Regency Ryde Open Days at Ryde Cemetery 20 – 21 June 2015

Around 150 people enjoyed the Regency Ryde weekend hosted by Ryde Social Heritage Group at Ryde Cemetery. The rain showers on Saturday only amounted to a few spots and everyone was able to enjoy the full programme of events.

Exhibitions gave an insight into Ryde from 300 years ago when there was a fishing village on the shore and a farming community in today’s upper High Street area, through the development of the town in the Georgian Period to commemorations of the Battle of Waterloo 200 years ago, 18 June 1815. Parties, balls, the theatre and strolling along the new promenade pier were the order of the day. New streets were laid out and the wealthy built large marine residences with fantastic views of The Solent.

The ‘Maritime Matters’ display showed how the illicit smuggling trade was rife in Ryde in the 1700s, followed by the recruitment of local customs and coastguard officers to put an end to it; many recruits being ex-smugglers it did little to prevent the trade, just cover it up! Many ships captains and admirals made Ryde their home, preferring it to the busy, densely populated, sprawling town of Portsmouth. From HMS Sirius and the First Fleet leaving for Australia to the disasters of HMS Royal George and HMS Invincible, The Solent saw plenty of action in Georgian times. A collection of books on loan from Ryde Library gave visitors additional material to pore over alongside the new display sheets prepared for this exhibition.

The Battle of Waterloo bi-centenary display recounted the battle and the part played by Robert Milligan of Ryde. He was severely wounded but survived returning to Ryde for many more years. He is buried in Ryde Cemetery and volunteers were able to show visitors his grave and recount his story. Pictures of the red and blue uniforms of the day coloured the display.

Fashions were an important part of Regency life and our mannequin, kindly supplied and dressed by Shelagh, appropriately depicted a Jane Austen style character with a book to read and a basket of needlework, popular pastimes for ladies of the period.

Models of smugglers complete with a miniature brandy barrel and grappling hook, and regency figures, loaned by Carisbrooke Castle Museum, together with model ships and a regency style dolls house box room, made by Kate, gave visitors a real feel for life in the period.

Cemetery walks, guided by David and self-guided using our trail leaflets, and our renowned ‘Character Walk’ took place throughout the weekend and proved to be as popular as ever with our visitors. The new characters, Charles Pratt, Mrs Milligan and Granny Wood, played by Dave, Ann and Shelagh, performed in the South Chapel instead of walking in the cemetery in case the threatened rain fell during the act. An appreciative audience was treated to wonderful stories of their lives in Regency Ryde. Kate was our somewhat nervous narrator, remembering Granny Wood from her schooldays and not looking forward to facing her again. Granny, although by now in her 90s, never forgot a name or face, and true to form, Kate was in trouble with her again as soon as she opened her mouth! Great ad-libbing by Shelagh raised smiles and laughs amongst the audience, no doubt remembering their own school days, and very much brought Granny and her times to life.

Refreshments were served all day and RSHG members were on hand to provide help to visitors in locating graves and researching their family history. Our information folders, in their brand new covers, were in constant use with no sooner one was being put back on the shelf it was taken down to read again.

The weather stayed perfect for the weekend, just the few spots of rain and a little more wind on Sunday, and not too hot so everyone didn’t disappear to the beach and came to visit us instead. A really enjoyable weekend was had by all.

If you missed the weekend you can see our Georgian and Regency Ryde exhibition in Ryde Library until the end of July.