Cemetery Activity and Open Day 6 July 2008
| Despite the weather, a successful activity day was held in the cemetery on 6th July in support of the IW Council’s Restoration Project and in association with Ryde Arts Festival. Ryde Social Heritage Group, Friends Of Ryde Cemetery, Island 2000 and Bereavement Services joined together to give the public a comprehensive insight into the workings of the cemetery and some of the ongoing projects. Councillor Arthur Taylor was one of the first through the gate at just after 11am and it is estimated as many as 400 people may have attended the event. Sadly, because of the weather, some of the activities, such as the bug hunt and the visit of the horse-drawn hearse from Brickfields, were unable to go ahead, but there was still plenty of things to do and see and a steady stream of visitors came through the gate. |
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A display of some of the work done by RSHG was erected in the garden of the Lodge, copies of our book, ‘Ryde’s Heritage, Our Town, Your Histories’ as well as Cemetery Guides and Trails were on sale. David led a number of guided walks during the day, which proved very popular, and his dulcet tones could still be heard well after four o’clock. |
| St Paul’s Chapel was the site of a hugely popular demonstration of stone masonry by Wight Stonemasonry Ltd. Speaking to them at the end of the day, they were disappointed not to have had the time to see some of the exhibitions, but they were so busy dealing with engrossed carvers, they couldn’t get away. They had also picked up a couple of commissions during the day, so were very satisfied all told. |  |
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The central chapels were the scene of great activity. In the North Chapel there was a Creative Arts exhibition by pupils of Dover Park School and a small colouring competition for three different age groups was on offer, with a first prize of a gift voucher for each group (kindly donated by the Friends of Ryde Cemetery). |
Ryde High School also had a display of their very impressive photography. Friends of Ryde Cemetery were available to answer queries of all kinds, they also had an interesting display and provided welcome sustenance for the visitors. Janis, on behalf of the Restoration Project, was a mine of information and there were displays relating to the project Some of the original burial plans were also available for examination, showing names and plot numbers in the new cemetery.
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A hearse from funeral director’s H V Taylor, complete with coffin, was on hand, and an example of an environmentally friendly wicker casket was placed on one of the Victorian biers. Many people appeared to be enjoying relaxed conversations with the funeral directors, discussing such things as the price of coffins!
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Further down at the turning circle, a grave had been dug and Iain Donald from Bereavement Services gave some very fascinating talks on, amongst other things, the technicalities of grave digging and the original reason for the existence of The Bothey – as a store for earth, ready to top up graves. We also learned the name of the wooden rods used to support the coffin before it is lowered into the grave, they are ‘put logs.’ |
The last main event of the day was a talk on some of the inhabitants of the cemetery by Roy Brinton. As ever, Roy’s talk was well received, and with the prizes for the colouring competition drawn, the afternoon came to a close shortly afterwards.
Diana Wood and Kate McDonell
8 July 2008