July 2007

The largest mixed arts event to take place on the Isle of Wight burst into town in spectacular fashion at the beginning of July. Ryde Arts Festival boasted a week-long infusion of local artists, musicians and performers amidst featured events staged at various locations throughout the town.

For the seventh consecutive year, the highly extravagant annual Arts Parade took responsibility for coaxing the whole town out onto the streets and getting everyone into the festival spirit. Almost every young person in Ryde contributed in some way to the parade which based upon the theme of "Great Artists and Masterpieces."

Although blue skies were in very short supply this summer, the return of the annual Meridian Sandcastle Competition to our shores presented families with a fantastic opportunity to finally step foot onto the golden sands and to enjoy everything our Island beaches have to offer. Held on the glorious stretch of sand surrounding Appley Tower in Ryde, the competition was hosted by the "nicest man in television" Fred Dinenage, from Meridian Tonight. Youngsters under the age of 12 combined energetic enthusiasm with inventive ideas to impress the judges from our local TV station.