Volunteers helping to make Rye look beautiful

Depleted budgets and a lack of volunteers had endangered the town’s annual hanging basket displays.

Determined that the town would look at its best for the Jubilee, the Olympic Torch procession and the summer season, Chamber of Commerce chairman Neil Cunliffe and Chrissy Stower, CEO of the Rye Partnership joined forces to raise the funds and source the volunteers.

A gardening club has been set up at the Tilling Green Community Centre, by the Rye Partnership with assistance from the AmicusHorizon residents’ Area Panel. The purpose is to give members of the Tilling Green community the opportunity to learn about gardening, to socialise and to get engaged within their local area.

Members of this club along with other volunteers came together for a four hour course, funded through the Rye Partnership by Sussex Coast College Hastings, which saw them plant up the 18 hanging baskets for the town as well as baskets for the community centre. The volunteers benefited from expert tuition on planting and the maintenance of hanging baskets, from Course tutor Sam Stone and Rye Gardening Services Brian Clifton.

If you would like more information about the gardening club or other courses at the Tilling Green Community Centre please contact Chrissy Stower on 01797 229600