On Friday 22nd May 2009, the first 22 Street Pastors on the Isle of Wight were commissioned and sent out onto the Streets of Ryde. The Street Pastors were blessed by Caroline Baston, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight in front of a packed congregation at Ryde Methodist Church. David Ouston, Isle of Wight Street Pastors Co-ordinator; David Pugh, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council; Chief Superintendent David Thomas and Gay Edwards, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight also addressed the congregation.
Straight after the service the Street Pastors headed out onto the streets of Ryde to meet people and introduce themselves. The Street Pastors will become a regular part of Ryde’s Friday night scene from the end of June.
