Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.

Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

Members Tour around St Thomas’s

The Rest Garden in front of St Thomas's

We arranged for our members to be taken on a tour around St Thomas’s Church in Ryde town, and 18 people turned up on Monday morning 3^rd June. We were able to see the renovations that had been made, including new flooring, windows repaired and the kitchen moved. The decoration greatly brightened the interior. False walls had been erected at the end of the main room, offices arranged at the front of the building, and a lot of other necessary work carried out. The external walls have been cleaned, paving laid down, and the clock refurbished.

It was a great opportunity to see the changes that had been made since Ryde Social Heritage Group had used the church between 2008 and 2012.

This historic church building will be officially opened in July, and will be used by the children of Network Ryde.

Ann Barrett
Membership Secretary
Research & Publications Co-ordinator