– Chain gang comes to the rescue

Ryde Mayor Michael Lilley led a chain gang with a difference as he joined efforts to support the town’s beach lifeguards.

Michael, joined with builder Mike Carter and local company Wight Building Materials to begin work on a new rescue jet-ski station for Ryde Beach Lifeguard’s next to Ryde Waterside Pool.

The team set about laying 13 tonnes of concrete supported by Wight Building Materials to, literally, get the project off on sound footings.

The new garage is project is due to finish by the end of March with the new jet ski in operation from its new garage in time for the main holiday season, in the months of July and August. 

Todd Miller, Beach Manager at Ryde Beach Lifeguards, said: “Our team of beach lifeguards are ready for another busy summer assisting with everything from swimmers getting into difficulty, lost children to people who sustain injuries while at the beach.

“The new jet ski will enable us to improve the service we offer and we are extremely grateful to Wight Building Materials, Mike and of course the Mayor whose support has enabled us to get this project off the ground. Without this assistance it just would not have been possible.”

Wight Building Materials general manager Steve Burton said: “We have previously provided concrete ready-mix concrete and stone for the base of the lifeguard’s new storage facility and we are really pleased to step in again and help the group expand their services further.

“They do a great job and we are proud to support them.”

Cllr Lilley said: “It is fantastic how, once again, the local community has come together to support this fabulous service.

“I was pleased to pop down to the laying of the foundations and looking forward to seeing the project completed and the safety services at Ryde beach being improved still further with the introduction of the jet ski.”

Picture shows Cllr Lilley (orange PPE) with Mike Carter, Jono Hollman (WBM trainee plant manager) and Jacob Jenner (senior lifeguard).

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