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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Michaelmas Celebration 26 September 2015

On Saturday 26 September between 11am and 2pm, 40-50 people attended RSHG’s Michaelmas Event at Ryde Cemetery. Traditionally Michaelmas celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The weather was glorious, better than a lot of the days we had in high summer.

Many people enjoyed strolling around the cemetery. The Conservation area has an abundance of blackberries, rosehips and haws and some very pretty last roses of summer. The well tended flower beds in front of the twin chapels are particularly colourful with masses of dahlias in full bloom. These were attracting a lot of bees. The sunshine also brought out a variety of butterflies, those spotted included a peacock, a brimstone and some large whites and speckled woods.

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Both sweet and savoury refreshments were served in the North Chapel where a continuous buzz of friendly and cheerful conversation could be heard.

Our seasonal exhibition in the South Chapel had an added Michaelmas theme this year.

Two lots of mainland visitors were helped with family research whilst many locals conducted their own research using the onsite computers and RSHG archive files. The RSHG Research Team has several lines of enquiries to look into in the forthcoming weeks.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in this successful and enjoyable event.