Derelict land at Ore station on the Marshlink line has been transformed into a community garden.
The official opening of the space was held on Friday 23 May during Community Rail Week.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman was among the invited guests who also included Hastings & Rye MP Helena Dollimore, Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn, Hastings council leader Cllr Glenn Haffenden, Orbit Housing Group representatives, senior staff from Southern and Southeastern Railway plus other rail and community representatives.
The revitalised space is the result of community effort led by the Friends of Ore Station and community gardener Suzanne (Suze) Horgan.
Mr Blackman said at the opening event: “It really is such a beautiful spot. We could be in the middle of the countryside here but we’re actually in the middle of Ore. I know this space has had troubled times over the past years and it’s now a place of great beauty thanks to Suze and the volunteers.
“Thank you to everyone who has been involved and congratulations on opening this really stunning space.”
Suzanne Horgan told the guests: “I’m really humbled. It’s an idea that came and you’ve all helped us to do this. I’m so very grateful. It’ll be fantastic to start using the space as a community. It’s the start of our journey.”
Cllr Becca Horn commented: “This is exactly the sort of scheme that we should be championing as local councillors and local businesses and residents and people who are working in our town. This is about creating spaces where people can come together and that is so important when so many of our spaces have been lost or fallen into disrepair.
“To actually have a community, a group of residents and interested people who care, come together with a vision and the hard work and dedication to create this is absolutely fantastic and all power to community groups for just taking it on themselves and getting it done.”
The land is next to Ore station and owned by Orbit Housing Association. It had been unused for many years and is now being leased to the Friends of Ore Station.
Dense undergrowth has been cleared and the area now has a flower garden, vegetable patch, children’s play area and even a small pond.
Photo: Official opening of Ore community garden during Community Rail Week May 2025. Left to right: Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn, Marshlink Community Rail Partnership line chair Kevin Boorman, Friends of Ore Station community gardener Suzanne Horgan, Marshlink CRP line officer Paul Bromley, HM Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Andrew Blackman
