RYDE BUS MUSEUM REOPENS FOR SUMMER SEASON AFTER CATASTROPHIC AUTUMN FLOODING

Ryde Bus and Coach Museum has reopened following catastrophic flooding in October last year. Fortunately, the flooding left the museum’s vehicle collection unscathed; however, some promotion materials and records fell victim to the flood which reached the height of a foot. Island Echo visited the museum – located on Park Road – and spoke with Richard Newman to discover what it could offer visitors. Ryde Bus and Coach Museum covers important aspects of Isle of Wight transport from the 1880s to the 1990s. Altogether, it has 20 vehicles on display, of which 17 are to be found inside the building itself. The collection of vehicles varies as buses and coaches are loaned and borrowed from other heritage collections. The oldest vehicle on display is a Vanner stagecoach from the 19th century that has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

The museum is currently attempting to restore a Daimler bus from the Vectis Bus Company of the 20s, that fortunately survived the devastating fire at the company’s Somerton Works that destroyed 13 buses.

It had been discovered in an orchard in Ashey where it had been used by an old gentleman for accommodation. The Bus and Coach Museum is open 4 days a week – Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – from 10:00 to 16:00.

It is manned by over 30 regular volunteers but is always looking for more – especially those with mechanical skills. Anyone wishing to drive the buses requires a PSV license. The museum is also keen to acquire old photographs of former Southern Vectis staff. Children are more than welcome – sometimes it is possible for them to sit in the driver’s seat of some of the vehicles. There is a special Children’s Room with activities available for visitors. Young visitors can also hunt for the caterpillars that have been stuck onto a numberof the museum’s buses.

There is a shop and tea bar with plenty of souvenirs available to buy as well as an extensive collection of (mostly transport) books for sale. Entrance is free; however, donations from the public are more than welcome. The main attraction for the older visitor is the chance to sit in the kind of bus (possibly the very bus) they once travelled in as a child.

When asked about the attraction of buses, Richard Newman said:

“Buses have always been a part of my life. I’ve had 75 years of bus travel and worked for 25 years as part of the industry. “There was always a great atmosphere on the buses. We had a nice collection of people working at Southern Vectis.”