Ryde Rotary Club Party On The Green 2015

ROTARY CLUB OF RYDE

Party on the Green 2015 – Saturday 25 July

Following last year’s very successful inaugural event, the Rotary Club of Ryde organised Party on the Green 2015 and is pleased to have once again had the support of Ryde Town Council in promoting this family fun weekend that appealed to both locals and holidaymakers. The event at Eastern Gardens, Ryde which was free to enter was due to take place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July from 1.00 pm to 6.00 pm but due to forecast bad weather on the Sunday was hastily re-arranged to a one day event on the Saturday starting at 12.00 pm and finishing at 7.30 pm.

The centrepiece was again the magnificent tea tent with a selection of fantastic home baked cakes and homemade sandwiches donated by Ryde Rotarians and their partners. Unfortunately the ‘Great Ryde Cake Off’ cake baking competition, due to take place on Sunday at 3.00 pm, was one of the casualties of the bad weather.

The day got off to an energetic start thanks to our old friend Steve Hull, Stevo the Magician, who amazed the children, and adults, with his very interactive show. Steve also performed later in the day with a magic and music set.

We then kept up the momentum with the brilliant Bloodstone Border Morris Dancers with their unique brand of morris dancing. They were very gentle with the Ryde Rotarians who were coerced into joining them for their final dance.

All afternoon the crowds gathered around the magnificent classic car display provided by the Isle of Wight Austin Club and the static owl and falcon display of Haven Falconry who also provided a very impressive flying display. A new addition to this year’s programme was a dog show organised by Sandra Ferguson and it was so popular that we will have to look at running a similar show next year.

The acts continued to match the excellent sunny weather with Ryde Extreme Sports circus skills workshop, the island Ukulele Band and Ryde Military College’s interactive team building exercises. The programme was closed by the Baileys Irish Dancers who, in spite of performing earlier in the day, joined us at very short notice having originally been booked for the Sunday. They performed a traditional and free dance set and ensured that the crowds stayed until the end.

Other attractions throughout the afternoon were Fantazzy Facepainting (Steph & Zoe) making the children look wonderful, a dice game to win a fantastic smart TV and a raffle with great prizes that turned into a bric-a-brac sale in the late afternoon.

Although the event was cut short by the weather, and we were unable to see the fantastic Vox Pop choir perform again this year, all those who attended had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening. With the generous volunteering of Ryde Rotarians, partners and friends we have again raised vital funds, all of which will be distributed to local charities and good causes.

Mike Jukes

Head of Fundraising

Rotary Club of Ryde