Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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OH I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE!

A report of Heritage Open Days in Ryde Cemetery.

On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September Ryde Social Heritage Group held Heritage Open Days in Ryde Cemetery.

It was a sparkling weekend and despite the forecast weather of storms and heavy rain the sun shone on the travelling troubadours.

The ‘usual suspects’ worked hard: put many hours into research, collating photographs and information, finding memorabilia, transporting boxes and boxes of materials to the Heritage Centre, and arranging displays. There was a delightful miniature seaside, a tableau of a seaside scene complete with sand, sandcastles, woolly bathing costumes and even a seagull!

We are very grateful to Carisbrooke Castle Museum for the loan of artefacts to complete the whole effect.

Kate wrote and directed our new ‘Character Walk’, persuaded her reluctant friends to don 19th century costumes and act out the lives of some of the people of Ryde. The walk took visitors along “Millionaires’ Row” in Ryde Cemetery and we met Mrs Kent, the long suffering wife of Dr Kent, Lady Lees who told us all about her daughter’s lavish wedding, Colonel and Mrs Cradock who told us about their busy social life, then, after Mrs Cradock left and sadly died we met Miss Lucy Browne who the Colonel married within a year of his first wife’s death, finally we met the lovely Mrs Milligan and heard about her heroic husband and wonderful love story that led to almost 60 years of happy marriage.

We also launched our new book written by member Tony Gale and called Ryde Pubs. The book is 32 pages and lists all of the pubs past and present in the town of Ryde with a little history on each of them. Tony was on hand signing the books and encouraging visitors to purchase copies. A popular subject and a bargain at £3 they were selling like hot cakes! We will soon have our shop set up on the website where you will be able to purchase a copy but in the meantime, if you would like a copy, please contact us via the Contact button at the top of the page or speak to Tony Gale or a member of the Committee.

All weekend volunteers were kept busy researching questions from visitors and helping them to find information on their ancestors, talking about family members and memories of the past.

Over the two days we had over 300 visitors and everyone was offered tea and cakes from a willing band of helpers.

The two days were a great success and we thank all our members and visitors for their support.

Photographs by Janette Gregson, Shelagh Gaylard, David Bushell, Maisie Kitching, Tony Gale & Carol Strong