Giving Ryde's past to the future
Stair Lift Facility
The new stairlift officially opened on 23rd of May 2014 by Ryde’s Mayor at the time, Cllr Roi Milburn.
Ring the bell for help!
Original Logo
Original Logo
The original artwork for the logo was drawn by Lynne Phillips from a design on two shelters on Ryde Pier, and adapted by Depth.
The original artwork for the logo was drawn by Lynne Phillips from a design on two shelters on Ryde Pier, and adapted by Depth.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:26:48+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/original-logo/
Royal Ryde
Royal Ryde
Royal Ryde, the link to Queen Victoria.
The Duchess of Kent, mother of Queen Victoria, first brought her to stay at Norris Castle on the Isle of Wight in 1831. When it was decided to build the arcade in Ryde, Princess Victoria was asked whether she would agree to it being named for her. This is why, at the rear of the arcade, there is a window with a monogram PV - Princess Victoria.
The crest on the front of the arcade is that of Princess Victoria. A similar crest can be seen in Bath, much smaller and less colourful than the one in Ryde. The lion and the unicorn are also facing different directions.
Royal Ryde, the link to Queen Victoria.
The Duchess of Kent, mother of Queen Victoria, first brought her to stay at Norris Castle on the Isle of Wight in 1831. When it was decided to build the arcade in Ryde, Princess Victoria was asked whether she would agree to it being named for her. This is why, at the rear of the arcade, there is a window with a monogram PV - Princess Victoria.
The crest on the front of the arcade is that of Princess Victoria. A similar crest can be seen in Bath, much smaller and less colourful than the one in Ryde. The lion and the unicorn are also facing different directions.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:31:46+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/royal-ryde/
Royal visitors
Royal Visitors in Ryde
It is said that the Duchess of Kent first brought her daughter to the Isle of Wight so that she did not attend the coronation of her Uncle, William IV. On this, and subsequent occasions, they stayed at Norris Castle, in East Cowes.
It is also known that Victoria used rooms in The Royal Kent Hotel, now the Royal Squadron, on at least one occasion.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:40:11+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/royal-visitors/
RYDE TREASURES
RYDE TREASURES
All images reproduced with permission of IW Heritage Service, to whom we are very grateful.
A gown worn by a recent Mayor of the Borough of Ryde.
Ryde Town Sergeant's Hat.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:47:20+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/ryde-treasures/
Ryde Entertainment
Ryde Entertainment
The inhabitants of 19th century Ryde enjoyed entertainment............... Bands played on the pier every evening, There were plays in the Theatre, concerts in the Town Hall, lectures and exhibitions in the Victoria Rooms and circuses on the Strand from the 1850s onwards. Local gentry also held balls and soirees in their homes - descriptions of which appeared in the local press the following week. Celebrities came from Paris and London to appear in Ryde - Mrs Jordan, Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde, General Tom Thumb, The Christy Minstrels all appeared in Ryde following successful runs in London and over seas........Ryde was the place to be after London, Paris, New York! Hairdressers and other businessmen also followed the same route.
The inhabitants of 19th century Ryde enjoyed entertainment............... Bands played on the pier every evening, There were plays in the Theatre, concerts in the Town Hall, lectures and exhibitions in the Victoria Rooms and circuses on the Strand from the 1850s onwards. Local gentry also held balls and soirees in their homes - descriptions of which appeared in the local press the following week. Celebrities came from Paris and London to appear in Ryde - Mrs Jordan, Ellen Terry, Oscar Wilde, General Tom Thumb, The Christy Minstrels all appeared in Ryde following successful runs in London and over seas........Ryde was the place to be after London, Paris, New York! Hairdressers and other businessmen also followed the same route.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:57:12+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/ryde-entertainment/
Railings
Railings
The railings on the pier were installed in 1895. It is believed the shelters were built at the same time, by Isaac Barton, a Mayor of Ryde, to a design by local architect Thomas Hellyer. Cyril the sea serpent is the guide for the Children's Page of the website.
The railings on the pier were installed in 1895. It is believed the shelters were built at the same time, by Isaac Barton, a Mayor of Ryde, to a design by local architect Thomas Hellyer. Cyril the sea serpent is the guide for the Children's Page of the website.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T01:02:06+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/railings/
Local Newspapers
Local Newspapers
Ryde and the Isle of Wight have a long history of local newspaper printing. The Isle of Wight Observer was begun in 1846, although not established until 1852. It was printed at The Colonnade, Ryde by George and subsequently, Hannah Butler. From the first issue, Fashionable Lists were printed weekly to show residents and visitors who was in town. The Isle of Wight Times, Ventilator, Mercury, Isle of Wight Advertiser, and County Press followed at later dates. These newspapers, or images of them, can be consulted at the Isle of Wight County Record Office, Newport.
There are also newspapers with Isle of Wight articles which can be viewed on the British Library website British Newspapers Online
Ryde and the Isle of Wight have a long history of local newspaper printing. The Isle of Wight Observer was begun in 1846, although not established until 1852. It was printed at The Colonnade, Ryde by George and subsequently, Hannah Butler. From the first issue, Fashionable Lists were printed weekly to show residents and visitors who was in town. The Isle of Wight Times, Ventilator, Mercury, Isle of Wight Advertiser, and County Press followed at later dates. These newspapers, or images of them, can be consulted at the Isle of Wight County Record Office, Newport.
