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 1975

Isle of Wight County Press:

Aug 2nd 1975:  RETIREMENT – Miss Gwendoline Mary BARLOW, senior mistress at Bishop Lovett Middle School, Ryde, retired last week after a teaching career extending over 40 years, the last 21 at Bishop Lovett. Miss BARLOW is keenly interested in drama and the arts.  She is extremely popular at Bishop Lovett School, and has already received many letters from former pupils on the occasion of her retirement.

Aug 2nd 1975:  ANOTHER VETERAN RESCUED – Only a few weeks after taking over an old railway carriage body which had served as a hen house, the Wight Locomotive Society have secured another vehicle of even greater historic significance for their collection at Haven Street station. Isle of Wight Rly No. 38, a “high roof” composite carriage dating from 1882, has spent many years as part of a bungalow at Hayling Island, and would have been demolished by now had it not been discovered by enthusiasts.

Aug 2nd 1975:  CUTS THE COST OF HEATING – A Seaview man claims he has found an answer to rising fuel bills with a £200 do-it-yourself solar energy system.  Mr. Cyril POUNTNEY, of Seacrest, Seagrove Farm Road, started building his system about three months ago and has just completed it.  The heat receiving part of the system consists of four solar panels, is about 22ft long overall.  Mr. POUNTNEY is so pleased with his do-it-yourself system that he plans to hold an “open-day” at his house so others can see its advantages for themselves.

Aug 2nd 1975:  OLD SCHOOL RECALLED – Members and friends of the IW Society visited Little Appley, Ryde, on Wednesday week, at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. ESCOTT.  Little Appley, once a preparatory school, is now the property of Portsmouth Education Authority as accommodation for trainee teachers working in Island schools.  Members viewed the grounds and were shown over the house.  Another attraction was a display of pictures of little appley from its early days.  Albums of old photographs were also on view.

Aug 2nd 1975:  IN AT THE DEEP END – Police cadet Simon WRIGGLESWORTH, 17, of Ryde, is today due to take part in a cross-channel relay swim.  Simon of Thornton House, Thornton Cross, will do a 15-minute stint in the swim, staged to commemorate the first successful cross-channel attempt, by Captain WEBB, 100 years ago.  Also completing 15-minute stages will be British and European Heavyweight champion Joe BUGNER and Henry COOPER.

Aug 9th 1975:  SLIGHT ON THE TOWN – Ryde Hoteliers are upset by British Rail’s decision this summer to withdraw Golden Rail facilities from the town.  They are striving to have Ryde reinstated in the scheme and are seeking the support of Mr. Stephen ROSS, MP.  British Rail gave two reasons for withdrawal, One was that there were not enough Ryde hotels in the scheme.  The other was that taxis had difficulty in locating and picking up people at Ryde when arriving and leaving the town.

Aug 9th 1975:  WHAT A SIGHT FOR VISITORS – Since Ryde has come under Medina Borough Council our Esplanade has been seriously neglected.  When it rains the pavement by the railway line becomes flooded for the want of clearing the drains, which have not been done for months.  The entrance to the promenade by the café has serious pot-holes caused by cars which should never be allowed there.  The shelters on the promenade are not swept, they contain litter of all kinds under the seats and the outside seats have no backs.

Aug 23rd 1975:  DAY CENTRE OPENED – It was a dream come true for Mrs. Grace BURRIDGE, BEM, Women’s Royal Voluntary Service Ryde centre organiser, when a day centre for the disabled was opened at Garfield House, Ryde.  Mrs. BURRIDGE had been campaigning for the centre since her days on the former Ryde Borough Council, and she was prominent in the arrangements made for it by the Ryde branch of the WRVS.

Aug 23rd 1975:  RYDE TAKE DARTS CUP – The Ryde Ladies darts team won the Solent Cup for the first time, by the narrowest margin of a single game.  Trailing by one game after the first leg, the Island girls went to Portsmouth and won 7-4.  This win was achieved against a Portsmouth team that included eight current Hampshire players out of 12 competing.  The Island players had to leave to catch the boat home, so Portsmouth took the last game.