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.
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August 1918

Isle of Wight Observer:

Aug 3rd 1918:  CINEMA – The programmes at this popular picture-house in the High Street, are always good and this week there is plenty to interest picture lovers, the management catering well for its patrons.  The star-picture is “The Sign of the Poppy,” featuring Hobart HENLY, a fine photo-drama of thrilling interest.  The comedy is provided in the screamer “Counting out the Count.”

Aug 3rd 1918:  LICENCE – An application for a music and dancing licence for Yelf’s Hotel, Union Street, Ryde, came before the Borough Bench on Monday.  It was stated that the hotel was owned by the Home Counties Public House Trust, and the object of the application was to enable the proprietors to give high class dance music in the lounges of the hotel—particularly during meals.

Aug 3rd 1918:  HOUSES – The “Island Star” has been making enquiries in the several Island towns with regard to the difficulty of finding suitable working class accommodation.  In reply Messrs. A. J. and W. COOMBES, of Ryde write:  There is at present a great demand to rent working class houses.  We do not anticipate the demand will be maintained, as it is largely owing to the war and munition workers.

Aug 3rd 1918:  IN THE TOWN – Princess Beatrice, accompanied by Miss Minnie COCHRANE, was in the town last week, and did some shopping.  It is quite like old times to receive an informal visit of this nature from our Royal Governor, of whom in these days we see but little.

Aug 10th 1918:  STRANGE COINCIDENCE – On Tuesday morning, there were delivered two post cards addressed to Mrs. HAPGOOD, Leslie Cottage, Daniel Street, both bearing the Ryde postmark, one a birthday card, being posted on September 19th, 1907, and the other a Christmas card, being posted nearly a year earlier, on December 24, 1906. Eleven and twelve years ago.  A pathetic element lies in the fact that the addressee to whom the good wishes were sent has been dead about ten years.

Aug 10th 1918:  DOG’S WOOL FOR SOLDIERS – Miss BLECHYNDEN appeals to dog-owners to send dog’s combings to be sterilised and spun into yarn for cardigans, socks and stockings for sick and wounded soldiers.  The wool should be perfectly clean, as long as possible, combed free of mats, with soiled pieces cut out, different varieties separated and packed loosely. Send to 77 Swanmore Road, Ryde.

Aug 10th 1918:  SHELLS AND STONES – The Country has heard the National Salvage Council’s appeal for fruit stones and nut shells, which are urgently needed for conversion into charcoal for use in the anti-gas masks.  The charcoal thus produced greatly increases our soldiers chances of coming safely through gas attacks.

Aug 17th 1918:  BUTTERFLY DAY – Saturday is being observed as Butterfly Day in the town when butterflies will be sold in aid of humane work for the wounded horses.

Aug 17th 1918:  TRAIL – The Penny Trail, organised by Miss BLOXSOME and Mr. John B. COOMBES, which is to take place in Union Street in aid of the funds of the Ryde and District Nursing Association and Creche, is an exceedingly novel way of raising money, and will arouse much interest.

Aug 17th 1918:  CHANGE OF NAME – And so after four years of war the Council has decided that it is desirable to alter the name of the street in which the Police Station is situate, from Brunswick Street into something more British.

Aug 24th 1918:  SAND COMPETITION – Organised by Mr. J. TRENT, a sand competition took place at Ryde on Wednesday.  The fine stretch of sand Ryde is now able to boast is admirable for such a purpose and the competition was in all respects a success.  There were some 50 entrants and some designs showed a great deal of skill and painstaking work.