Four years ago Ukraine was invaded and there followed a story of courage etched with grief and scenes that felt unimaginable in modern Europe: families separated overnight, cities reduced to rubble and millions forced to flee their homes. Fathers stayed to fight and mothers, grandmothers and children crossed borders to find a safe haven.
In Rye, doors opened and through the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the quiet generosity of local residents, families found safety here and new friendships were forged. The town became part of a much bigger story and Colonel Anthony Kimber MBE set up the Rye Hub to help in so many ways, including navigating difficult paperwork and endless forms. Four years on the Hub still meets once a month and support is still given freely.
On Tuesday 24 February, in Rye, beneath our peaceful Sussex sky, we remembered the people of Ukraine. Rye’s Town Crier, Paul Goring, lifted his voice, first in English and then in Ukrainian and there was a hush as those gathered stood in solidarity feeling respect and hope for the future.
Four years on, many Ukrainian families are still living in Rye and the surrounding villages. Their children now speak English with confidence. They play on local sports teams, take part in school productions and chat with friends in a town that once felt foreign. Parents have found work, retrained, volunteered and contributed to the community that welcomed them. Yet the war continues.
For many, “home” remains a place of danger. News from family members still brings anxiety and celebrations are bittersweet. Nadia Rowley came to the small ceremony and listened to the words of Mayor Councillor Andy Stuart and then Colonel Anthony Kimber.
She spoke afterwards, and said, “I feel emotional today, as it’s so difficult to accept that after four years of war and huge losses for my native country there is no sign that the war will end in the near future. I’ve been living in England for a long time but my grandson, my daughter and my parents are in Ukraine. I feel guilty that I am safe but they are in constant danger. My every morning starts with writing and asking them if they are ok. And they tell me that they have sleepless nights because of drone or rocket attacks. They tell me how scared they are when rockets are flying above my town to Kyiv. It was very bad when electric power stations had been hit by Russians. My daughter’s flat doesn’t have gas and for couple weeks when the temperature was -18 electricity had been provided only for 45 minutes, three times a day. It is difficult to find words to comfort them.
“Besides these problems it’s difficult psychologically because they are aware that any day may be their last. They go to bed after having watched how every day Ukrainian people have been killed in their homes. And this happens in every part of Ukraine and my town as well. It’s difficult to find a person in Ukraine who doesn’t suffer from depression. I don’t forget the brave soldiers, the husbands, the sons who are fighting to save my homeland from a cruel and pitiless invader.
“I live here but all my thoughts are in Ukraine.”
Today was a moment to pause and to hold in our thoughts those whose lives remain shaped by conflict. We honoured the living and we honoured a nation that refuses to be erased.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .