The National Piers Society, (NPS), which boasts members from around the country, has chosen Ryde as the venue for this year’s AGM. The oldest pier in the country, Ryde Pier celebrates its bicentennial on July 26. Historic Ryde Society members first met current NPS Chairman, Tim Phillips, two years ago, and have been in touch since, with a view to providing images and a slide show for this weekend. HRS is delighted to have been invited to attend the first event of the weekend, held at Ryde Castle Hotel. Author and one-time Ryde resident, Philip Norman, regaled a large audience with tales of his young days at the end of Ryde Pier, where his father Clive ran the Ryde Pier Pavilion. HRS Treasurer Tony Packer worked for Philip’s father, running the Seagull restaurant from the age of 18. HRS Board Member Vic Scovell, played in a local band, The Sapphires. During his talk for the NPS, Philip referred to both gentlemen, as being part of his youth. On Saturday, Historic Ryde Society provided a slide show for the NPS, with over 500 images of Ryde Pier. The patrons of the NPS, Gyles Brandreth and Timothy West both attended the event at Ryde Castle Hotel. A

Isle of Wight Observer March 4 1882 On Monday evening a most interesting lecture was given in the Mount-street school-room, upon the telephone, by the Rev H Hennings, who is said to have invented certain improvements in this wonderful instrument. The experiments were exceedingly interesting. A connection was made between the room in which the lecture was given and the National School, but the wire was so coiled that the message might be considered as being sent over a quarter of a mile. Mr Dimmick played upon the cornet ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ and other tunes, and was distinctly heard. The lecturer expressed the belief that ultimately with the telephone we should be able to hear across the Atlantic. Return to homepage

The Isle of Wight Observer July 2 1898 During the past week or so very considerable changes have been made in the appearance of the Pavilion by the addition of a very pretty proscenium which has been erected by Messrs D C Handcock and Co, scenic artists, of London. The top is painted with a frieze which is an exact reproduction of a celebrated Grecian frieze, but the effect is made incongruous by the Borough Arms being painted immediately above it. The curtain is painted with a delightfully picturesque view of a Scotch Loch. There are also several pretty drop scenes which do credit to the artistic skill of Mr Handcock, the scenic artist, who painted them himself. Considerable alterations have been made, too, in the gallery, and as the stage appointments take up so much more of the room, it has been necessary to block off a considerable portion of the gallery, which we understand will be used for dressing rooms, &c. The chairs which were formerly placed in the gallery have been removed and cushioned benches substituted. the benches immediately behind the rail are lower than those at the back, so that those occupying the latter will be able