Popular writer Hunter Davies was among supporters who breathed a sigh of relief this week at the news that the Museum of Ryde – on the verge of closure – has been reprieved.
The museum has been saved, at least for this year, thanks to the generosity of hundreds of local people.
On the night, a big thanks you were given to Island Echo whose article calling on people to “use or lose” the museum 2 months ago sparked a major funding campaign.
Local companies, including the Cigar Lounge, and Pickle and Dill, and the Ryde Business Association helped organise a cheese and wine party last week attended by more than 70 people, which raised £7000. This included individual donations of £1000 and £3000.
The museum is in the basement of the Grade II star-listed Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street, where chairman of the Historic Ryde Society Brian Harris said:
“It’s enough to keep us going for another year. We’ve been very humbled by people’s generousity. But these are tough times.”
Brian, 76, a former Ryde Mayor in 2010-11, and his wife Sandy, have been running the museum since it opened 12 years ago. The HRS won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2015.
Hunter, who has a house in Ryde, featured Brian and the museum in his recent book about the island, Love In Old Age: My Year In The Wight House.
He said that supporting the Museum of Ryde is really about supporting ourselves.
“It’s the history of people who live in Ryde but it’s not just about our town. It’s about people who lived in the past and live today.
“I remember walking around the museum and seeing a party of people of all ages who suddenly recognised the school they’d gone to. They’d recognise the uniform and the photos and it started so many memories. You don’t need architectural wonders in a museum with famous people – you just need ordinary stuff.”
Hunter’s favourite exhibit is the Donald McGill saucy postcard exhibition, which he called “The Museum of the Rude.”
In 1953, police raided 5 shops in Ryde and seized over 5000 McGill postcards. Donald was prosecuted under the 1857 Obscene Publications Act.
Hunter admitted the postcards were not always politically correct, adding:
“But it’s social history and unique. McGill is not just a great artist. He’s witty and funny and many enjoy his double entendres. You get far worse today.”
Editor’s footnote: It’s fantastic to see that our article about the Museum has had such a positive impact. We are glad to help this not-for-profit organisation, especially in our hometown of Ryde.
Thank you Island Echo
Why isn’t the National Lottery funding the Museum of Ryde? Surely it is a worthy cause!
I might be wrong, but I thought the National Lottery only funded new initiatives/charities. And then on a matched funding basis…
Thank you Island Echo, fun museum.
I love those saucy postcards; they make me chuckle, “Oh, Matron”.
Does anyone remember in the ’70s when it was left abandoned? Then, in the late ’70s, the basement had jumble-sale/brick-brac sellers; second-hand clothes, vinyl, cassettes, 8-track. I remember it smelt damp down there and the continual smell of nicotine because the sellers were chain smokers.