Island Echo always welcomes letters to the editor, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff.
Letter to the editor – 23rd May 2023
“As a member of Ryde Town Council that supported the Woodland Sessions beach party, here’s some context as to why I came to my conclusion.
“From the get-go, this is something that will benefit Ryde and Island residents as a whole. Events like this are a gift. Examples? Bestival, Wightair, Rhythm Tree, Scooter Weekend, Riverfest etc. All these have been curated by someone, with a vision and a primary goal of creating enjoyment. You don’t have to like them to appreciate, that such events are a good for the Island.
Article continues below this advertisement “The majority of complaints at the recent Council meeting revolved around noise. Having worked with stages and sound systems for over 30 years, when in front of them, they are obviously rather loud. When behind them, guess what? They are not. This event is proposing to hoof the noise out across the Solent, so for the short period of time it runs for, resident disturbance would be minimal.
“One of the Councillors bought up the issue of funding. Fair enough, we are all accountable for our decisions and as its tax payers doh ray me, it has to be justified. For this, I believe it is. For one, it has to go through due process. This appears to be lost on some but has to happen to ensure the appropriate checks and balances are carried out. Only then can it proceed.
“Justification also comes with ‘secondary spend’ and how our local community can benefit. Restaurants, hotels, pubs, shops, coffee houses etc will benefit from those attending. In short its kerching for local traders! Then we have the added prestige this will bring to our fair shores. Ryde is steaming along with some corking events and a lovely new facelift so lets show it off. This is another diary date that has the potential to achieve national, if not international status. Just like Big Beach Boutique in Brighton and the various parties that adorn the shores of Bournemouth.
“Throughout the 90s Thursday nights were rammers, and Ryde was alive across the week. My own night created with my pal Al, was called Dynamite. We were very lucky and it achieved national status, helping to launch our DJ careers. In 2005, I put together ‘Casualty’ attracting high end acts like The Shapeshifters, Judge Jules and The Freemasons to Ryde. Other venues were doing the same and the Island had a very healthy nightlife.
“One doesn’t appreciate what is being achieved at the time but reflecting, I hope my drunken DJing antics benefited others in a way that clubland benefited me. It bought excitement and enjoyment in equal measure. I’ve made life long friends, had incredible experiences and fond memories that will last a lifetime. The Woodlands sessions, for the last two years have bought much enjoyment too.
Article continues below this advertisement “Last year however, I experienced something I never have whilst playing. I cried. My view from the DJ box on stage, at one point consisted of 1,000 + people holding up their phones as candles in memory of a loved one. Together, with some of her family present, we paid tribute to fellow Ryde based DJ, Michelle Robson. She would have been on stage with us, but had tragically passed away earlier in the year. The moment reduced me to tears as the tsunami of love and affection swept across the crowd. In all my years of performing, I have never experienced an emotion like it. For those present, I still feel we were part of something humbling and incredibly special.
“This brings me on to my final point.
“Dancing next to a stranger whilst sharing the passion of music, releasing endorphins, having fun and creating memories is an experience. These days sadly, a rare experience in terms of scale. For many, it borders on spiritual. Equally, hearing a comedian deliver gag after gag or enjoying the graceful sounds of a classical performance, washing over you on the sands of Ryde; should be something to be welcomed.
“Its good for the soul, its good for us as human beings. I say embrace it and enjoy it. In my humble opinion, recalling the sea of smiling faces whopping and laughing as we grooved into the summers eve, Robin Hills loss is very much Ryde’s gain.”
Councillor Ian Dore
Binstead
Unfortunately I doubt the average person having to pay council tax that sees a year on year increase every year will support this. Events like this should not be paid for with public money in the hope it will generate more income in the town. RTC seem to like blowing money on events yet neglect the rest of the town. Ryde is a dump and and money spent would be better spent in doing the place up.
the flip side is of course that the seafront in ryde is festooned with p”ssheads, junkies and other degenerates that make the lives of those that live and work there a misery.
Just wondering where is a lovely new facelift in Ryde all I have seen is more concrete etc everywhere
It’s just way to expensive at robin hill! And it’s card only! Rubbish
Hosting the event is one thing.
Subsidising the event is another thing entirely.
Carnivals are entitled to be subsidised because they are genuine community events enjoyed by a large amount of locals.
This event is not the same, and should stand and fall on its ticket sales only.
Get a life Knocka, what ever your “bring me to tears” moment was/is this is a money spinner for you and the rest of the Ryde council cronies.
Not against the event at all but stop trying to dress this up with emotional BS.
Pounds in the bank is what it is nothing else.
Contrary to popular opinion, residents who have raised concerns about The Woodland Sessions being held next to Eastern Gardens don’t want to stop it going ahead.
We are concerned about the venue being directly opposite a main road and residential streets.
As a DJ you would know that bass is omnidirectional, so will be felt in the nearby flats & houses regardless of where the speakers are pointed.
We suggested to the organisers and councillors that it would make more sense holding it on Appley beach where Wight Wave Beach Fest has been successfully held for a number of years.
£10K of council tax given to a private venture for £250K secondary spend. How? All 2000 attendees spending £125 each outside of the venue. Where, Peter Pan’s??
Go behind the speaker stack at the IOW Festival and you can hear…..No base or music.
I have to agree Strand Resident. The setting at Appley is ideal for an music event. There’s Appley tower itself which would make a superb stage area where the DJ could literally be at the top of the tower with the sound system around the revetment. Another idea I’ve often pondered is using the publicly accessible top of Southern Waters Appley pumping station as a DJ/stage area with the grass and car park as a dance floor. (Might get a bit noisy for Puckpool residents though!). I can understand that some people aren’t happy about public funds being spent on this as it’s not their thing. What about subsidising it with online ticket sales that give you access to an “up close” VIP area and can jump the qué for the porta loo or something?
What an idiot. Respect local people not tourists. A councillor for much longer we all hope!
I have no idea what the Woodland Sessions are/is, but I do know that, from what he’s written above, Councillor Ian Dore seems to be still feeling the effects of his ‘drunken DJing’ or other substances.
Try and justify it all you like I do not want my tax money paying for frivolous garbage that causes large groups of intoxicated human scum causing damage to property both private and public the noise disturbance that you can hear very loudly from behind idiot the disruption to traffic I do not pay £360 road tax to not be allowed to use any particular roads I pay it to use whatever roads I want as and when I want period this music event crap is not necessary and local businesses wouldn’t need them if we weren’t all so heavily and unjustly TAXED so politicians both main and local can live the high life while the rest of us can’t pay the damn bills let alone afford to go to such nonsense the IOW festival needs to go as well
I bet you are a bundle of fun on a night out
AGREE…..moan moan moan moan….MOAN !
I WISH IT WAS COMING TO SANDOWN.
No noise complaints from local residents down the front because there are none !
( might disturb a few ghost thoe ).