06/07/2008 by admin.

It will take a week or so for all the photographs (all 700 plus of them!!) to be sorted through of this years Arts Festival Parade. So what I have decided to do was give you a little taster of the colour and spectacle of this years parade.

I must say that the theme “Weird Science” was covered from such a variety of different angles that this has got to be the best parade yet. I hope that you will all agree. It was a bit windy so some of the costume weren’t in their full splendor, but that didn’t detract from the end result. The Junkanoo were placed nearer the end of the parade although originally they were meant to front it, but sometimes it’s best to keep the “Best till Last” and this was certainly the case, they were LOUD!! and highly colourful with the crowds cheering them on. Even the High Commissioner of the Bahamas joined in! He played the Cow Bells during the parade, wouldn’t it be nice if our councillors on the Island let their hair down occasionally, well certainly the Leader of the Council Arthur Taylor was game and he happily joined in with the Junkanoo when they performed to the crowd at the Western Gardens after the parade had ended, they received rapturous applause from the crowd who were treated to a second performance.

I hope that you will all enjoy this tiny taster of photographs.

Jo Treagus Heading the parade with RAW Samba

Nettlestone Primary School

Greenmount Primary School

Ryde House Carnival Group

Downside School

Arch Bishop King Middle School

Chris Harris from Masquerydes’ Stilt walking troupe

Bishop Lovett School

Ryde High School

Junkanoo Drummer

Junkanoo Uphonium player

Junkanoo Cow Bell player

The High Commissioner of the Bahamas with Arthur Taylor the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Junkanoo artists Angelique and Barabbas

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05/07/2008 by admin.

Don’t forget to come and support the Arts Festival Parade in Ryde today.

It starts at 1.15pm from Park Road, continues along Star Street, turning in to the High Street the continuing down Union Street and finishes by LA Bowl at the Western Gardens.
Don’t miss the spectacular “JUNKANOO” from the Bahamas who start their UK tour here today in Ryde. What ever the weather has in store for us this should be one of the best Arts Festival Parades Ryde has seen since it began all those years ago.

Once the parade has finished don’t forget that you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening down at the Western Gardens watching the bands and seeing a live performance of the Junkanoo Troupe playing traditional music from the Bahamas at 4.00pm. To top off the evening there will be a spectacular fireworks display.

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05/07/2008 by admin.

Despite the weather not being that clement, a group of hardy Islanders came to watch the bands doing their gigs down at the Western gardens in Ryde. The Music was brilliant and although we kept being hit by rain showers during the evening it didn’t stop us from having a dance and enjoying some of our local bands. The highlight of the evening had to be the Maxwell Brothers who ran through a variety of popular Rock anthems. They left the best till last, playing a Hendrix set, with their lead guitarist putting on a wonderful display of his incredible talent!
Here a a few photos of the evening:-

Cathy and Paul Jiving in the Rain

Rain doesn’t stop the fun!

Risky Business

Risky Business

The Maxwell Brothers

Drumming Heaven

The Lead Guitarists

Watching a master do his thing

Probably the Best Guitarist on the Island!

That “Hendrix” Moment!

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05/07/2008 by admin.

The Arts Festival started today it’s 6th year. The town will be looking forward to all things art related.

Tomorrow - Saturday 5th July is the first Carnival of the season on the Island. The Arts Festival Parade starts at 1.15pm and ends about 3.00pm it will be a feast of colour, fun, comedy and wonderful costumes. The highlight of the parade is going to be the JUNKANOO - they are a visiting Carnival troupe from the Bahamas, they will be rushing around the route in their wonderful costumes and playing their own style of carnival music, the like of which the Island has never seen, please turn out and support our visitors with a wonderful Island welcome.

Also running in conjunction with the festival this weekend (Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th) is the Ryde Regatta, supported by the Ryde Town Council and Ryde Rotary, the Regatta is billed has the “LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL ON THE ISLAND” there is a fantastic mix of local and visiting bands from the mainland.

The Regatta kicks off with a spectacular set by local musicians on Friday. This is the first time the Regatta has had a Friday Evening Slot.

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05/07/2008 by admin.

Although the future of the carnival is still in the balance, members of the Ryde Carnival Association have been working very hard behind the scenes to raise funds towards future carnivals.  From Games Nights to selling advertising space in our programme we are raising awareness in the Ryde community that if things don’t get better the carnival will disappear into oblivion.

Our chairperson Mel Payn ran a games night at her house which raised £85.00. 

The 60s and 70s Nostalgia Night on the 31st May was a big hit with the local community, we raised £390. We would like to thank our sponsors for the evening The Ryde Castle Hotel, who hosted the event.

After another successful sponsored “Bag Pack” at Ryde Somerfield’s on 28th June raised £500 for the Ryde Carnival Association funds. Five members of the committee worked very hard again from 10.00am that morning until 4.00pm packing shoppers bags for them, we would like to thank everyone who donated money for the work carried out.

Our publicity officer Claire Kay has been able to secure 17 adverts from local companies in Ryde and beyond. These businesses have enabled us to cover the full production costs of this years’ Programme without using money from our budget for this year. By purchasing these adverts these local companies are showing their support for this wonderful event. The Ryde Carnival Association in support for these businesses have added their businesses to our route map and are giving them 12 months Free advertising on the website, this is the Associations way of thanking these businesses for their continued support.

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