With illustrations by Maria Ward SET DURING THE 2ND WORLD WAR It’s May 1940. When 10 year old Lindy is evacuated to a village on the Isle of Wight. She befriends her neighbour Reggie who is the same age. Despite the air raids and planes flying overhead the children have many adventures. “A tale of how youngsters lives were affected by so much of the Second World War. The story comes through the eyes of an evacuee from Portsmouth. I lived my youth at this time and so much of the story registers with my memories too.” Tony Gale – Isle of Wight, author and historian Jo will be holding an official signing event of her book  Saturday 11th June 2022 from 11:00 am at the Museum of Ryde. Everyone is welcome to come and purchase a signed copy of this interesting book about the children who lived in Ryde during the 2nd World War. Purchasers of the book will have half price entry to the Museum!

We will be making history this week as we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  The Museum of Ryde want to be part of the occasion too and will be doing a photograph study to add to the almost 9000 photographs already at the Museum.  The photographs will be recording the event for future generations to enjoy and to learn how Ryde marked the event.   We have been taking photographs of decorated shops for the collection but we won’t be able to get around to photographing individual houses or street parties.  We are therefore asking you to be part of the special project.  We would like you to send into the museum photographs of your house or street parties and we will add them to the Platinum Jubilee Collection. Also, can we request if anyone is going to London to see the procession that ShadeMakers will be leading on to send in those photographs too? This is a very special moment in history and we really would like to record how Ryde celebrates/marks the occasion so please join in and send us your photographs (admin@historicrydesociety.com). Oh and then don’t forget to come and visit the museum to see all the photographs!

Historic Ryde Society is supporting Ryde Carnival Association during the Carnival Spring Walk, which will be following the route of the Carnival through Ryde.  It starts at 7pm on Wednesday 11th May at Hotel Ryde Castle on the Esplanade, and finishes at Bar 74 in Union Street with entertainment by Gina.  There will be a couple of pub stops along the way for discussions about the history of the Carnival. The Museum of Ryde will be taking along some exhibits from the collection for the walkers to view.  They will also be given vouchers for discounted entry to the Museum during May, to enjoy our full collection of carnival memorabilia and the rest of the displays.Everybody is welcome! More information about the event: Ryde Carnival.

We are pleased to announce that the Pub Quiz is back and will be on the last Thursday of each month. Unfortunately, Yelf’s are charging more for the room, so the price has raised to £4. This month it will be on the 30th September at Yelf’s Hotel, 7pm for 7.30 – 9.30pm or later!

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.