The ‘Captain Pugwash’ bench outside Rye station now has further links to the creator of the cartoon pirate.
A small plaque has a QR code which links to the Forever Story site about John Ryan and his family’s connections to the town.
The biography has been written by John’s daughter Isabel who helped to unveil a new bench in the Pugwash garden last month.
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.”
The Forever Story site contains details of the life of John and Priscilla Ryan.
It says: “By 1957 they had 3 children and many pets and – out of the necessity of earning more – John doodled and drew his first CAPTAIN HORATIO PUGWASH. Little did he know that his bumbling, greedy and not very piratical pirate character would become such a popular and beloved National Treasure!”
The family were great benefactors of the town of Rye after they moved there in 1987.
Rye & district chamber of commerce features Captain Pugwash in the tourist guide ‘Visit Rye’ with QR codes at various locations including opposite the station.
