Good neighbours make aa difference to Rye estate

Volunteers from more than 12 locally developed projects came together at Tilling Green Community Centre to celebrate their achievements recently.

The volunteers had been brought together by Capacity Builder, Flora Williams, who worked with a wide range of people to develop their ideas into live projects, which help their community.

She was loudly applauded by the volunteers, spoke about the projects that had been achieved and the dedication and passion of local volunteers.

Local projects range from a youth club for Winchelsea Beach and a poster competition against litter, through to a quilting group, a photography club and computer club for Tilling Green and a heritage group at Rye Harbour.

Rye Partnership Chairman, Cllr. Keith Glazier, said, “This project shows the power of working in partnership with other organisations. Working together to develop localised projects that meet local needs has given a much needed boost to the area.

“I would like to see much more of this kind of collaborative working in the future.

Local volunteer, Sophie Alstin, said “Being part of the project has not only benefitted the local community, through the development of a project, but I have also benefitted enormously, by what I have learned and the confidence it has given me. It has changed my life.”

Flora Williams said. “I am very sad that the project has come to an end. There are still projects that are at idea stage, waiting to be developed. If we had another six months we could have developed many more projects.

“However, I will still be working alongside the Rye Partnership and volunteering and keeping a hand in at the Tilling Green Community Centre. Many of the projects that have been developed will continue to go from strength to strength.”

The volunteers were joined by a range of dignitaries, including Rye’s Deputy Mayor, Bernadine Fiddimore and other Rye Town Councillors.

The Chairs of the Hastings Trust and Rye Partnership, Esther Brown and Keith Glazier, handed out certificates of achievement to each of the projects.