There are also newspapers with Isle of Wight articles which can be viewed on the British Library website British Newspapers Online
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T01:04:32+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/local-newspapers/
Historic Photographs
Historic Photographs
More historic photographs appear in the Galleries.
More historic photographs appear in the Galleries.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-02T23:28:06+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/historic-photographs/
The Brigstocke China
The Brigstocke China
All images reproduced with permission of IW Heritage Service, to whom we are very grateful.
The Brigstocke China comprises pieces collected by the family over many years, reflecting catholic tastes.
All images reproduced with permission of IW Heritage Service, to whom we are very grateful.
The Brigstocke China comprises pieces collected by the family over many years, reflecting catholic tastes.
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-02T23:46:00+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/the-brigstocke-china/
The Royal Victoria Arcade
The Royal Victoria Arcade
The Royal Victoria Arcade - Victorian Timeline, the first 70 years of the Royal Victoria Arcade from the laying of the foundation stone to 1903
1835 -May - Foundation Stone Ceremony
1836 - July - Opening Ceremony
1856 - July - Henry Knight buys the arcade for £3000
1856 - October - frontage altered
1857 - October - William Lacy the first Arcade photographer moves into a workshop in the basement
1862 - March - Cornelius Jabez Hughes takes over Number 6 after Lacy's death, in November 1861
1864 - Henry Knight's Fairy Fountain in the rotunda
1880 - Henry patents tin opener and sells it to Crosse and Blackwell
1890 - Henry Knight goes bankrupt and hands over the arcade to his daughters
1895 - Death of Henry Knight
1903 - Arcade up for sale
The Royal Victoria Arcade - Victorian Timeline, the first 70 years of the Royal Victoria Arcade from the laying of the foundation stone to 1903
1835 -May - Foundation Stone Ceremony
1836 - July - Opening Ceremony
1856 - July - Henry Knight buys the arcade for £3000
1856 - October - frontage altered
1857 - October - William Lacy the first Arcade photographer moves into a workshop in the basement
1862 - March - Cornelius Jabez Hughes takes over Number 6 after Lacy's death, in November 1861
1864 - Henry Knight's Fairy Fountain in the rotunda
1880 - Henry patents tin opener and sells it to Crosse and Blackwell
1890 - Henry Knight goes bankrupt and hands over the arcade to his daughters
1895 - Death of Henry Knight
1903 - Arcade up for sale
Historic Ryde Society
2013-06-03T00:23:37+01:00
http://historicrydesociety.com/testimonials/the-royal-victoria-arcade/
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Historic Ryde Society
John King and David Newman
The Society is very sad to report that two of our Trustees passed away during the Museum’s forced closure for
Covid-19.
John passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in July 2020. His humour, knowledge of the Island music scene, anecdotes about the people of Ryde from his years with the Isle of Wight Council and supply of jam doughnuts will be missed, especially during quiet times in the museum.
David, our secretary and archivist, passed away in May 2021 in Mountbatten Hospice, following many months battling with kidney problems. Again, his humour, attention to detail, local knowledge and support for the Society will be sorely missed, as will his dealing with the many queries that were emailed in.
Merry Christmas!
Wishing all our supporters, customers and volunteers a Merry Christmas and wonderful 2020!
Please note we are closed from 23 December 2019 and reopen on the 4th January 2020 . See you then !
HRS Talk – Margaret Rose “Life in and off Guernsey during WW2”
Margaret Rose returns to tell the story about the invasion of the Channel Islands, on Thursday, 19th September 2019, 7pm (for 7.30-9pm), at Yelf’s hotel, Union Street, Ryde.
August Special Quiz!
Due to Ryde Carnival on the 29th, the August quiz is a week earlier, on the 22nd. Same place: Yelf’s Hotel, starting at 19.30, doors open at 19.00. Tickets £3.
Ron Watts
A member and volunteer from the earliest days of the Society, Ron was always very willing to get involved on the publicity side of things.
He would be at the forefront of anything musical or theatrical, and helped with the various performances at the Methodist Church during the Society’s Grand Victorian Ryde Weekend in July 2011 (2/24), which commemorated 175 years of the Royal Victoria Arcade. He even played the role of Father Christmas in the yet-to-be-restored basement of the Arcade, listening to MP Andrew Turner’s Christmas wishes! (2/30)
Ever the showman, and especially happy in front of a microphone, Ron organised fund-raising musical evenings for the Society at Smallbrook Stadium, and hosted his own birthday parties at the Fleming Arms, Binstead (5/31), and then for his 90th, and last, at the New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes. Always unforgettable occasions, guests were encouraged to join in with his renditions of popular songs from his younger days.
Apart from the musical side, Ron wished to display his artistic side, and set about painting another photoboard to help fund raising for the Society. Unfortunately, due to his increasing lack of mobility he was unable to finish it, but we still have fond memories of a beret-clad Parisian artist look-alike perched on his stool, paintbrush in hand!
Ron was very proud of his long and close connection with the whole of the Minghella family, and in recent years Society President and Vice President could often be found having afternoon tea in the cafe at Briddlesford Farm.
Ron was always very cheerful, supportive and positive, even in the last couple of years when his failing health slowed him down and caused him to move to Cowes to be near his daughter. He was a one-off, and will be sorely missed.
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