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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Skating Carnivals

Ryde Pier Pavilion January 1908

During the Edwardian era one of the main amusements outside the home during the winter months was skating, be it ice-skating, or roller-skating as in the article below.  The Pier Pavilion at Ryde was ideal for this pastime as it contained a vast area of floor space, which could accommodate dancing or skating and many other activities. The building also had a gallery above and all around, from where spectators could view the proceedings.

13 January 1909
A fancy-dress skating carnival was held at the Pier Pavilion on Wednesday evening, when there was a large attendance of skaters, the majority of whom wore fancy dress. The programme of events included racing, graceful skating, waltzing, and other competitions. For which a number of prizes were presented.  The awards for fancy-dress were voted by the audience as follows:

Ladies’ –1. Miss Smith (Witch); 2. Miss Mew (Turkish lady); 3. The Misses Gill (Canadian skaters);

Gentlemen- 1. Mr. Trollope (Coster); 2. Mr. E. Bradfield (Charles 1); 3. Mr. Graham Attrill (Courtier).

Mr. J. Langdon and Miss J. Smith were the winners of other prizes.

12 February 1910
A fancy-dress skating carnival was held at the Pier Pavilion on Thursday evening.  There was a large attendance of skaters, and the gathering of spectators in the gallery was numerous despite the unpropitious nature of the weather.  Competitions were held during the evening under the supervision of Professor Bradfield, and prizes were given for the best fancy dresses.  The winners of the competitions were a follows:

Skater v. Runner – 1. Mr. M. de Launay (runner)

Waltzing competition – 1. Miss Brown & Mr. Baldwin; 2. Miss Smith & Mr. de Launay.

The fancy dresses were varied and very attractive.  Prizes were gained among the ladies by 1. Miss V. Parker (Winter); 2. Miss List (Courtier); 3. Miss Watts (Queen Elizabeth).

The trade costumes were very good indeed, some displaying great taste and ingenuity.  The first prize was awarded to Mr. E. Bradfield, (Raleigh Cycles), who was magnificently dressed as the great Sir Walter.  Exhibitions of skating were given during the evening.

Note:
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.

Source: IW Observer & RSHG Archive
Image: Postcard 1908 Kingswell Collection
Article: Ann Barrett