Ryde Theatre and Town Hall

The foundation stone for the building was laid by the physician, Dr John Lind, on 14 May 1830. It was designed by James Sanderson of London in the neoclassical style, built in coursed stone and opened as the local market hall in 1831. Internally, the principal rooms included the council chamber, committee rooms and a public hall on the first floor, with a magistrates' court and various offices below. In 1867 a three-stage clock tower was erected on top of the central block of the building; designed by Thomas Dashwood, it was topped with a cupola, a dome and a weather vane. was given by Miss Player, the lady of the manor; it sounded the Westminster Quarters on a set of hemispherical bells in…