PS RYDE

[MarkYoungIW]

Cant really say much to the above post, other than WOW!!

Anyway, NHS are still working hard today to try and get a stay of execution, phones have not stopped ringing with the media, as Jack has said, hopefully a last opportunity.

I do understand what you are saying Jack, and you are quite right, the PSPS have enough on their plate in some respects, and this was the reason for the PS Ryde Trust, basically a body 100% dedicated to the one vessel.  Never the less. Myra's hard work to help us has been crucial as well as Martyn Heightons, so really its an A++ for their efforts at this final hour.

With regards to the funnel Jack:-

http://www.donaldmcgill.info/Funnel%20on%20Tour.html

The funnel had indeed been purchased, but it seems that there was a lack of regard even for that.

We will keep you all posted, and in the meantime all I can say is finger tightly crossed that everybodies hard work does pay off, even though some dont seem to appriciate the effort that has gone into this, which is deeply saddening.

[Stuart Badger]

I have been following the saga of PS Ryde with interest. Let me perhaps account for the 'Lack of interest' or 'negative attitude' to the project.
First of all my own position is that ANY part of our maritime heritage is worth preserving if possible and practical.

The basic problem is that the hard core enthusiasts for this sort of effort, be it ships, planes, cars, steam locos whatever will for obvious reasons always be in the minority. Artifacts of Ryde's age unfortunately are not 'old' enough to have the rarity value of say the Mary Rose and the demographic of the population has now reached the stage where people who had direct experience of things like Paddle Steamers and Steam locos are very few. The baby boom generation were brought up on comics and stories related by those that DID have direct experience, so have a degree of affection for these things. The current generation of parents and wage earners (the ones that WOULD make a difference) have little enthusiasm generated by direct memories to take an interest.
This is perhaps best illustrated by events of the recent past such as the National Maritime Museum SCRAPPING the Reliant paddle tug and converting the hall she was in into a kiddies buttons and bells fun park with a slightly nautical theme. There are even plans afoot to decimate the Caird Library - probably the foremost maritime research facility in the country.
We also live in a world run by accountants - who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
The sad truth of the matter is that without some 'big guns' on the side of the preservationists, projects like this become increasingly difficult to achieve.
I wish the project success but I am not being negative - merely pragmatic when I say that at the moment it would appear that there is insufficient interest to get any meaningful help financially - let's hope that changes.

Stuart

[MarkYoungIW]

Hi Stuart,
  Its sad to say you are completely right!!

I neither would have had any interest in these things, until I experience the Waverley first hand, and its only through the good work of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society that I got that opportunity.  We have all seen the major works that Waverley, and come to that any vessel have to undergo in their lifetimes to stay in operation, which is why the people that understand the true value of these things work so hard, in much the same way as the PSPS have worked with Waverley......To bring something that once was, and still is a very powerful reminder of the greatness of our country.

Thanks for your support, and that of rjenkins and I am sure the majority of people.

Things are taking time, but it looks like the possibility of a little more time is on its way.

[MarkYoungIW]

Sorry for all the hush, and at the moment I cant bring you much more than that unfortuantely.

As things are at the moment, we are still negotiating (with the aid of other bodies) to purchase Ryde.

Even after our recent visit with a number of experts:-

http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/news.php/83/visit-to-paddle-steamer-ryde

It is still deemed that Ryde should be restored.  There is a good amount of material that should not be lost, so we are working hard to try and do something.

At the moment the problem is still as ever, ownership.  Without this, little can be done.

The amount of support has been phenomenal, with over 3000 signatures on the government petition, an number of Facebook groups:-

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37751275797
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=299770656788
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=286520707370
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16614377937

And no doubt more!!

The press have been fantastic, newspapers all over the country, and the BBC have also been great.

It is hoped we will find a way of getting out of the deadlock with our negotiations, so that we can then get on and work with the true experts to see Ryde saved.

As Len has pointed out so many times on this thread.  The framework of Ryde is amazingly thick, and alot of it still in good condition, so although it is a massive task, I am sure I dont have to point much futher than Waverleys rebuild.

Flick through some of the photos at:-

http://www.psps.freeserve.co.uk/rebuild/diary.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~Paddlers/PSWaverley/completion/diary/index.htm

Hopefully these will give you a taster of what work keeps a ship like this running.

Thanks again for all of the support.

[Channel]

A few good aerial shots of PS Ryde can be seen here - http://marinas.com/view/marina/7432_Island_Harbour_Marina_Newport%2C_Isle_of_Wight_GB

[monarch]

Received yesterday from a County Councillor...

Dear X,

Just to let you know that the removal of the Ryde Queen was agreed as part of a planning application that was approved last night. So hopefully they will get on with it quickly."

[MarkYoungIW]

As an estate agent for more than 10 years I have dealt with many awkward parties, but the whole issue surrounding Ryde has never made much sense to me.

You offer money, it gets ignored.
You offer a solution, it gets ignored.
You offer a route to save a important part of our history, it gets ignored.
You wish to destroy one of the very few paddle steamers we have in the UK, and councils and administrators want to go ahead with it.

I got involved with Ryde, when she was still floating, and even then, there were people who wished to see her scrapped.

To be fair look at Lincoln Castle at the moment?  I just dont understand the logic, and before the word 'money' is used, thats not the logic at all, during the time I have been involved in Ryde, there have been opportunities, and yet the owners every time have not been interested.

As for the County Councillor's comment of:-

so hopefully they will get on with it quickly

It just goes to show they are not working for us, as obviously they havent weighed the petition up in this, or contacted the Trust who have been working for a solution.  Having lived on the Isle of Wight all my life, and dealt with a number of people in Councils and still have my ear to the ground, there has and will always be an amount of corruption, which generally involves money or who your drinking friends are, and obviously even who has sordid secrets with who!

Once again, many thanks Isle of Wight Council for you total lack of support.  Lets see how many more possible attractions you can remove from the Island, after all its only tourism that keeps us going in recent times.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Matt.  Its a shame the Council couldnt see far enough to do the same!

[lenknight]

Well said Mark, I could not add more to this forthright statement, with out being told I was going over the top, albeit the absolute truth.
I just feel sad that it seems, 'Islanders' have stood by and watch their 'Paddler' slowly deteriorate, more so some  even give the impression were prepared to 'Put another nail in her coffin'  professing sorrow, but showing little positive action to even help to show their support.
My commiserations to the Trust, and those that have supported the Ryde Trust, but have been let down by their so called sea faring nation, that, but talk in most cases about our Maritime Heritage as ever

[MarkYoungIW]

@monarch
Please could you assist in letting me know which planning permission this is, as I cannot get any sense from the local planning office.

I feel I am being left in the dark a bit here.

Thanks

Mark