April 1973
Isle of Wight County Press:
Apr 7th 1973: GALE DAMAGE – Scaffolding, timber and masonry showered on to a house in Circular Road, Ryde, on Monday when gale force winds “gutted” an adjoining building which was in the course of erection. Mr. R. WOODFORD said that the avalanche hit his home, Sunnyside, at 8.30 a.m., smashing his garden shed and burying a passageway at the side of the house waist-deep in breeze blocks.
Apr 7th 1973: THEFTS FROM CARS – The police on Monday again issued a warning to motorists who leave valuables in their vehicles and doors unlocked. This followed two thefts from cars in the town. A transistor radio was taken from one vehicle and clothing stolen from a car in Union Street.
Apr 7th 1973: MOTHERING SUNDAY – The Rev. P. K. PARSONS, minister, conducted a family service for a large congregation on Sunday morning at Garfield Road Methodist Church. There were two baptisms and the service included items by girls of the junior choir and other Sunday School children.
Apr 7th 1973: BINSTEAD COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL – A youth fair organised by the Parents’ and Teachers’ Association at the school on Thursday week raised £104 for school funds. Part of the proceeds will be allocated to completing a fourth wall for the teaching swimming pool, which was opened last year.
Apr 14th 1973: VIEW ON RAILINGS – Improvements to the bus terminal at Ryde Pier were described as “looking like a cattle market” at Tuesday’s meeting of the County Roads Committee. They were referring to the erection of railings in front of the pier and railway station. The railings looked too austere, and gave a poor impression to visitors.
Apr 14th 1973: TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD – There were 252 at the annual dinner at the Ponda Rosa, Ashey, representing one quarter of the total membership of 1115 on the Island. Guest of honour was Mrs. Mark WOODNUTT, who received a bouquet. A cabaret entitled “Parade of the Stars” was presented by 30 members of Shanklin Evening Guild.
Apr 14th 1973: BUILDING – New blocks of flats have risen on the site of former almshouses in Newport Street, Ryde. The re-development has been carried out jointly by Ryde Borough Council and the Wilder Charity Trust. The flats are being made available for the elderly of the town and are to be officially opened on Thursday.
Apr 14th 1973: MEMORIAL CLOCK – A clock given by St. James’s Church Women’s Guild in memory of Mrs. GREEN, wife of the Rev. E. E. M. GREEN, incumbent, has been placed in the lower room of the Church Hall. Mrs. GREEN led the guild meetings for many years.
Apr 21st 1973: MOOSE PARTY – A party for members of the Island branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society was organised by the Coronation (Ryde) Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose on Friday. Entertainment was provided by comedian Eric LOVER, of Brighstone, and tenor Ivan CAREY. Mrs. Dolly BURNS was organ accompanist for community singing. Mr. A. J. M. GALE, chairman, expressed thanks on behalf of M.S.S. members. He announced that a coffee morning held that day by members of St. John’s Church, had raised £13.18 for branch funds.
Apr 28th 1973: HOTEL FIRE – Seventeen guests were led to safety and one was rescued from an upstairs window by firemen using a ladder when fire swept through part of the Royal Squadron Hotel, Union Street, Ryde, during the early hours of Saturday morning. The blaze is believed to have broken out in a bedroom on the second floor, which was gutted. Some 40 firemen fought the blaze, using two appliances from Ryde, and three from Newport.
Apr 28th 1973: FORGED NOTES – Forged bank notes have turned up in Ryde during recent months, and the C.I.D. have issued a warning. Said an officer, “These notes have been turned out by high-class lithograph printing, and shopkeepers especially should be on their guard.”