Congratulations to all involved, it’s great to have some good news stories. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Several projects to restore and preserve areas of Ryde have been highlighted at the annual Isle of Wight Society Conservation Awards.
The major project to restore parts of Ryde Cemetery to its original look picked up the main Restoration Award, being chosen ahead of 15 other schemes.
Buildings and graves at cemetery restored
The project last year, which was led by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by IW Council and the Friends of Ryde Cemetery, saw several buildings at the cemetery restored and many graves also improved.
Four schemes to restore buildings in the town centre were also recognised with Certificates of Merit. All the schemes were led by IW Council as part of the Ryde Townscape Heritage Initiative and were supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Restoration of Arcadia building
The first was the five-month scheme to restore the front of the Arcadia building on the Esplanade to include new shop fronts, returning the building to how it looked in the mid-19th century.
The second was the building at numbers 21-22 Cross Street in the town. It had its upper facade restored and the mouldings remodelled using historical materials and methods.
The Hose Rhodes Dickson building had a new shop front installed and a curved window put in as well as the upper floor bay window being restored to its former appearance.
The final scheme to receive a Certificate of Merit was Union Street’s historic Royal Victoria Arcade. The extensive work included the restoration of external elevations, new windows in the Union Street façade, repairs to the roof and a new internal tiled floor.
Several Isle of Wight firms were used in all the projects to restore the buildings.
Cllr George Brown, Cabinet member responsible for planning said “The Island has a rich heritage and it is important we preserve our historic buildings.
“It is very pleasing the Isle of Wight Society has recognised not only the schemes to restore buildings in Ryde to their original look, but also the major project to restore parts of Ryde Cemetery.”
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
