Ryde
| Ryde | |
| Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 Ryde seen from the Solent | |
| Location | |
| Island: | Isle of Wight |
| Grid reference: | SZ591923 |
| Location: | 50°43’38"N, 1°9’42"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Ryde |
| Postcode: | PO33 |
| Dialling code: | 01983 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Isle of Wight |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Isle of Wight |
Ryde is a seaside town on the north-eastern coast of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, looking out over Spithead.
Ryde is the most populous town and urban area on the island, holding a population of approximately 30,000. The town grew in size as a seaside resort following the joining of the villages of Upper Ryde and Lower Ryde in the 19th century. The influence of this era is still strongly visible in the town's central and sea facing architecture.
As a resort, the town is noted for its expansive sands uncovered at low tide, requiring for the regular passenger ferry a long pier. Ryde Pier is a listed structure which is the fourth longest pier in the United Kingdom, and also one of the oldest.[1]
Perils of the sea
In 1782 numerous bodies of men, women and children from HMS Royal George, which sank suddenly in Spithead, were washed ashore at Ryde. Many were buried on land that is now occupied by The Esplanade. A memorial to them was erected in June 2004.
Transport
The hovercraft to Southsea is operated by Hovertravel near the Esplanade close to Ryde Esplanade railway station and the bus station. A catamaran service run by Wightlink operates from Ryde Pier to Portsmouth Harbour railway station, whence trains run at one end on the Island Line trains and the other on mainland services to London Waterloo.
Amenities
At one time Ryde had two separate piers; the other being the Victoria Pier, no longer in existence. Ryde has its own inshore rescue service which mostly has to deal with people becoming stranded on sandbanks as the incoming tide cuts them off from the shore. The pier is also a feature of the 67-mile Isle of Wight Coastal Path, which is marked with blue signs with a white seagull.
Ryde has a small marina located to the east of Ryde Pier. It is tidal and dries out at low water hence it is more suitable for smaller sailing (bilge keel) and motor cruisers. It has provision for up to 200 boats, either on floating pontoons or leaning against the harbour wall. It has a full-time harbourmaster who posts useful snippets of information on the noticeboard outside the harbour office including weather information, tide times, cruise liner movements and events that occurred on this day in history.
Churches
The twin church spires clearly visible from the sea belong to All Saints' (the taller) and Holy Trinity churches which stand over the town. Ryde's churches include:
- Church of England:
- All Saints' Church - designed by George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1872. The spire is 177 feet tall.
- Holy Trinity Church - designed by Thomas Hellyer and completed in 1845.
- St James' Church
- St Michael and All Angels, Swanmore
- Roman Catholic: St Mary's Church - built in 1846, paid for by the Countess of Clare and designed by Joseph Hansom inventor of the hansom cab.
Entertainment
Sited on The Esplanade is an ice rink and a pavilion, converted to house a nightclub and bowling alley feature on the Esplanade, the former being the home of the Isle of Wight's ice-hockey team, the "Wightlink Raiders". Many bars, pubs and restaurants can be found on the Esplanade and on the town's main shopping street, Union Street.
The town's main live music venue, Ryde Theatre, is enjoying a growing reputation and has in recent years presented many popular artists. Despite this the future of the theatre is uncertain.[2]
The town's local football team was for many years Ryde Sports FC, now replaced by Ryde Saints F.C. & Ryde FC Sunday.
Speedway is staged just outside the town. The Isle of Wight Islanders started as members of the Conference League before moving up to the Premier League.
Carnival
Ryde is noted for its carnivals. There are five throughout the year - an Arts Parade in June; Children's, Main and Illuminated processions at the end of August and a Lantern Parade in December. The Carnival at Ryde is the oldest in Britain. Attendance numbers have decreased in recent years, however reviews of the Carnival are made and there are hopes for better attendances in the near future.
In 2001 a London carnival group called Kinetika was brought to the island to teach carnival skills to adults and young people in community workshops. Since Kinetika's input the carnival has been expanding, with its effects felt throughout the island's other carnivals.
Ryde Carnival remains the island's largest carnival, with local crowds and mainland visitors totalling in excess of 50,000 spectators. Performers consist of community groups, schools, multiple samba and brass bands, stilt walkers and family groups, with over 2,000 performers taking part in August 2006.
Gallery
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Ryde from the air -
A map of Ryde from 1945 -
Ryde, seen from Ryde Pier, showing the twin spires -
Ryde Pier seen from Ryde. -
All Saints' Church
References
- ↑ BBC - "Pier-ing into the future"
- ↑ "Drama over theatres has a happy ending". Isle of Wight County Press. http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/drama-over-theatres-has-a-happy-ending-16600.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Ryde) |