Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
  • MENU

April 1963

Isle of Wight Times:-

Apr 11th 1963: HOUSE NAMES – “I know its all the vogue to give your house a name instead of a number,” Ryde’s Head Postmaster was referring to a growing problem, which was giving a headache to the poor old postmen. It meant traipsing the full length of the street to find a name and then discovering it is at the other end. Quite a number of people altered the house name without telling the Post Office. A list of roads where most difficulty was experienced had been sent to Ryde Corporation.

Apr 11th 1963: SEA FRONT FIRE – At 3.25 a.m. some boys fishing on the pier saw flames rising from the shed on the Western Esplanade, owned by Mr. George BIGGS, a longshoreman and boat operator. Despite a quick turnout by firemen, the hut and its contents were completely destroyed. Items lost were oars, seats for the pedalos, deck chairs and other goods, valued at £80.

Apr 11th 1963: TAXI FARES – Taxi fares at Ryde are going up, the Borough Council approved a recommendation that the new rates are: two shillings per mile, with a minimum fare for any journey of 3s; waiting period charges, 1s. per five minutes completed.

Apr 11th 1963: PILFERING – Police have solved the mystery of sticks of rock (always pear flavoured) disappearing with disconcerting regularity at a seafront shop. P.C. COOK watched and saw a large white shaggy dog saunter up to the open-fronted display stand at Dinelli’s, then when the owners back was turned, deftly removed yet another stick of rock and nip niftily across the road.

Apr 11th 1963: TENPIN ENQUIRIES – The corporation are having difficult in finding a site for a tenpin bowling alley to lay at the disposal of an interested firm. Efforts would continue.

Apr 11th 1963: BOY SCOUTS – This year’s Bob-a-Job Week will take place immediately after Easter from Monday, April 15th. A genuine Scout or Cub will either be in uniform or be wearing his buttonhole badge, and he will carry an official Job Card on which the householder should enter the nature of the work done and the payment made.

Apr 11th 1963: SPANNERS AND SPLINTS – Five railway workers have reached the top nine teams in the Southern Region British Railways’ annual first aid competition. Those representing Ryde are Ron TEWKESBURY (electrician), Albert BROOM (plumber), George MEARS (carpenter), Roy WAY (signalman), Peter MALONE (fitter). All are from St. John’s Station works.

Apr 18th 1963: OVERCROWDED FERRIES – British Railways Assistant Divisional Shipping Manager strongly denied this week, allegations of overcrowding on Portsmouth-Ryde ferries made in a letter to the Daily Telegraph. Major STEWART of Seaview said that at holiday times these craft are so overcrowded that the conditions of travel are hideously uncomfortable.

Apr 18th 1963: CYCLE RACING – Some of the country’s top riders, including six area champions took part in the Vectis Cycling Club’s three-day, 268-mile Easter race. Riders competed in three stages on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, starting on each occasion near the Esplanade Pavilion.

Apr 18th 1963: SPECTACLES – Railway officials searched the tunnel on the Ryde-Sandown line after a schoolboy, Roger ELBOURNE, of Broadway Crescent, Binstead, lost his spectacles through a window of a train. Mr. J. PRIMMER, of Ryde Station, found the spectacles unbroken, and the boy was able to leave for a holiday in France the next day—bespectacled.