·4 min read
There were nine Ryde Citizens Awards presented, as well the Freedom of Ryde given to seven residents
John Ackroyd
John Ackroyd is the designer of the first modern-day city production electric car and was also involved in designing and building Thrust 2, which held the land speed record from 1983 to 1997.
He was selected as one of the headline Isle of Wight Hidden Heroes in 2017 and in 2018 Ryde Town Council agreed to award him the Freedom of Ryde.
John sadly passed away on 25th January 2021 after a long illness.
Below are some of the articles which mention John.
·2 min read
We can't wait to see what all the curators at the museums and galleries across the Isle of Wight have in store for us all, as several Hidden Heroes exhibitions launch this weekend.
·1 min read
Ryde Town Councillors have agreed to award the Freedom of Ryde to John Ackroyd, an inspirational resident who has placed both the town and the Isle of Wight on the world stage through his endeavours.
·2 min read
John Ackroyd has been involved with some amazing projects in his 80+ years alive. In one, he and his small team of Islanders designed and built Thrust 2 in a shed in Fishbourne. It became the fastest vehicle in the world, breaking the land speed record. Would you support him being given the Freedom of Ryde?
·3 min read
It took a forklift and some clever use of washing-up liquid to manage to squeeze the World’s first electric city car (designed and built on the Isle of Wight) into the top floor of Quay Arts three years ago. Here are the pics and a video of the delicate process
·3 min read
John Ackroyd was the embodiment of the truth that anything can be achieved on the Isle of Wight – his innovations, inventions and designs will go down in history
·2 min read
Starting off at the low point of seven in 2012, Isle of Wight electric vehicle (EV) sales have increased, with the last year seeing one of the highest increases in the country. OnTheWight has the numbers and the surprisingly high number of other vehicles registered here.
·1 min read
Members of Ryde Town Council met to consider a motion to set up an Honours Working Party, with Isle of Wight pioneer, John Ackroyd, being the first nomination to the Party for the Freedom of Ryde.
·2 min read
Celebrating 50 years of the UK's first city electric car from the Isle of Wight that went into mass production
·6 min read
Your memories of innovator, inventor, designer and master engineer and Isle of Wight resident, John Ackroyd, along with news of how he might be remembered in Ryde
·3 min read
The Papa Owl Annual Awards celebrate invention, creativity and skill development and the recognition of creative thought and fighting against the odds of life to achieve extraordinary things on the Island.
·3 min read
Steve Double not only spearheaded Project Geranium, but he is also was the power behind the Postcard Project, spreading love and kindness across the Island and beyond
