RIPLEY – WORLD FAMOUS AS THE ‘MECCA FOR ALL GOOD CYCLISTS’

 This upcoming exhibition needs to enthuse all the cyclists out there who may be surprised to know that Ripley was once the most famous place on the planet for cycling .

The exhibition is called RIPLEY – WORLD FAMOUS AS THE ‘MECCA FOR ALL GOOD CYCLISTS’. It traces the origin of the so called Ripley Road which was, in fact part of the Portsmouth Road between Ditton and Ripley. The cycling craze from 1870 -1900 which brought thousands of cyclists into Ripley and in particular to the Anchor Pub and the hospitality of the Dibble family. It features the memorials in Ripley church and the ‘spin offs’ of the craze such as the Anchor Visitor books, a Ripley board game featuring the Anchor. We are delighted that The Anchor are supporting the exhibition with a free draw for lunch for 2 in their restaurant. as the new village hall is being opened)

So please encourage your members to come along from the 8^th of June any Saturday morning  from 10-12 (the 22^nd might be worth avoiding as the new village hall is being opened)  – we can also open at other times by arrangement

Clare McCann -museum curator