Thanks to Claire for sharing details about this free activity taking place next week. Ed
Ever visited a sponge garden or met a star ascidian? Now’s your chance!
Spectrum’s Natural Wight has joined up with the team from Arc to explore a little-known side of Ryde – a whole water world tucked under Ryde’s iconic pier.
Not just sandpooling
As well as ‘sandpooling’ under the pier and along the beach, there will be beachcombing and beach art.
In the run-up to the day, children from the Cool Time Club at Spectrum’s Route 66 in Oakfield are getting a sneak preview.
With the help of artist Ian Whitmore they’re learning about the sort of marine life they’ll discover Under the Pier, and are creating large sea creatures to decorate parts of the pier and beach for the event.
Wightlink have kindly given permission for the artwork to be hung on the pier itself. Children from Spectrum’s Southampton estate will also be visiting especially for the event for their Wildlife Club summer celebration.
An amazing side to Ryde revealed
Ian Boyd from Arc explains,
“There’s a fascinating marine world that has become very attached to Ryde Pier! The pools created by the pier struts and the engineering itself support all sorts of interesting sea creatures and it’s only at low tide that this amazing side to Ryde reveals itself.
“We’ll be ‘sandpooling’ rather than rockpooling to make the most of the whole of the western beach and we’ll also be recording anything we find to support the Wildlife Trust’s Shoresearch project.”
Claire Hector who works with both Spectrum’s Natural Wight project and Arc explains,
“Natural Wight aims to help people, Spectrum communities in particular, discover new ways to get out and about exploring nature on their doorstep – and here on the doorstep of Ryde’s busiest shopping street and seaside entertainment is this whole other wild, species-rich side to Ryde. It’s stunning, free to visit, and a source of endless inspiration for Ryde’s residents and visitors!
“The event is a pilot project for Spectrum’s Wild about Wight – part of the East Wight Landscape Partnership Project’s HLF-funded Down to the Coast Programme. We hope to make it an annual event as part of the DttC programme’s celebration of East Wight.”
Where and when
Meet on the West side of Ryde Pier (left hand side) at the entrance to the beach on the green at the end of Union Street/St Thomas Street, Ryde.
Bring a bucket and make sure to wear wellies or waterproof shoes. Expect to get a bit wet!
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
Image: © Ian Boyd Snakelock anemone from under Ryde Pier
