Ryde Architecture
THE PIER PAVILION
All through the early 1890’s, the subject of erecting a Pavilion at the end of the Pier, was a regular topic at meetings of the local Council. It would satisfy a great want for the inhabitants and visitors alike, and going by the high remuneration levels that the pier pavilion at Southsea brought into that town, it was sure to be a great success at Ryde.
Many discussions were had with the Pier Company, and in June 1893 Mr Isaac Barton was making arrangements to drive the test pile for a new pavilion on the Pier. A number of appliances for laying the foundation piles had arrived to erect the pavilion in the triangular space at the end of the Pier. It was hoped that next year that the end of the Pier would have a Pavilion which would defy the elements, and, no doubt, attract a larger number to the pleasing concerts, than hitherto were possible at the marquee pavilions used previously.
By the end of May 1894, the work of driving in the piles to form a deck upon which the new Pavilion on the Pier was to be built, was rapidly proceeding. Judging from the plans, which were exhibited at the Pier gate, the new Pavilion would be a very handsome and comfortable structure. The architect was Mr. R. St. George Moore, and the builders Messrs. Roe and Grace.
Pavilion Postcard 1900
Finally, the new Pavilion was completed and on 26 June 1895, the Volunteer Band attended to test the acoustic properties of the building and a number of the prominent townsmen took the opportunity of walking over the Pavilion, when all expressed their delight with the interior of the building. It was decided to arrange a grand opening of the building on July 4th, and the Chairman of the Company and directors would issue invitations to a luncheon.
It was said that for many months the inhabitants of the town had watched with interest the handsome structure at the end of the Pier gradually emerging as it were, out of the sea, in the angle between the two Piers. It had been a work of great labour, and no little engineering skill was required to drive the piles, as the foundation was in such unsubstantial ground, and to rear upon those piles a structure so large and substantial.
Sir Richard Webster, the member for the Island, had kindly consented to perform the opening ceremony. An impressive number of dignitaries and influential people had assembled to participate in the proceedings. The company sat down to a sumptuous luncheon, which was laid out in elegant style in the large concert room.
Description of the Pavilion
It occupied that space that existed between the Ryde Pier and the Railways Pier. It was carried on 39 iron columns framed together with steel rolled joists and circular tie-rods. The foundations for these columns being bell shaped castings sunk below the surface of the ground.
The building had an octagonal concert hall and annex. The concert hall was sixty-five feet in each direction, and capable of seating seven hundred people on the ground floor. In the hall, fourteen feet above the ground floor, was a promenade gallery ten feet wide, carried by ornamental columns. The stage was capable of accommodating 25 performers, with two dressing rooms accessible from the building or the outside.
The annex contained, on the ground floor, a large public refreshment room, a private refreshment room, ladies’ and gentlemen’s retiring rooms, a spacious entrance hall, and board room.
On the first floor there were rooms facing to the north and north-east, a private staircase, a room facing east with a large balcony over the porch, and a reading room with a balcony facing south and east.
Round the base of the dome and of a portion of the annex roof, there was a promenade, from which magnificent views were obtainable.
The building was carried out entirely in wood, on a framework of steel and iron, roofed with zinc and asphalt. The interior was decorated in cream and yellow, with terra-cotta canvas panels, and enriched by over 100 stained glass windows. The total cost was £5338.
The full report of the opening ceremony can be found in the Isle of Wight Observer 6 July 1895 page 5, over three columns
Sources: IW Observer & RSHG Archive
Images: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett