On Saturday, April 5 the Rye Community Garden (RCG) had their Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held in the garden, in the lovely tree circle, which was specially planted as a perfect round with a built-in fire for the winter evenings. Most meetings, lunches or events happen within this circle if the weather permits. The current committee includes Alize du Buck, Nigel Jennings, Dena Smith Ellis, Dominic Manning, Jo McCurrie and Mike Pepler as well as many other visiting volunteers who have all been instrumental in maintaining the garden.
The chair reiterated the trustees’ objectives for the RCG which are following: “That its purpose remains a charitable project for the advancement of education, health, wellbeing and recreation for the inhabitants of Rye and neighbouring parishes.” RCG would also like to promote learning about sustainability and provide facilities to improve life for the community, independent of peoples background. The membership and committee is open to everyone as is the garden, either to just sit and enjoy it during the nice weather or come and help the core team to develop the vegetable / herb / flower beds: seeding, digging, or clearing garden waste, on Saturday morning between 10am-12am with an occasional cup of tea.
There were quite a few achievements last year. RCG celebrated their 10th anniversary, on June 24 with food and music, a pizza lunch gathering and two sustainability forums with members of the public.
The weekly Rye foodbank benefits from the RCG produce which is appreciated. It also is part of the Rye Open Gardens event in September and exchanges information with other community gardens like Hands of Hope. RCG secured a lease recently with Rye Town Council, enhancing the future stability.
The chair, Alize du Buck was presented last year with an award for her work and 110 per cent commitment to the Rye Community Food and Wildlife Garden for the last four years. She is described as the “mortar that binds the garden community together providing plans for the weekly events as well as always having a ready smile. She embodies the spirit and aspirations of the RCG.”
Image Credits: Heidi Foster .
Alize is such a leader. The gardens are a credit to Rye. Well done to the committee and all the friends of the garden.