A campaign has been launched to support the regeneration of Ryde Town Hall and Theatre – and the Island’s MP has pledged his support.
Last week, Friends of Ryde Town Hall (FORTH), supported by Ryde Society, held their first event which attracted members of the public and Ryde Town Councillors.
Those attending were asked to put their ideas on notes on boards around the Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street.
The ideas, ranging from restoring the clock in the tower to live events, will be collated and passed on to Ryde Town Council, which is in the process of buying the building in a bid to bring it back from its dilapidated state to public use.
Anne-Marie Bowler, FORTH member, said she was really pleased with the support, saying there was a lot of work ahead but it was a fantastic start.
She said they had to be realistic in what they wanted to see but she would like to see the Town Hall and Theatre brought back into public use and made a really viable community asset.
FORTH, she said, will be able to rally support and bring out expertise, vision and ideas from the local community.
Anne-Marie said:
“The sky is not the limit but FORTH will be there to advocate, cheerlead and support the public use in the future.”
Attending the launch event, Mr Seely said he would like to see the building used as a live arts venue, something the town is lacking after the closure of Ryde Arena.
Commending Ryde Town Council for buying the Town Hall, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said he would bend over backwards for the authority to find funding grants, to get as much money possible as ‘Ryde needs this’.
He said:
“It is a beautiful building and Ryde is on the up. If we can get it up and running again it would be really wonderful, not just for Ryde but the rest of the Island.
“I am ready and willing to help in whatever way I can to get the grant funding to make a success of it.
“The numbers have got to add up though so it is not just a question of spending a lot of money and hoping it adds up. We have to really get our thinking caps on but fingers crossed this has got a really bright future.”
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