Well what a year 2020 has been for us all, let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and my hope for everyone is a happy new year
The sense of community has just been wonderful this year, 2020 has been difficult nationwide however I am so impressed and proud how in the wake of lockdown the community really bonded and excelled at looking out for each other by keeping each other’s sprit up, we came together for a common purpose.
The Respect Ryde project “Love Where You Live” have been out at least four times a week during the summer season, tidying our beaches and green spaces, this also includes getting involved in street cleans by getting more residents involved in their own neighbourhoods. Volunteer gardeners who came together to get the planting finished, due to wanting to make sure our town looked superb for everyone. Residents' gardens have looked glorious, showing we do have people who really would enjoy and like to carry on making our streets look bright, striking and vibrant.
This year will be memorable for various reasons but none more so than 2020 for a year when it really was clear that we do “love where we live” a common purpose of making our town clean, tidy and looking colourful.
We really have had a magnificent display of Ryde residents and volunteers who have gone way beyond anything I have experienced before to show, how proud we are of our town on the beach, Ryde.
For all the reasons I have mentioned above Ryde won a special recognition award from South and South East in Bloom Award, congratulations everyone. I hope that 2021 will see the same community spirit and I look forward to being part of that spirit too.
I was able with the help and support of Monkton Arts to exhibit some of the wonderful art and crafts created by Ryde’s young residents during lockdown one, I thought you may like to see some photos! It was so wonderful and inspirational to see how much talent we have in our young residents.
Please can we all remember the damage our litter causes when left, during November a swan was found with a plastic bag around its neck. We need to really look after our Environment and wildlife. Please keep an eye on the Respect Ryde Project's Facebook page for socially distanced litter picks and please when feeding the ducks don’t leave the bags behind as the pay end up in the boating lake.
Please shop local to support our town as much as you can, we need to look after our community and get through 'til spring. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who signed the petition I started a few years ago to keep an hour's free parking in Union Street. I feel this has been a real benefit to our community, especially with parking charges going up Island wide.
Ryde Town Council have bought Vectis Hall, St Thomas Church with the Harbour being taken on in April these acquisitions and the hope of taking on the town hall on in the near future, we have exciting times ahead for the regeneration of Ryde. As the chair of Facilities and Assets these buildings will come under this committee so we will be able to have an overview of these assets making sure that we have sustainable futures for these much-loved local assets. This will enable a grant funding to be looked at and partnership working with community group and others. I am committed to ensuring transparency, best value for money for services and contracts on all Ryde services and assets.
Let us make Ryde shine by making sure everyone can see your Christmas tree from your window and give everyone some Christmas cheer. Please remember to keep an eye out for neighbours that may be struggling, if the need some support please do let me know.
Please contact me on 07506930109 if you need me. Be safe and Happy New Year.
