‘Giving Ryde’s Past to the Future’

Historic Ryde Society Quiz Night Thursday 27 November 2025 at Yelf's Hotel, at 7p.m. for 7.30pm.

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Busy Bee Sponsors Quiz Night

We are pleased to announce that Busy Bee Garden Centre has agreed to sponsor the next Quiz Night, to coincide with the opening of their new store. Busy Bee has been spending the last few months building a state of the art Garden Centre with Glass Atrium, Restaurant with balcony, disabled access and a glass fronted entrance hall. For more information about Busy Bee Garden Centre and date of opening of the new store visit the Busy Bee website here.

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Heritage Open Days – day three

Brian had brought all his tools with him, hoping to find time to drill a couple of holes in the fire door……NO CHANCE! The general public came down the stairs from 10:20, although the Centre wasn’t officially open until 11am! By eleven, there had been 17 visitors already. A steady stream continued throughout the day, including members, small groups of curious children, someone who had played bass guitar in a band at the Diamond Club, visitors from the Island, the mainland and Canada. Brian finally drilled the holes at about a quarter past four in the afternoon. Over 100 people visited the Centre during the day, and funds were given a considerable boost. Four people expressed an interest in volunteering, including a fifteen year old local boy, which is exactly the age group with which Historic Ryde Society needs to be engaging! All in all, everyone seemed very impressed with the exhibitions, some even saying they were going to return on Sunday, the last of the Heritage Open Days of 2013. Barbara had a very busy day, with many people expressing great interest in her lace work, and she increased her fan base considerably over the course of the day. The photograph shows Oliver

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Heritage Open Days – day one….

Ninety two people visited the Heritage Centre on the first day of Heritage Open Days! We welcomed Barbara and Ann from the Isle of Wight lace making group, who proved very popular. Barbara even had a round of applause from some young admirers last thing in the day. More images on the gallery pages. The Heritage Centre closed to the public on Friday, September 13, for a meeting of conservation officers from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. After lunch, the group was given a guided tour, including the history of the arcade and the creation of the heritage centre. This included a foretaste of plans for the future extension of the Centre to include the ice well and further areas of the basement, and the recreation of the late Georgian confectionery which would have existed in the building. The group was then taken on a tour of other buildings in the town which benefited from the Ryde Townscape Heritage Initiative, by IW Council Principal Conservation Officer, Lee Byrne. This is the third time the Heritage Centre has been used for private meetings, and it has proved to work well. Return to homepage.

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Cyril saves the day! (Well, almost…)

An unexpected  phone call on Sunday, September 1, requesting we open Appley Tower for the Visit Isle of Wight human dinosaur event, meant a quick change of plan for Diana – and subsequently, Brian – today! It also enabled the Visit Isle of Wight team, and Island Echo photographers, to shoot their aerial photographs of the event, to add to the photographs already being taken from the air. Brian and Diana welcomed nearly one hundred people into the tower, and had a very busy and interesting afternoon in the shop. A very different experience to running the Heritage Centre, and a refreshing change. Thanks to James for the opportunity! PS You’re looking at it upside-down…..:D  For a better, aerial view on the Isle of Wight Radio website, click here. Oops! It appears it’s no longer there…..many apologies! Return to Homepage.      

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Another ice well in Union Street!

Recent research into the history of ice wells and the 19th century ice trade has revealed the existence of a second ice well in Union Street, Ryde. In a domestic, rather than commercial setting, nothing else is yet known about the exact whereabouts or dimensions of this well, at Number 12 Union Street. The Hampshire Telegraph of October 23, 1847 contains an advertisement of the sale of the premises by Francis Pittis, which reveals: ‘The premises were erected by the proprietor for his own occupation, and no expense has been spared in the elegance and durability of their construction. Since his retirement a Shop Front has been added, with Plate Glass windows; and they are now in the occupation of Mr Dudelle, Perfumer &c, as yearly tenant, and present Business Premises unequalled for situation, and contain most spacious and elegant apartments for a Lodging House, and by which a large profit may be realized. ‘The House comprises on the basement, Kitchen, housekeeper’s room, butler’s room, larder, scullery, wash house, store room, coal house, beer and wine cellars, and ice well; on the ground floor, front shop, private entrance opening to an elegant and spacious hall and the grand staircase, dining room, library, dressing room,

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