Memories of Victoriana

Remembered in August 1968
As Ryde celebrated its Centenary Year, one of the town’s oldest residents, Mr. G. Hooper, of 66 St. John’s Road, recalled the borough early days.

He saw the Tower and Spire of All Saints’ being built and the arrival of the eight bells from Messrs. Taylor of Loughborough, which were draped with flags and taken up to the church via Pier Street and Union Street. He also heard the first peal rung on Ascension Day 1886.  He was taken to Queen’s Road and sat on the wall there.  The Vicar, the Rev. A. Poole, was on holiday in Jamaica at that time—but was greeted by a peal on his return.

As a small boy he remembered seeing the sea wall and Canoe Lake being under construction, and some rocks and water by Appley Glen.  A little way along the sea wall to Springvale there was a private pier belonging to the late Sir William Hutt of Appley Towers.  It was taken down when owing to weather condition, it became unsafe.  He saw a man walk on a tight-rope across the Canoe Lake, and was told it was “The Great Blondin.”

Mr. Hooper could just recollect the steam tram on Ryde Pier before the advent of the electric railway which succeeded it.  They, as boys, used to try and race it.  There were two carriages; First Class 2d., Second Class 1d.  The pavilion on the pier was built and opened in 1895.

In the Jubilee of Queen Victoria he saw the Queen being driven by the ponies, in her carriage down Union Street and Pier Street—which was splendidly decorated for the occasion; and also, the Grand Illumination of the Fleet at night off Spithead.  The Queen often used to drive through Ryde.

Many boys from Ryde (of which he was one) went every day over to Portsmouth Grammar School, and the following steamers were running, which they used. “The Heather Belle,” which was a very large converted gentleman’s yacht and used mostly for excursion work; “Albert,” “Edward” and “Alexandra,” three double-enders;  “Victoria,” “Duchess of Edinburgh,” “Duchess of Connaught,” “Duchess of Albany,” “Princess Margaret.”

At the top of the High Street—where the Youth Club later stood—there were some steps which took you down to some old houses.  Opposite the Castle Hotel—lying well back with grass near, were Tea Gardens kept by Lewis; and where Messrs. Ramage’s Chemist Shop was in 1968, was a florist shop kept by Mr. James, whose nurseries were on the low-lying ground almost next door to Rutland Lodge.  The Prince of Wales Hotel in the High Street was old in 1850.  He used to love being taken to Messrs. Dimmick’s Florist Shop just below, and to go through their glass-houses—which were full of lovely plants and flowers and ran right through to Victoria Street.

He used to enjoy Poole’s Panorama at the Town Hall, and the yearly visit of the Gilbert and Sullivan Operas at the Theatre Royal.

With regard to Messrs. Way and Riddett in Lind Street, he remembered it being the headquarters of the Salvation Army; it was known in the early days as the Victoria Rooms and many entertainments took place there, “Pepper’s Ghost” was one he saw.

There was in Pier Street a very old house opposite the Pier Hotel, which prided itself as being the shop known as Cluit’s where the Original Isle of Wight Doughnuts were first made.  It was demolished in 1895 and the King Lud was erected there.

Sources: IW Times & RSHG Archive
Image: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett