Bunting and festoon lighting could once again be hung across Ryde’s main shopping district if local property owners get behind plans by Ryde Town Council. The Town Council is consulting on the installation of eyebolts on buildings in the High Street, Union Street and Cross Street, which would facilitate the installation of lighting during the Christmas season and other seasonal decorations, such as bunting, in the Summer. It’s proposed that LED lighting will be hung from a network of steel support cables, each anchored into the town centre buildings around 21ft high. It will be a throwback to earlier decades – such as the 1970s – when bunting and festoon lighting were aplenty in the town – something often said to be missed by locals. 
Plans are in the early stages but local property owners have been written to in a bid to gauge the level of interest in the initiative. In their letter, Ryde Town Council says:
“We believe that implementing festoon lighting would not only enhance the ambiance of the Town but also make a greater impression on both residents and visitors alike”.
The cost and responsibility of installing the eyebolts, hanging the lighting and stress testing the anchor points will be with Ryde Town Council and NDLE Ltd.
The old saying fits well here ‘you can’t polish a turd’
No harm in trying though
Or, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig.
You romantic old fool.
But you can roll it in glitter!
Anybody know what church spire that is looking along Cross street?
Ryde Congregational Church. Demolished 1974 – The lovely Richmond;s furniture store was built in its place.
Ryde Congregational Church, on the corner of George Street and Melville Street.
It is the Congregational Church which closed in 1974. It was demolished and is now the site of what was Richwood’s furniture shop with flats above.
Oh how lovely, yes please. That’ll certainly cheer the place up.
Oh joy, something else for our apparently broke town council to spend our money on. They just keep coming up with these brilliant ideas.
I hope Ryde Town Council have checked with Island Roads, they will object to anything that might bring a bit of joy…
It’s going to take a lot more than a bit of bunting to make Ryde better. I suppose it will stop people looking at the run down empty shops though
Think yourself lucky have you seen Sandown High Street lately, so sad to see this
.
There are lots of things I miss from the high street, but bunting isn’t one of them. I really think RTC should be thinking about the future not trying to create something which is part of the past.