A recent acquisition in the Heritage Centre is a batch of ‘The Islander’ magazine of the 1960s and 70s. These offer a fascinating glimpse into Island life at the time, and it is hoped that some of the articles can be reproduced on this website. The first will be an article relating to the very popular group of the 1960s, The Cherokees. The article begins with the fact of a very vibrant music scene on the Island: ‘The Island beat scene has always been one of constant changes. Groups have come and groups have gone. METEORS, CRESCENTS, MIDNIGHT CREEPERS, and TOM-RONS, all great names in their time, but now just memories. Of all groups in existence on the Island ten years ago, only one remains. THE CHEROKEES!’ Although the members of the group changed from time to time, the established team became Graham Betchley on rhythm guitar –  Graham was also a singer; Brian Sharpe – lead guitar and vocals; Crann Davies – bass guitar and vocals; Ken Young – drums. The group’s first regular booking was at the Queen’s Hall, from where they moved to The Lakeside, and then The Royal York, in Ryde. It was at The Royal  York that

‘Ryde District Heritage Centre will be closed from 4pm, February 22 until the end of March, in order to change displays. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. We look forward to seeing you all after the 18th, when the new-look Centre will be unveiled!’

The fourth HRS AGM took place in Yelf’s Hotel on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. Despite filthy weather, and the consequent postponement of the guest speaker’s talk, thirty-seven people attended the meeting. The board was delighted to welcome some new members to the meeting, although HRS President, Mrs Gloria Minghella, was unable to attend due to recent ill health. Bob Wealthy, of Solent Aeromarine, had been due to talk on the history of Ryde Airport and the Spithead Express. Owing to the stormy conditions on The Solent earlier in the day, a decision was made in the morning to postpone Bob’s talk until a later date. This will be publicised in due course. Chair Liz Jones presided over the meeting and ran through a list of most of the events of another busy and successful year. Two notable and regretable ommissions were Cllr Roger Whitby-Smith’s very generous donation of £150 following his heritage walks around Ryde during the Walking Festival in May, and Historic Ryde Society’s success in winning the Heritage Category of the Community Action Awards, both of which happened on the same evening in May. Don’t forget there is another FREE House History workshop being held in the Heritage Centre

Unfortunately Ryde District Heritage Centre will not be open on Saturday, January 4, due to volunteer illness. Normal opening hours during the Winter months are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, between 11am and 4pm. This will also affect the updating of the homepage, which will be addressed as soon as possible. Please note the January quiz will take place at 7pm in Yelf’s Hotel, on Thursday, January 30, the last Thursday of the month. Historic Ryde Society is also experiencing some flood damage in the Heritage Centre, so may need to close at short notice, whilst the challenging weather continues. If in any doubt about visiting the Centre, please call 01983 717435 during opening hours. Normal service will hopefully be resumed as soon as possible, and in the meantime Historic Ryde Society apologises for any inconvenience caused. Return to Homepage.

Father Christmas arrived and took residence in his grotto on Saturday, December 7, 2013. He’ll be there on Saturday and Sunday, December 7/8 and December 14/15 from 11 till 4. There’s a charge of £3.50 for children to visit the Grotto, where they’ll meet Santa, receive a small gift, and some sweets. Queen Victoria also visited, brought to the Arcade in a carriage, drawn by Shire horses, Jeff and Bob. Accompanied by Ryde Mayor, Cllr Wayne Whittle, and Ryde Town Crier, Steve King, the Royal party toured the Centre and met Father Christmas. More photographs on the Gallery pages. Return to homepage.