Award-winning producer and screenwriter, Dominic Minghella, has a deep affection for his home town of Ryde and in a blog post he has created exclusively for the High Streets Heritage Action Zone Website, he shares childhood memories and his hopes for how the High Street can thrive in the future.
No stranger to blogging, the creator of the popular ITV show, Doc Martin, which returns to our screens on 7th September, reveals charming details about growing up as part of the famous Minghella family.
Four older siblings
The youngest of five children, Dominic’s parents Edward and Gloria were on the council, serving on committees, supporting charities and running a very active business on the High Street.
His brother Anthony, was the Oscar winning film director who made his name with films such as The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley.
Minghella: I was left to my own devices with so much freedom
Dominic is just the latest contributor from Ryde and Newport to the blog section of the Heritage Action Zone Website.
“I had a very particular childhood growing-up in Ryde and became independent from a very early age.
“Because my parents were so busy, I was left to my own devices with so much freedom to do what I wanted. My sister enjoys recounting how she told my Mum she had seen me on my bike on my own on the seafront. My Mum said that was fine as it was perfectly safe – but I was only 2.5 years old.
“That was the advantage of being part of a tightly knit community. As a child, I thought it was great because if I needed anything I could just go to the shops where we had an account to get what I needed.
“If my Mum was too busy I would take myself off to the shops where I could get my school uniform and buy my own trousers. I can recall bringing friends home from school for tea and it would be cooked in the kitchen of the cafe. We made it ourselves putting the chips in the fryer and afterwards we would want to play football and as we left through the back of the shop, we would try to dodge my Dad who would be in full production making ice cream.
“Most of the time we would end up getting roped in, putting lids on the tubs and carrying them into the cold rooms, and in the end my friends weren’t keen to come round because it was too much like hard work.
“I did enjoy so much freedom when I was growing-up and when I look back it’s not so much with rose-tinted spectacles as with technicolour glasses. My memories are the colours of Nigh’s iconic 1970s postcards of the Island – the flower beds along the esplanade, and somehow that sense of the Island being at the centre of the world – the place to which everybody wanted to come for their holiday.”
Minghella: We need to find a way to nudge Ryde and Newport forward
Looking at the plans to breathe new life into the High Street in Ryde, Dominic had the following observations.
“Looking to the future of the high street in Ryde and what can be done to bring people there, I think about what I’ve noticed on my travels around the world.
“When you have a defined centre or square, people will gravitate towards it. Everything flows when there is a nice place to sit and there are good restaurants, bars and coffee shops to visit.
“We need to find a way to nudge Ryde and Newport forward, so they become aspirational – there are already lots of positives with the new restaurants and bars springing up and the Island becoming known for its local produce.”
He added,
“I do believe in the nudge theory, where if you feel like there is a commitment to a cause that is long-term, you would feel more inclined to want to take a risk and set up a business.”
Gibson: His post is full of warmth and charm
Commenting on the latest blog post, Martin Gibson, Newport and Ryde High Street Heritage Action Zone Project Manager, said,
“We were really pleased that Dominic was able to contribute to our blog.
“His post is full of warmth and charm, recollecting a childhood that helped to shape the man he has become.”
Share your stories
Martin explained the opportunity to be interviewed for a blog post is open to residents in Ryde and Newport with a story to share, a love of their hometown and a viewpoint on the future regeneration plans. He said,
“We’d love to hear from people living in Ryde and Newport who would like to be featured on the blog. To make the process as easy as possible all you need to do is take part in a 30 min interview and a draft blog will be created for you to sign-off and we will do the rest.”
If you would like to find out more about contributing to the blog contact [email protected]
Dominic’s blog and all the contributions so far can be read by visiting the Isle of Wight HAZ Website.
News shared by Kate on behalf of Ryde HAZ. Ed
