Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

CHARLES DICKENS
Charles John Huffam Dickens was born in Portsmouth on February 7th 1812 and is generally considered to be one of the greatest English novelists of the Victorian period.

MRS BEATON AND HER CHRISTMAS PUDDING
In 1861 Mrs Beaton’s Book of Household Management was published.

SAINTS, SOULS AND SERVICEMEN
Images of cemeteries, graves and wreaths, (particularly poppies), are prominent in November and at Ryde Cemetery poppy crosses will be placed on war memorials by families and friends in memory of lost love ones.

RYDE PIER THEN AND NOW
In 1878 Ryde Pier Head was a pleasant spot for an evening's entertainment...

BOTANIC BEER
What could be more refreshing than a glass of cold botanic beer?

A FAMILY STORY AND THE ROYAL ESPLANADE HOTEL
Joy McPherson from Australia contributed her research into her great-grandfather, his brother and their families who were all resident in Ryde from around 1891 to 1923.

COL AND MRS CRADOCK’S “AT HOME”
On Thursday afternoon Colonel and Mrs Cradock gave a garden party at their residence, The Castle, Ryde.

ROYAL ISLE OF WIGHT HORTICULTURAL SHOW – JUNE 1863
The first flower show of the season took place in the beautiful grounds attached to Buckingham-villa.

A ROYAL MARRIAGE
The marriage of Princess Louise and John, the Marquis of Lorne 21 March 1871

A GIFT FOR RYDE CEMETERY
A three-light stained glass window for the East-end of the Church of England chapel at the Cemetery

St Valentine’s Day Fancy Dress Ball
St Valentine’s Day, was celebrated in Ryde with a fancy and evening dress ball at the Town Hall

Snow and Storms hit Ryde in January 1881
RYDE was visited by a terrific storm...