A plant and bric-a-brac sale last Saturday in the Buttermarket under Rye’s town hall was one of the first public gatherings in the town since lockdown to raise money for charity. It was Davida Turpin’s idea as a way of saying thank you to the Royal Marsden Hospital for its care of her husband Louis as he had taken part in 2020 in a trial treatment, with noticeably beneficial results.
The plant stall was overflowing with green plants of all descriptions, either grown in Davida’s own garden or donated by friends. In the other corner was a stall managed by Arne and Enid Alström, who run a house plants and furnishing shop at the Green House in the Mint. A third stall was also busy, all with people sensibly social distancing.
Davida said later: “It was a very successful day and I have raised £1,800 which is fantastic – all the money raised will go to the Royal Marsden cancer trials and help people with cancer and their treatment. The Royal Marsden saved my husband’s life with an immunotherapy trial.
“I have had great support from friends and locals and would like to thank all those who donated plants, those who attended the event and bought, and also those who kindly gave donations. They all contributed to the successful day and I am very grateful.
I would also like to thank Jessica Neame (deputy town clerk) and Rebekah Gilbert (Rye’s mayor) for their help and support at the town hall.”
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .