By Isle of Wight Observer
Ryde’s smallest art gallery – a classic Kiosk No 6 red phone box on Lind Street – is marking its second anniversary this month, with an installation which celebrates the Museum of Ryde.
Local Naomi Baisley, while studying for her MA in Graphic Design, became intrigued by the ‘Rydeosaurs’ which are held in the Museum of Ryde’s collection.
Forty of these cast-iron mythical creatures were installed in Ryde pier shelters during a Victorian upgrade. When they were temporarily removed during a later restoration, only 38 made it back to the pier. The Museum of Ryde has since acquired the two ‘lost’ Rydeosaurs for its collection.
Naomi said: “The underground Museum of Ryde holds many secrets and stories about our town. The history of the Rydeosaurs, the guardians of the pier, is one such story that has been a delight to discover and re-tell.”
Brian Harris, chairman of the Historic Ryde Society, which runs the Museum of Ryde, is delighted with the installation of Naomi’s Rydeosaur-inspired artwork. He said: “The Rydeosaurs have been immortalised in both the Mayor of Ryde’s regalia and in the logo for the Historic Ryde Society, so to see them now larger than life in this iconic phone box is wonderful.”
The Museum holds a remarkable collection of Ryde-related treasures that includes maps, prints, newspapers, photographs and countless historic objects. The team is working hard to keep this valuable resource open to the public. If you’d like to help with fund raising or volunteering you can contact them at admin@historicrydesociety.com or find them on-line. The Museum is running a special offer of £1 off entry to the Museum, if visitors can tell them how many Rydeosaurs are featured in the current Re:Box installation (normal entry is £5).