The new stairlift was officially opened this morning by Ryde’s new Mayor, Cllr Roi Milburn. A grant from the Community Development Foundation enabled Historic Ryde Society to purchase the stairlift, which has already proved useful for visitors.
Acting Chair of Historic Ryde Society, Cllr Brian Harris, welcomed the small group of dignitaries, before inviting Mayor Milburn to sit in the chair and ‘belt up’. The quip was made it probably won’t be the only time this year that Cllr Harris asks Mayor Milburn to ‘belt up’!
The image shows Ryde Mayor, Cllr Milburn on the stairs. He went down singing ‘Wish me well as you wave me goodbye!’ Isle of Wight Deputy Chairman Cllr Charles Chapman then came back up the stairs in the lift.
Members of the local CDF committee, Sue Bicknell, Ian Jenkins and Diana Wood were also present. A little excitement was added by the balloons on the chair bursting like champagne corks during the descent!
