August 1970
Isle of Wight County Press:
Aug 1st 1970: GUIDE SPORTS – The Ryde District guide sports were held at Caversham House School on Thursday week when sprint, three-legged, relay and novelty races were held. The winners were the 5th Ryde (Holy Trinity) Company with 59 points. Mrs. K. PHILLIPS (district commissioner) presented the cup to the winners.
Aug 1st 1970: ZEBRA CROSSING – After criticism by Mr. A. C. LEWIS at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday of the new three-way pedestrian crossing and island at the top of Union Street, Alderman W. RAMAGE (chairman, Roads Committee) said that the committee had knowledge of the difficulties of visibility and height of kerbs to which he had referred and were hoping to deal with them.
Aug 1st 1970: VINTAGE TRANSPORT TOUR – An impressive cavalcade of four vintage buses and coaches conveyed members of the Wight Locomotive Society and their friends on a summer excursion around the Island. The party, which numbered almost 100 people, many of whom had travelled from London and other mainland locations, assembled at Ryde St. John’s Road Station. Here the party was shown around the British Rail workshops which maintain the 42 ex London Underground electric carriages which operate the remaining rail link between Ryde and Shanklin.
Aug 1st 1970: BOWLS TOURNAMENT – Under grey skies the mayor of Ryde (Mr. H. E. MOREY, B.E.M.) opened the 45th annual Open Bowling Tournament on Monday. The opening ceremony, during which the Mayor bowled the first wood, was dominated by references to the condition of the Esplanade greens, where the growth of weed had caused great concern to local bowlers.
Aug 8th 1970: SPORTSMAN’S CLUB – An active and successful year was reported at the annual meeting of this club on Tuesday. Mrs. J. M. HAYLES (hon. secretary) reported that the club had completed alterations to the snooker room and enlargement of the bar and lounge. £500 had been spent on the improvements.
Aug 8th 1970: GOODBYE, SCHOOL STREET – Mrs. SISON of Hull, East Yorkshire, writes; “To many people the redevelopment of School Street, Oakfield, will be just another slum clearance project, but to all who lived there, as I did, for years, it will be the passing of a way of life. True the houses were unfit in many ways but the spirit of the street was fantastic. The loyalty and feeling for each other made one feel a member of a large family, of which I am proud to have been part.” Mrs SISON lived at 40 School Street.
Aug 8th 1970: SCHOOL REVISITED – Miss E. R. CULLIN head teacher of Caversham House County Primary School writes that nearly 19 years ago the school enjoyed the company and teaching of Miss Ethne JACKSON who came on a year’s exchange from south Africa. In the last week of term she paid a surprise return visit to the school. She was on a business trip with her husband to Sweden and England and couldn’t resist the temptation to board the hovercraft and visit the friends with whom she stayed and the school.
Aug 8th 1970: ANTIQUE FURNITURE SALE – Messrs. Way, Riddett and Co. held a special sale of antique furniture and effects at Town Hall Chambers on Thursday week. Principal prices were: Georgian mahogany corner cupboard £32, pair of Victorian easy chairs in velvet £40, 18th century flint lock pistol £23, striking grandfather clock in oak case £23, rosewood china cabinet £20, boudoir grand piano, Broadwood £44.
Aug 8th 1970: DONKEY DERBY – About 700 adults and children attended a successful donkey derby organised by the I.W. Hunt Supporters Club at Partlands sports ground on Sunday. Besides the races there were also many sideshows and competitions.
Aug 22nd 1970: WALK-IN THIEF – A purse containing £9 in cash and personal papers was taken from the home of Mrs. TUCK of George Street at lunchtime on Tuesday. The same night the door of the refreshment kiosk at the Western Gardens was forced and £20 in 50p pieces taken.