This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
A fascinating insight into the historic war graves at Ryde Cemetery can be discovered at a large family event held at the cemetery this weekend.
On Saturday 16 April between 10am and 4pm, Isle of Wight Council’s Bereavement Services is hosting a day led by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (WGC) that focuses on the two world wars and the stories behind how the war graves came to be there.
Guided tours
A variety of activities and events are taking place, including guided tours of the recently-refurbished cemetery, details about war graves, presentations by the WGC and model aircraft from the wars including a Spitfire and a German Fokker.
Pupils from Dover Park Primary School have also produced an exhibition in the cemetery’s heritage learning centre.
Restoration works on display
In 2009, restoration work on the 12 acre Ryde Cemetery site began which included restoring the old Mortuary Chapel and archway in West Street, two central chapels, rebuilding some of the boundary walls, restoring selected grave headstones and installing new railings and gates in Pellhurst Road.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) provided almost half a million pounds towards the project, which was supported by Isle of Wight Council, the Friends of Ryde Cemetery (FORC) and Ryde Social Heritage Group (RSHG) who provided historical information, mapping and volunteering.
Image: © Google Streetview
