 24 at 12:15pm by Priscilla Ryan, widow of the late John Ryan, their daughter Isabel and Mayor Bernadine Fiddimore.
The area was given over to the Sussex Community Rail Partnership to be developed in a way that would involve the community. As local community rail development officer for the Marshlink Line, and based at Rye station, I contacted our station partners, Rye Studio School, The Creative School and Friary Gardeners to see what could be done. But first the overgrown site had to be cleared. Network Rail visited last November and brought 24 volunteers to do the job.
Friary Gardeners then did the planting and the Rye Studio School and Creative School now have a small performance area. We all felt it was a good opportunity to dedicate the garden to someone who was admired and well known in Rye. A plaque on the bench will be unveiled in memory of John Ryan, author and artist of Captain Pugwash, who lived and worked for many years in Rye. The Town Crier will be in attendance so come along and enjoy the opening.
Photo: Kenneth Bird
