The new bench in the Captain Pugwash Garden in Rye was installed and dedicated to the cartoon pirate’s creator John Ryan on Tuesday 9 June.
“We are incredibly lucky to have this garden to celebrate John,” said his daughter Isabel Ryan. “It’s a wonderful thing in a great location and so well used. How often do you come past this bench when there’s nobody on it? I want to thank everyone who has made it a lovely, cheerful, happy place.”
John and Priscilla moved to Rye in 1987. The garden next to the station pedestrian crossing was first planted in 2015 and is maintained by volunteers, including Barry Stephens who was inspired to help after seeing it on his daily walk. “It was pretty hard work to start with but we’ve got it to a good place now. Some of the plants come from my garden but many are donated too.”
Rye Mayor Chris Hoggart was on hand to see the bench dedicated. He said he’d like to see Rye do more to celebrate both Captain Pugwash and John Ryan. “It’s important we remember the people who used to live here. It’s great we have this garden and bench to honour John Ryan and his iconic characters. It works for all ages as adults can relate to it from a nostalgia point of view, and the cartoons and stories are good for children.”
The new bench was paid for by Rye Chamber of Commerce from Levelling Up Funds which have also seen the creation of the new tourist promotion app and signs around Rye featuring Captain Pugwash. Sarah Broadbent from Rye Chamber said, “We’re delighted to see the new bench. It’s the final chapter in the Pugwash tourism project. We’re so grateful to Isabel for letting us use the Pugwash characters to help promote Rye.”
The bench will soon have a QR code on it which will take visitors to more information about John Ryan’s work, which includes Mary, Mungo and Midge, and The Adventures of Sir Prancelot, as well as Captain Pugwash.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .