A new bench marking the links between Captain Pugwash creator John Ryan and Rye has been unveiled outside the town’s railway station.
A special rededication ceremony was held with John Ryan’s daughter Isabel alongside civic and commercial representatives. Rye’s mayor Cllr Chris Hoggart represented the town during the event on Tuesday (9 June).
A wooden bench was installed in the Pugwash garden in 2015 but it had deteriorated and was removed last year. The new bench is made from sustainable wood and was bought by Rye & District chamber of commerce.
The plaque on the bench reads: “This garden is dedicated to the artist JOHN RYAN (1921-2009) creator of ‘Captain Pugwash’ and many stories that delight children of all ages; much loved resident and benefactor of Rye.”
Isabel Ryan said: “We are incredibly lucky to have this garden to celebrate John. Not only is it a ‘thank you’ to him in some ways but it is an amazingly useful and used bench. I know it is a really happy, happy place.”
Sarah Broadbent from Rye and District chamber of commerce said: “We’re delighted that we could come full circle on our Pugwash tourism project. We are so grateful to Isabel for working with us and letting us use Pugwash and his friends as our characters for the tourism signage in the town.
“It made sense for us to work with the community rail partnership and replace the bench in the garden. We hope lots of visitors will be able to access more of John’s story when they’re passing by.”
Marshlink community rail partnership line chair Kevin Boorman added: “Southeast Communities Rail Partnership has been very involved in this project since it started. We were instrumental in transforming what was a derelict piece of land – with Network Rail and other colleagues – into the lovely Pugwash garden that it is today. I remember 11 years ago with Isabel’s mum, Priscilla Ryan, unveiling the garden and the original bench.
“It’s lovely to see it being reinvigorated and I’m very grateful to Southern Railway for installing the bench and providing such a useful facility so that John Ryan’s memory can continue.”
Barry Stephens, one of the Pugwash volunteer gardeners, was also at the event.
:: Photo. Back row standing (left to right): Pugwash gardener Barry Stephens, Rye chamber of commerce member Sarah Broadbent, Rye chamber of commerce member Jane Brook, Marshlink community rail partnership line chair Kevin Boorman. Front row seated (left to right): Isabel Ryan, Rye mayor Cllr Chris Hoggart.
Photo: © Paul Bromley for SCRP 2026
