On Friday, June 19, the Royal Victoria Arcade welcomed The Victorian Strollers – a national group from many parts of the country, who join together in Victorian costume for various events. The group was on the Island to take part in the Victorian weekend at Havenstreet Steam Railway, but visited Ryde some weeks ago, and offered to visit the Heritage Centre, and promote it and the Donald McGill Museum, in Union Street.
Arriving a little early, and taking us by surprise! – the group toured the Heritage Centre and visited the ice well. They then wandered around the town, distributing leaflets for the Centre and the Orrery, before visiting the Orrery and the Donald McGill Museum, where they were treated to a cream tea, courtesy of James Bissell Thomas and Historic Ryde Society.
Queen Victoria even found time to honour a local businessman in the arcade.
Historic Ryde Society was delighted The Victorian Strollers gave the Ice Well Fund a welcome boost of £125, the proceeds from a pub quiz over the weekend.
