Tide Nor Time Players CIC is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £9,900 through the Past Futures programme to research, preserve and celebrate the rich entertainment heritage of the Isle of Wight's historic pleasure piers.
The project will explore the fascinating story of the pleasure piers at Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor, uncovering how these iconic landmarks became centres of entertainment for generations of Islanders and visitors alike.
From music hall performers, variety acts and casinos to summer shows and seaside spectacles, the Island's piers once played a vital role in the cultural life of the Isle of Wight.
Tide Nor Time Players will work alongside local historians, museums and community partners to uncover these stories and preserve them for future generations. The research will form the basis of a public exhibition and a series of performances that will bring the sights, sounds and characters of this lost era back to life.
Paul A. T. Wilson, Director of Tide Nor Time Players CIC, said:
The Isle of Wight's pleasure piers were once among the most exciting entertainment venues in the country. They welcomed famous performers, hosted thousands of visitors and helped define the Island's reputation as a holiday destination.
This project gives us the opportunity to explore a remarkable chapter of our heritage and share it with modern audiences.
We are incredibly grateful to Creative Island, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting and helping us bring these forgotten stories back into the spotlight.
The project will be based at The Bull Ring Theatre at Brading New Town Hall, where research findings will be shared with the public through exhibitions, talks and live performances inspired by the Island's historic entertainment traditions.
As part of the project, Tide Nor Time Players would also like to hear from anyone who may have photographs, postcards, programmes, memorabilia or family memories connected to the pleasure piers of Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin or Ventnor. These contributions could help reveal new stories and provide valuable insight into a largely forgotten part of Island life.
This project is part of Past Futures, a project led by Creative Island and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
