Talk on Ryde Pubs 8 November 2017

Standing room only at the Simeon Arms, Ryde last week, for a very interesting talk on ‘Pubs of Ryde’, given by one of our long standing and loyal RSHG members, Mr. Tony Gale. Tony began by describing how Ryde town had evolved and how during the Napoleonic Wars, the great and the good, had travelled from the mainland and were the first tourists. Out of the beer and spirits drinking business, large properties were built, and the town expanded.

It was astonishing to know there were so many large pubs, drinking houses, and small back rooms which sold liquor. Tony not only showed slides of the buildings and some interiors but also gave a history of the Ryde Breweries, brewing their own beer. Tony described two pubs situated opposite each other in the High Street, at the junction with Green Street and St. John’s Road, (The Malt and Hops and The Brewers Arms.) When they emptied their patrons at closing time a fight would ensue. A lad would be sent to the Police Station and a policeman would walk slowly down, by which time the fight would have been over!

Several RSHG members attended the talk which was enjoyed by all. Proceeds from the evening were in aid of the Ryde Mayor’s Charity Fund.

Picture Source: simeonarms.co.uk