August 1917
Isle of Wight Observer:
Aug 4th 1917: “THE PASSING SHOW” – This West End Company of entertainers, including several well known London artistes, will give their noted entertainment at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening at 8.15.
Aug 4th 1917: BABY SHOW – This unique show, so far as this town is concerned, fixed for Tuesday afternoon next in the Esplanade Gardens, has attracted close on 200 entries. The R.M.A. Band will be in attendance. Mrs. LEWIS is the hon. sec, and is being assisted by the Mayoress (Miss BARTON) and others.
Aug 11th 1917: HOLIDAY MAKERS DETAINED – In addition to the large number of visitors in the town there was a big influx of holiday makers on Monday. Those from the mainland who remained for the mail-boat were more than could be conveyed on the one steamer, which had to make a return journey.
Aug 11th 1917: RYDE DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION – On behalf of this excellent Association two plays will be given at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next, at 3 and 8 p.m. These will be performed by children and the young performers are spoken very highly of by those who are able to do so with authority. The full orchestra of the 4th Royal Warwickshire Regiment will be in attendance. H.R.H. Princess Beatrice and a party of friends have, we understand, taken a box for the matinee.
Aug 18th 1917: SITUATIONS – Wanted: Turnip Hoers and Pea Cutters.—NASH, Park Farm, Ryde.
Aug 18th 1917: BLIND MUSICIANS – As will be seen from our advertising columns an evening concert will be given next Friday at the Town Hall by the Blind Musicians from St. Dunstans Hostel, who made a most favourable impression on their visit last year.
Aug 18th 1917: SWIMMING COMPETITIONS – Silver Cups given by Mrs Arthur HAMILTON and Mrs Terry WOOD for swimming competitions among the boys and girls attending the public elementary schools have been won by George AYLWARD and Olive NEWMAN, both Upper School pupils.
Aug 18th 1917: “BLIGHTY” – The summer number of “Blighty” is now on the bookstalls, and is a wonderful shillings worth of pictures, stories, poems, and jokes, all the work of sailors and soldiers on active service. “Blighty” is now well known. For over a year its weekly issue of 100,000 has been sent out free to our Navy and Army. The best pictures and stories of “Punch” and other papers and magazines re-printed by the kindness of the proprietors.
Aug 25th 1917: BICYCLE ACCIDENT – On Wednesday evening as Miss BOYCE, of Arundel Road, Binstead, was cycling down Union Street she apparently lost control on nearing the bottom and dashed into the house adjoining the Pier Hotel. She was badly shaken but was able to proceed home.
Aug 25th 1917: LIFEBOAT INSPECTION – On Thursday the lifeboat crew and equipment were inspected by Captain FOOTE, R.N. The Selena was launched for a sail in a stiff breeze in charge of Coxswain Tom FORD, and the inspector before leaving expressed his satisfaction at what he had seen.
Aug 25th 1917: DOUGH-NUTS – The far-famed Isle of Wight doughnuts are “off” for the present as far as Ryde is concerned. The Binstead baker who used fat, in accordance with the time-honoured custom, to cook the dough-nuts in, found in common parlance, the fat very much in the fire later on. A sudden exodus from the town may be looked for of those non-dyspeptics who are particularly partial to this form of cake.
Aug 25th 1917: SOLDIERS’ CANTEEN – This was closed owing to the fire at Surrey Lodge, Barfield, it has been re-opened at Mount House School, George Street, kindly lent by Miss GREENUP. All soldiers are heartily welcome from 6.30 to 9.30 p.m.