‘Giving Ryde’s Past to the Future’

Historic Ryde Society Quiz Night Thursday 26 March 2026 at Yelf's Hotel, at 7p.m. for 7.30pm.

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All About Peggy – by Jo Cooper

Set during the 2nd World War 4th in the series, All About Peggy is a captivating account of a Red Cross Nurse on the Isle of Wight. The air raids persist, and Peggy continues to live as normal a life as possible. She finds romance and adventures with Brian as they begin a new chapter together in the uncertain times. Susan CourtBA Hons in English & Applied Linguistics Jo succeeds admirably in capturing the mood of Britain at a decisive moment in our history. Fiona NewnhamBrothers B.E.M. Enticed into Nurse Peggy’s world during WWII, you will be kept on your toes, interleaving with real life events and the horrors of war. Set on the Isle of Wight, with sweetheart Brian, the couple experience many dangers.

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Alan Brading – 15 years of dedicated service

On Friday we said a very heartfelt farewell to one of the Museum of Ryde’s most treasured volunteers, Alan Brading, who has decided to step down after an extraordinary 15 years of dedicated service. For a decade and a half Alan has generously given his time, knowledge, and enthusiasm to help bring the history of Ryde to life for countless visitors. His kindness, wisdom, and quiet dedication have made him not only a valued member of our volunteer team, but also a dear friend of the museum. His presence will truly be missed by all of us. Alan has helped preserve and share the story of our town with great care and passion, and we are deeply grateful for everything he has contributed over the years. We wish him all the very best for the future and sincerely hope that the museum will always remain a place he feels connected to. The door will always be open for him to come back and visit whenever he wishes. Alan’s retirement also reminds us how important our volunteers are. We are currently in urgent need of new volunteers to help continue the work of sharing Ryde’s remarkable history with the community. Anyone

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BREW in the Arcade

  BREW – We would like to say a warm welcome to BREW who has joined us and the marvellous unique shops in The Royal Victoria Arcade in Union Street Ryde. BREW opened for the first on 18 February. BREW is just upstairs to our Museum which re-opened this week – The museum is open from 10.30 to 4.00 with last admission at 3.15 – Tuesdays to Saturday – £5 admission £1 children ( age 8-16) and under 8’s free and your ticket lasts for 14 days. Plenty of local history including ghosts and runaway bears Sportsmen, Policemen, An Ice Well and Cheeky Works of Donald McGill.

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Season’s Greetings from the Historic Ryde Society and the Museum of Ryde

As the year draws to a close, we would like to extend our warmest Christmas greetings and best wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone who has supported the Historic Ryde Society and the Museum of Ryde throughout 2025. A sincere thank you to our volunteers, collaborators, supporters, and friends, as well as to all visitors who have taken the time to explore Ryde’s remarkable heritage. Your enthusiasm, encouragement, and commitment help us protect and share the stories that make our town so special. Museum Christmas and New Year Closure Dates Please note that the Museum of Ryde will be closed from Sunday, 20 December 2025 and will re-open on Monday, 17 February 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back in February, refreshed and ready for another year of exhibitions, discoveries, and community events. With best wishes,The Historic Ryde SocietyMuseum of Ryde

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Donald McGill Museum

Donald McGill: The King of the Seaside Postcard Step into the vibrant world of Donald McGill, often hailed as the “King of the Seaside Postcard”. From 1904 to 1962, McGill created over 12,000 unique artworks, each a miniature reflection of British life. His postcards captured everything from the shifting sands of the Suffragette movement and the advent of new transport, to the sombre realities of two World Wars. They form a colourful, often humorous, social history of nearly six decades. A Glimpse into the Collection at Ryde Today, the Historic Ryde Society is proud to present the Donald McGill Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum. This remarkable collection, acquired in 2009 by James Bissell-Thomas along with the copyright to McGill’s extensive body of work, offers an unparalleled look into the artist’s prolific career and the evolving social attitudes of the 20th century. When Humour Met the Law: The Ryde Scandal of 1953 While celebrated by many, McGill’s playful humour often clashed with the stricter sensibilities of the mid-20th century. By the 1950s, over 300 of his designs had been “disapproved” by seaside councils, with censorship committees in resorts such as Blackpool and the Isle of Man vetting cards before they could reach

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