August 1867
Isle of Wight Observer:
Aug 3rd 1867: ROUND THE ISLAND – These favorite excursions seems to meet with more favor every year. Several trips are made each week, and on Monday last no less than 108 persons left Ryde pier for this interesting voyage, which occupied about five hours. Both Steampacket Companies seem likely to reap a good harvest from this source during the present season.
Aug 3rd 1867: FIRE BRIGADE – On Thursday evening the fire brigade had a capital practise, both with the escape and the engine. The engine threw the water over the steeple of St. Marie’s Catholic Church with the greatest ease, and the practise with the escape over some of the largest buildings in the town.
Aug 3rd 1867: VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT – The “First Hants” arrived at Ryde, on Wednesday, and passed through the town, headed by their band, to the place of encampment at Bembridge Down. On the previous day, six men from each corps arrived with the baggage and tents, so that all was ready for the main body. Surely some kind of demonstration should be made by the Isle of Wight corps to welcome their comrades from the northern division of the county of Hampshire. Officers of Ryde take the initiative!
Aug 3rd 1867: PETTY SESSIONS – Two lads named William and Henry CORNEY were brought up, and P.C. BEVERIDGE said on the previous night he found the two defendants sleeping in a loft belonging to Mr. YOUNG, of Apley Towers. Sergeant TROKE said he believed the parents were most to blame, as the boys were allowed to roam about anywhere.—The magistrate directed the police to see the parents.
Aug 10th 1867: RVC REGATTA – The cup selected by the inhabitants for the forthcoming regatta continues to excite the greatest admiration of its elegant proportions and classic beauty. We are glad to learn that Her Majesty was highly pleased with it when it was submitted to her inspection. An admirable photograph has just been taken of it by Mr. Jabez HUGHES, at whose studios the cup is on view.
Aug 17th 1867: IMPROVEMENT – The public will be glad to know that the awkward break in front of Col. HARCOURT’s marine lodge, between Ryde and Sea View, is now done away with, as the narrow wall that formed the footway is widened and improved, and the slipway to the grounds of St. Clare is built over so that a good and continuous walk exists the whole distance between the above-named places.
Aug 17th 1867: DESTRUCTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY – On Sunday night some person or persons well acquainted with the Church of St. Michael’s, Swanmore, entered through one of the vestry windows, and cut and damaged the bellows of the organ. A £10 reward has been offered for the apprehension of the offenders. We hear the police have some clue to the affair.
Aug 17th 1867: TESTIMONIAL TO A TOWNSMAN – Visitors to Ryde should not fail to inspect the beautiful drawings by Mr. and Mrs. LEWIS, who have been honored by so many commands from the Queen. Mrs. LEWIS’s pictures of the Isle of Wight are most exquisite.—John BULL.
Aug 24th 1867: VENTRILOQUISM – We beg to direct the attention of our readers to an advertisement announcing the arrival of Mr. NEWMAN, the well-known ventriloquist, who purposes giving some entertainments in the Island. He will appear in Ryde on Monday next at the Victoria-rooms.
Aug 24th 1867: RYDE REGATTA 40 YEARS AGO – Ryde had the honor of originating the Isle of Wight regattas, which have now become so renowned. Through the kindness of a friend, we have just had a sight of the programme of August 29 and 30, 1823, by which it will be seen that as long ago as that, when the town had but few inhabitants, they were able to get up a couple of days’ good amusement. An extract from the hand-bill alluded to will, no doubt, be interesting to many, and especially to some of our “old salts.”