Stories Underfoot: Swinburne in Bonchurch
Thursday 23 July | 10.30am
St Boniface Church, Bonchurch
Tickets £10, book here
Step into the past with StoneCrabs for an open air promenade performance through Bonchurch. We invite you to take a peek into the life of Algernon Charles Swinburne, Victorian England’s most controversial poet, playwright, and novelist.
Awakening in the grounds of St Boniface Church in 2026, Swinburne leads us on a winding journey of self-reflection. From the heights of East Dene, through the quiet shadows of Old St Boniface, and down to the sea that inspired his most iconic verses, Algernon shares his complex legacy. Join him as he grapples with his relationship with the church, his sexuality, and the rigid society that shaped and challenged him. Don’t just hear the history; walk it.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Check out this great review from Maureen Sullivan all about our most recent walk, Wilde in Ryde.
Isle of Wight Pride
Saturday 18 July
Ryde
StoneCrabs will be participating in Isle of Wight Pride! We will be marching in the Parade down Union Street and running our stall in the Community Village. Please let us know if you would like to join us in the Parade or help out at the stall. Email info@stonecrabs.co.uk
Off Book Drama Group for Teens
Saturdays | 10am
Quay Arts
More info here
Our Off Book drama group, supported by the National Saturday Club, continues on Saturdays at Quay Arts. This group, for 13 to 16 year olds, is a creative, inclusive space where young people can develop their skills in acting, voice work, and storytelling. Our club members can also take part in masterclasses and the Summer Show in London which happens on 11 July.
See our National Saturday Club page for more information, including how to join.
UNION zine
We have been working on our UNION zine, an exciting project funded by Historic England which is investigating Ryde’s hidden LGBTQ+ history. The zine is almost complete now, and we have some fantastic articles from the community about topics such as Oscar Wilde, Isle of Wight Pride, Phaedra Kelly, the nightlife of the 1980s and 1990s, and the clothing shop Oz. We are hoping to distribute this zine at Pride and next month, will be giving more details about our celebration event.
Until then, check out our blog page for a sneak preview of one of the articles: Ed Alcock’s research into a LGBTQ+ story in his own family heritage.
The Sorrowful And Immaculate Heart of Mary by Ed Alcock
In early 2026, StoneCrabs was contacted by award-winning photographer Ed Alcock who was researching his family history connected to Ryde, for a project. The compelling thing about researching LGBTQ+ history is that we never know where it is going to take us; there are often only ambiguous clues due to the legalities, shame or fear of being discovered or outed.
From 17 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, Ed will be taking part in the Festival Planches Contact in Deauville, Normandy, France, exhibiting his photographs.
A mystery surrounds Ed Alcock’s grandmother, Mary, who was born in 1923 into a working-class family in northeast England. As a baby, she was sent to the Isle of Wight, where she became the ward of an elderly, childless man and received a middle-class upbringing. A century later, the discovery of a strongbox disguised as a dictionary sets in motion an investigation that leads the artist from northern England to the Isle of Wight and on to the Normandy coast.
Through photographs, letters, and archival records, the lives of Florence, an English military nurse who survived the battlefields of Ypres, and her French partner, known only as “Mademoiselle,” gradually come into view. Slowly, the outlines of a long-hidden story begin to emerge: that of Mary’s childhood, raised by two women under the discreet protection of a man whose convictions were unusual for his time. Through her story unfolds a little-known history of families, identities, and freedoms in the twentieth century, and of the enduring need to make them visible.
You can see more of Ed’s work at www.edalcock.com
Communities Against Cancer
Wednesday 1 July | 10am – 3pm
Riverside Centre, Newport
StoneCrabs has been awarded a grant from Wessex Cancer Alliance for the Communities Against Cancer project and our Project Manager, Caroline Diamond, is receiving training to be a Health Champion for the LGBTQ+ community. We will be raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of early detection.
Come along to this free event from Healthwatch to hear presentations and discussions, as well as wellbeing taster sessions and other workshops. This event is for anyone affected by cancer on the Isle of Wight – patients, carers, family members, health professionals, and supporters.
LGBTQ+ book club
Saturday 27 June | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Toolshed at One Holyrood, Newport
Our regular LGBTQ+ book club meets on the last Saturday of each month. In June, we meet on Saturday 27th in the Toolshed at One Holyrood. Our monthly pick is always a book with LGBTQ+ themes and this month, we have been reading Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood.
LGBTQ+ Meet-up
Saturday 4 July | 10.30am – 12.30pm
Fitting Room at Department, Ryde
On the first Saturday of each month, we meet in the Fitting Room at Department. This is a relaxed social event, welcome to all. There is free tea and coffee available, or you can choose from the delicious selection of cakes and drinks in the cafe. It is an accessible venue, with a lift to the first floor.
News from our Friends
Biosphere and Birthday Celebration
Wednesday 1 July | 11am – 7pm
Monkton Arts, Ryde
More details here, and book tickets for the workshop here
A combined celebration of the Biosphere Festival and Monkton Arts’ birthday is happening on Wednesday 1 July. Jean G-Owen is hosting a Biosphere writing workshop, exploring the local area, then there will be an afternoon of storytelling and poetry readings. Come along to also see the ongoing exhibition of local artists, as well as a BBQ and drink deals for Monkton Arts’ birthday.
There are other events being held across the island as part of the Biosphere Festival 2026. Check out their website for more info!
Ventnor Fringe
17-26 July | Ventnor
Tickets and more info here
Ventnor Fringe returns this July! Over 130 shows are currently on sale, ranging from live music, theatre, poetry, and other performances. Many venues across Ventnor will be hosting events, and there are also free activities to get involved with. There is something for everyone so check out their website or pick up a free guide.