Other items
In the early days, the Island was a very good place for smuggling; with its many bays and inlets, contraband could easily be brought ashore undetected.
On a Wednesday afternoon, 22nd August 1877, at Yelf’s Hotel, our townsman, Mr. W. H. Wallis, the well-known auctioneer, brought under the hammer the Eagle Brewery, and a number of public houses.
The Ponda Rosa horse with its cowboy and cart, was a masterpiece by Mr Jack Whitehead, internationally re-known master-carver.
Built in the 1860's the Partlands had a chequered history, with many changes of landlord and brewery ownership.
On the 18th April 1936, a most serious fire occurred at the Isle of Wight Times newspaper and stationary premises, 72 Union Street, Ryde.
Arthur Wellington Fowles was a British Master Painter, a well-known marine artist, of George Street, Ryde.
While the last finishing touches were being applied, 42 members of the nursing staff of the Royal I.W. County Hospital, during the week ending 20 May 1939, entered into occupation of the new King George V Memorial Nurses’ Home at Adelaide-place, Ryde.
At the beginning of 1878 the Admiralty and the Board of Trade gave their consent to the Council for constructing a canoe lake on the shore to the eastward of the Victoria Pier, something that would no doubt have given much satisfaction.