As part of their Victorian studies, pupils from Haylands Primary School took the opportunity to visit Ryde District Heritage Centre early in November, having found the Centre so useful for their studies last year. HRS schools liaison officer, Judith, wrote the following report:  ‘On Tuesday 5th November five volunteers from Historic Ryde Society were pleased to welcome the two Year 5 classes from Haylands Primary School to the Ryde District Heritage Centre. The children were studying evidence of the development of Ryde. Each class was in four groups which enabled them to have time to study the photographic slides, answer questions in the Pier Room and discuss the artifacts and photographs in the Commercial Room. It was a pleasure to welcome these pupils who were interested, well-behaved and polite. They asked searching questions about the medicines and were very amused to see some of their accompanying adults as pupils in school photographs. The children were also fascinated by life before Tesco in the Hovercraft room. We hope to welcome other schools when they do studies of Ryde.’ The ‘Hovercraft room’ is known as ‘The Flightpath’, as it shows images and video footage of both Ryde airport and the early days of the hovercraft service in

Historic Ryde Society hosts a multitude of fund-raising events throughout the year, to suit all tastes. Recent events include two fascinating illustrated talks about the stars and the planets. HRS was delighted to work closely with James Bissell-Thomas of The Orrery, and welcomed astronomer Ian Ridpath to Ryde. Two more illustrated talks have taken place since then – Tony Gale’s wonderful romp around Ashey Races, and Mark Earp’s interesting display of historic images of Ryde. A full lecture programme is being drawn up for next year, to include a talk on Ryde airport and another to reflect the beginning of the national WWI commemorations. As well as the monthly pub quizzes, which take place in Yelf’s Hotel on the last Thursday of every month – please note the December quiz will be held on Friday, December 27! –  regular events include two Antique and Collectors’ Fairs – next one Sunday, December 8, John Street Masonic Hall, 10am to 3pm, Christmas voucher raffle – over the same weekend. Music plays a big part in the HRS repetoire and musical events, such as the harp and sitar recital and recent 70s and 80s disco add to a full schedule throughout the year. Berno Inferno can

Historic Ryde Society is delighted that Greene King, the owners of Ryde Castle Hotel, found the history of the building posted on the HRS website, so useful, it was incorporated into the four page advertising feature which appeared in a recent edition of the Isle of Wight County Press. In recognition of this, Historic Ryde Society committee members were invited to the official opening of the newly refurbished hotel, following on from the disastrous fire of March, 2012.  HRS Chair, Liz Jones, was invited to take part in the official opening ceremony, with IW Council and Ryde Town Council officers. Return to Homepage.

Ryde District Heritage Centre moves to Winter opening hours with the arrival of November.  RDHC will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from this week until the end of March, subject to weather, and volunteer health! Please check with Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, or phone 01983 717435 during opening hours, to check the Centre is open before leaving home. Work will be going on behind the scenes at all times to facilitate the opening of the latest extension and future displays. If anyone is able to help with this, please get in touch! Return to Homepage