Ryde Architecture
RYDE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
Not exactly an impressive looking building like the many Victorian structures around Ryde, even so, it was an important part of the development of Ryde and communication with the rest of the world.
In February 1936 a paragraph in the local press stated: A major development in the Island’s telephone system was unveiled in Ryde. The telephone system that served the Ryde area was switched to an automatic system and was seen as the forerunner of the Island network. The switching involved 769 lines and was, incredibly, completed by four men in just three minutes. In that time, the old exchange, which had been operated by hand, was stopped, and residents were now able to make calls with greater ease.
In 1973, an extension was added to the building which cost just over £1 million. At that time there were many adverse comments: It was hoped that a few pounds would be spent on landscaping the monster building and stark car park in the residential area. So far there were a few metal lamp posts, which were suggested might have suited Colditz rather than Ryde. Clearly the citizens of Ryde were not impressed.
MOMENTS MORE-PLEASING
(Not quite so happy) March 1921. Telephone – No members of the community would suffer more than farmers as they were at a good distance from the exchanges and markets. The telephone had just begun to prove an immense boon. Numbers of farmers said they would go off the telephone altogether and some gave figures to show that a trunk call, charged at 3d. before the war, would then be 10½d. an increase of more than 300 per cent.
April 1962. Post Office Award – Miss Cecily Mary Kingswell, supervisor at Ryde Telephone Exchange till her retirement on health grounds in January, was presented with the Imperial Service Medal at Ryde Head Post Office on Thursday. A cheque, subscribed for throughout the Island postal, engineering and telephone staffs, was handed to Miss Kingswell.
Dec 1967. Connected – Orders for telephone service met by the Post Office totalled 552,000 in the six months ended September. Subject to customers’ convenience and to plant being available about 66 per cent of the orders for exchange connections were being completed within a fortnight.
May 1968. Competition – A 34-year-old Ryde housewife, Mrs. Desiree Brown, was one of the three winners in the area finals of the annual G.P.O Telephone Personality Girl competition, held at Telephone House, Southsea, on Monday. She was temporary supervisor at Ryde Telephone Exchange.
Jan 1972. Ryde Telephonists – Eight years ago, when each day operator at Ryde trunk telephone exchange gave a present to a deprived child, a spirit of Christmas giving began which had grown and flourished in succeeding years. Then not only children benefitted, but the aged and lonely. For months the girls had been busy knitting bed-jackets and they had provided money through competitions and donations to provide food parcels and toys.
Jan 1972. New Exchange – Brighter prospects were offered to residents in the Ryde area awaiting the installation of telephones. Mr. J. Berry, deputising for the telephone manager, said that a new telephone exchange might be built to replace the old one, which was too small. The exchange would provide facilities for approximately 600 new lines.
SOME EARLY RYDE NUMBERS
1. Pier Hotel (L. H. Claridge) Pier Street.
2. Johncox jnr., 156 High Street, Fish & Poultry Merchants.
3. A. S Marlow, 19 Union Street, Confectioner.
4. John Dimmick, 157 High Street, Nurseryman & Florist.
5. G. H. Harrison, J.P., Thornton.
6. S. J. Bishop, 15 Union Street, Wine & Spirit Merchants.
7. W. C. Pearce, 53 Union Street, Wine & Spirit Merchants.
8. Hughes & Mullins, 60 Union Street, Photographers.
Sources: IW Times & Wight Wires (Moyra Bird)
Image: Courtesy of David Hillas
Article: Ann Barrett