SOUTHEAST WIGHT AND September 2021 HISTORY RYDE Festival TOWN HALL FEVER ISLAND STORY RECIPES A RATHER HONEY GRIDDLED PRAWNS BEWILDERING SPICED LOUKOUMADES SPECTACLE Pay what you see, leave at any time* • Rolling 30 day contract • 30 days’ notice to cancel Rated 4.8 / 5 ‘Excellent’ • No exit fee Annual price increases in April each year apply. Reconnection fee applies if leaving and re-joining within 12 months. Simple as that. See WightFibre.com/FussFree for details. Order online at wihtfibre.com A Dierent Kind of Broadband Full-fibre • Ultrafast • Future-proof or call 01983 240240 GreenMeadows BRAND NEW EXTRA CARE DEVELOPMENT Independent Island Living COLWELL ROAD WEST WIGHT OVER 55, BRAND NEW EXTRA CARE SHARED OWNERSHIP APARTMENTS SHOW APARTMENT NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW All residents can be supported by the Wellbeing Team who are there to help everyone feel settled, supported and safe; this unique Wellbeing service can respond to your needs 24hrs a day on an unplanned care basis, enabling you to live independently in your own home. To feel part of a community, there is access to activities every day such as: • Minibus outings • Communal lounge • Scheme shop • Laundry room • Hairdressers • Fitness room • Activities & Lunch Club • Dining room • Reception desk 7 days a week All apartments are built and equipped with emergency pull cord which connects you to 24 hours a day sta on site who can respond in a serious emergency for your peace of mind. In Partnership with For more information regarding shared ownership, or to speak with someone regarding renting, please call 0808 1699788 or email [email protected] Welcome from the EDITOR Who else is crossing their fingers for an Indian summer? I know I am. Despite a lot of rain in recent weeks, I hope you’ve been able to have a great time out and about on our lovely little Island. Or even at home and out in the garden. Speaking of the garden – now’s the perfect time to start picking autumn berries and harvesting the last of your fruits and vegetables. Keep an eye on our website for loads of tips for gardening throughout the year – iwbeacon.com. You’ll find even more gardening tips and lots of other great features in this edition of Beacon Magazine, including fascinating Isle of Wight history, another local walk and some seriously tasty recipes (we know these are so popular with readers). How about some honey-griddled prawns, or perhaps enjoy a little taste of Greece with our recipe for spiced Loukoumades. Perfect for an evening barbecue during that Indian summer we’re hoping for! Amy Shephard Editor [email protected] 18 5 5 History: Ryde Town Hall 7 Recipe: Honey Griddled Prawns 8 Win a Holiday to Barbados 9 Recipe: Spiced Loukoumades 31 11 Walking the Island: Walk the Wight Flat Walk 13 John Hannam meets Cathy Tyson 18-19 A Rather Bewildering Spectacle 20-27 News from your area 31-33 Gardens: Shady Ladies 34 Puzzle Page 35 Spot the Difference Competition IW Beacon Media Centre, 8-10 Dodnor Park, Newport, PO30 5XE CALL US FACEBOOK TWITTER 01983 433112 iwbeacon @iwbeaconmag VISIT US INSTAGR AM EMAIL iwbeacon.com @beaconiow [email protected] September 2021 | BEACON MAGAZINE 3 THERE’S STILL TIME TO APPLY! SCHOOL-LEAVERS New horizons New beginnings TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT If you’re not sure what to do NEXT, that’s ok. Our wide range of term-time AT HTP APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE We’LL HELP YOU courses includes: discover and build your career – It’s what we do. • Health & Social Care • Hospitality & Tourism Not everyone knows what they want to do next in life – we get that. • Sport, Leisure & Outdoor Pursuits Our exible one-year courses can give you the opportunity to learn more about • Creative Conservation the direction you want to take. You can clear your head and get a fresh start with • Professional Cookery a range of engaging programmes, gaining real qualications to help you choose • Business Administration and prepare for your next career adventure. • Childcare & Education CAN’T HTP is a very dierent education provider. With our smaller group sizes and more DECIDE? • Horse Care & Riding Try our personalised tuition, you’ll gain exciting new skills and start to plan your next ‘SUBJECT • Nail Technology TASTERS’ move – whether it’s continuing with Further or Higher Education, or into a job with an Apprenticeship. And what’s more, our super-friendly team at Riverbank Campus in Newport will support you every step of the way. Apply now. Get on-board with HTP. Talk to us today and we’ll help you expand your horizons. I t ’s not too late! No tuition fees • One-year programmes • Flexible modules • Excellent student support Visit htp.ac.uk • or call 01983 533926 4 BEACON MAGAZINE | September 2021 3848 IW Beacon ad Sept 2021(1).indd 1 25/08/2021 13:08 HISTORY THERE’S STILL TIME The History of TO APPLY! RYDE TOWN HALL Opening primarily as a market hall in 1831, Ryde Town Hall has a rich history of holding extravagant balls, concerts, royal visits — and was also home to Ryde Borough Council. he Grade II listed building was designed in a neoclassical style by James Sanderson of London — and built in coursed stone in T1830. The design featured an impressive tetrastyle portico leading to the entrance and Doric order columns. Iron railings at the front of the building were emblazoned with the town's coat of arms. The clock tower wasn't added until 1869, when the area became a muncipal borough following a significant growth SCHOOL-LEAVERS in Ryde's population. An additional storey was also added to the east wing, designed by local architect, Francis Newman. In the late 19th century — and in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee — an organ was installed in the main hall at the cost of £1,000. New horizons On June 6th 1933, a fire ripped through the building causing the roof to collapse. Several fireman from Ryde suffered from heat exhaustion and partial asphyxiation after battling the flames. The building was subsequently New beginnings restored and returned to use as Ryde In the late 19th century — and in to do by July of this year. Borough Council's headquarters. celebration of Queen Victoria's Following heated discussions, the Work to convert the first floor into town council voted in favour of taking TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT a theatre, complete with balcony and Diamond Jubilee — an organ on the run-down building in July. While If you’re not sure what to do NEXT, that’s ok. Proscenium arch took place in 1991 was installed in the main hall at its future is still uncertain, it is hoped Our wide range of term-time and the building was used as such the cost of £1,000. one day Ryde Town Hall will return to until its closure in 2005. In the years its position within the community. AT HTP APPRENTICESHIP COLLEGE We’LL HELP YOU courses includes: that followed, Ryde Town Hall hosted Councillor Phil Jordan said: “As • Health & Social Care bands such as The Stranglers (in 2009). Ryde Town Council took on a three we have seen in this town, private discover and build your career – It’s what we do. Although its time as a music venue was year lease on the building in 2020, with ownership does not work: these • Hospitality & Tourism short lived, as the venue closed completely plans to raise funds to restore it — despite buildings fall into disrepair. The only Not everyone knows what they want to do next in life – we get that. • Sport, Leisure & Outdoor Pursuits in April 2010 and sold to a developer estimated repair costs totalling more than future for a building of this nature is to three years later. £2.4million. bring it back into community use, with Our exible one-year courses can give you the opportunity to learn more about • Creative Conservation Since the sale, the development failed The town council began discussions either public or community ownership. the direction you want to take. You can clear your head and get a fresh start with • Professional Cookery to progress and Ryde Town Hall fell foul with the new owners but was issued with If we do not buy the building, its future to vandalism. an ultimatum to decide what they wanted is not very good.” a range of engaging programmes, gaining real qualications to help you choose • Business Administration and prepare for your next career adventure. • Childcare & Education CAN’T HTP is a very dierent education provider. With our smaller group sizes and more DECIDE? • Horse Care & Riding Try our personalised tuition, you’ll gain exciting new skills and start to plan your next ‘SUBJECT • Nail Technology TASTERS’ move – whether it’s continuing with Further or Higher Education, or into a job with an Apprenticeship. And what’s more, our super-friendly team at Riverbank Campus in Newport will support you every step of the way. Apply now. Get on-board with HTP. Talk to us today and we’ll help you expand your horizons. I t ’s not too late! No tuition fees • One-year programmes • Flexible modules • Excellent student support In 1906, The King of Spain, Alfonso X visited Ryde. Visit htp.ac.uk • or call 01983 533926 Here he's arriving at Ryde Town Hall by carriage. September 2021 | BEACON MAGAZINE 5 3848 IW Beacon ad Sept 2021(1).indd 1 25/08/2021 13:08 6 BEACON MAGAZINE | September 2021 RECIPE Honey Griddled PRAWNS SERVES 4 This is a dish to impress your guests.