Two years ago, when Historic Ryde Society hosted a Royal Victorian Ryde weekend over the anniversary of the opening of the Royal Victoria Arcade, in July 1836, Ryde was presented with three photoboards. These boards – a bit of free fun on the seafront – were inspired by the saucy seaside postcards of Donald McGill, now forming a museum in The Orrery, 15 Union Street, an iconic building dating from the 1860s. Many thanks to James for allowing HRS to use these images.
Artist and HRS founder member Lynne Gregory Phillips designed the boards, which were then assembled by HRS Vice Chair Brian Harris. A fourth board has been commissioned for another seafront café, and is now, July 2013, in the process of being created. Over the last two years, these boards have brought in nearly £600 for funds! Very popular with visitors and locals alike, and providing some free advertising for both Ryde District Heritage Centre and the Donald McGill Postcard Museum, the boards are now worth their weight in gold!
