August 1972
Isle of Wight County Press:
Aug 5th 1972: HOSPITAL CLUB FETE – The Royal I.W. County Hospital Sports and Social Club annual fete in the grounds of the Nurses’ Home on Saturday, in aid of club facilities, was opened by Miss Joan FRANCIS (Dot GREENHAIGH, late of the television serial “Coronation street”). Various departments of the hospital helped with stalls, sideshows, competitions and refreshments.
Aug 5th 1972: EXHIBITION SUCCESS – Up to Thursday evening, Mr. Walter SHARR, the Bembridge artist, had sold 32 of the 58 water colours he has had on exhibition at the gallery in the George Street public library. This compares with an average of about four paintings sold at other exhibitions in the gallery.
Aug 12th 1972: TREES – Five trees, all victims of Dutch elm disease, were cut down at Treefields old people’s home, Ryde, on Monday, in an attempt to curb the disease which has now reached epidemic proportions. The trees felled on Monday brought the total cut down on the Island since the start of the operation last year to about 100, although more than 500 have been identified as being affected by it.
Aug 19th 1972: HISTORIC DAY – Monday was a significant date for the hovercraft industry in that it marked the tenth anniversary of the introduction of hovercraft services to the Solent. To commemorate the occasion arrangements were made with the postal authorities for a consignment of mail to be carried by a Hovertravel SRN6 from Ryde to Southsea for the first time. The consignment was carried on the 12.25 flight from Quay Road, Ryde. Hovermail Collectors Club were kept busy selling coloured cards, which were hand-stamped “The anniversary of the first Solent Hovercraft Service, 14 August 72 Ryde, Isle of Wight.”
Aug 19th 1972: REAL RESCUE DURING DISPLAY – A display by Ryde Lifeguard corps on Saturday resolved itself into a rescue in earnest. While Messrs. Peter DIBBENS and John BOURN were waiting for their part in the display in the lifeguard’s fast rescue craft Seaspray, they noticed two children drifting too far out from the beach on a rubber ring. Seaspray went swiftly to the rescue and returned the children and their ring to the safety of the beach.
Aug 19th 1972: UNUSUAL ACCIDENT – The High Street was the scene of an unusual accident on Sunday, when scaffolding erected outside the former premises of Messrs. Timothy Whites, Ltd., fell as a double decker bus was passing. There were no personal injuries, but slight damage was done to the vehicle. Traffic was diverted for about an hour while the road was cleared.
Aug 19th 1972: SANDBANK DANGER – A helicopter was diverted from escort duty with the Tall Ships race, and two inshore rescue craft were launched on Wednesday after two children were seen on gravel bank to the east of the pier. When rescue services reached the spot they found the children had already made their way to safety.
Aug 26th 1972: RYDE WESTERN RELIEF ROAD – The Isle of Wight Council in conjunction with the Ryde Borough Council has arranged a public meeting at the Town Hall, Ryde, on Friday the 8th September, 1972 commencing at 6 pm to make clear the proposals for Ryde Western Relief Road, to have details explained and questions answered.
Aug 26th 1972: I.W. ART CLUB AT RYDE – The Isle of Wight Art Club’s 36th annual exhibition was opened by Mr. A. L. HUTCHINSON on Wednesday. Everyone was congratulated on the high standard of work and that the society continued to record their appreciation of the lovely Island, and was a worthwhile task for future generations. The club has a membership of some 100 artists.
Aug 26th 1972: AGRICULTURE – Mr. E. T. CLEAVER, J.P., of Newnham Farm, Binstead, a former mayor of Ryde, has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture to serve on one of the seven committees covering the whole country, which will take the place of the County Agricultural Executive Committees.