Coming down Rye Hill at the bottom of Landgate where there used to be an unloved corner, something rather brilliant has happened. Instead of weeds and usually a broken fridge or two, there’s a now a riot of colour. Pots, plants and trees welcoming visitors to Rye.
It’s all thanks to Janette and Denis McMahon who moved into the cottage at the end of Landgate in March this year. In making a difference to Deacon’s Corner, they’ve made new friends in neighbours and passers by.
“We have been overwhelmed by the lovely comments,” says Janette. “It has literally floored us. We’ve had people knock on the door and say it has brightened their day or how much they love how it has transformed the corner.”
“Rye people are amazing. We’re so glad we came to live here,” says Denis as he waters the pots. “Everyday they come up and talk to us about what we’re doing. Sometimes they bring a pot or a plant. If I’ve got a bit of weeding to do I always get stopped for a chat.”
The couple moved to Rye on March 31 from London, although Janette is from Hastings where she met Denis. They saw the cottage on a day trip to Rye and decided it was the one for them.
The only problem was it didn’t have a garden says Janette. “When we got down here I realised we didn’t have room for all the pots as we only have a tiny little yard. The side of the house did get a lot of rubbish dumped on it and it was full of weeds. It was a hard graft pulling them up but then it looked a bit bare, so I thought I’ll stick a couple of pots out there.”
What started with a few planters soon grew. “We put the baskets up on the wall and then gradually we just decided to put more and more out there. Then as things finished, I thought, oh well let’s put something different out. I’m aiming to get something that will look nice all year round. I can’t promise masses of flowers in December, but I will try and find something that at least looks nice and tidy and welcoming.”
The couple are helping visitors too, by keeping town maps handy to give to people asking for directions. In return they’ve been offered seed trays and pots.
Janette and Denis’ hard work was praised at the town council’s planning committee on Monday July 28. Cllr Mike Boyd told the meeting the new garden was a very welcome addition to Rye. “They have lived at Deacon’s Corner (at the bottom of Landgate) for a short time, but they have done a wonderful job of brightening-up it up. They are to be congratulated and thanked, particularly as this is a very visible and colourful
first-impression of Rye for any motorist approaching from the north.”
One thing the couple aren’t sure of though is why it is called Deacon’s Corner. If you know the answer, leave a comment below or chat to Janette and Denis as they tend the garden.
Image Credits: James Stewart , KT Bruce , Google Maps .
One must congratulate janette and Denis for doing their best in keeping a small corner of Rye in pristine condition, sadly unlike our Old town Salts, and the half circle on Winchelsea road,and the adjacent car parks overgrown hedge.which are an embarrasment to locals and visitors alike.
What Denis and Janette have created is wonderful. Everything I pass this display it puts a smile on my face. It is so lovely to see all that colour coming into Rye! Hopefully this will inspire others to do something similar as Rye is a special place and we should all be proud of it.
What a lovely story! And no officials telling them to remove the pots either!
It’s lovely, I notice the gorgeous flowers every time I drive past, what a difference
It looks amazing and brightens up the corner, thank you both so much
A lovely contribution to Denis and Janette’s new community. It’s heartwarming when newcomers ‘join in’ from the outset and it’s a great way to make new friends.
I think everyone is delighted with the transformation of Deacon’s Corner and grateful to Denis and Janette for their hard work and inspiration. I have a copy of Ancient Rye by JL Deacon, Mayor of Rye at the time of its publication in 1897. It is a really well researched history of Rye going back to ancient times. Possibly Deacon’s Corner was named after a well respected mayor and excellent historian.
Thank you both for making Deacons Corner such a beautiful space.
I love looking to see what new pots and plants have arrived.
I wish the rest of the town looked better.
Great job Janette and Denis, thanks for brightening up our corner of this beautiful town. Now I’m going to have to dig out my trowel and in a small way follow your example!
I noticed it straight away. What a difference it has made.yes, we should thank them as it really raises the bar, a great way to meet the eye of passing traffic.
It’s absolutely fantastic and makes such a wonderful difference to a formerly drab corner. It seems to be growing as well! Thank you very much for your initiative and plant taste.
It looks great. Maybe we could draw attention to the state of the salts a stone throw away.which is looking like a tip.
The first time I saw all your lovely plants and pots I thought how lovely they look. Keep up the good work it’s very much appreciated as you come over the bridge into Rye.