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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December 1962

Isle of Wight Times:-

Dec 6th 1962: BREAK-IN – Police are puzzled over a raid on Messrs. POLLARD & RAMAGE, photographic chemists, in Ryde High-street during Tuesday night. Thieves who got in through a rear window ignored valuable stock and optical equipment. Instead they took 2s.6d. from the till, some collection boxes placed on the counter for charity, and a cheap camera worth about £7.10s.

Dec 6th 1962: WESTON HUT – The unusual title “Christmas Crackers” was used by the St. John’s area Scout and Guide groups to describe a combined bazaar and entertainment organised by parents’ committees and held at the Weston Hut on Saturday afternoon. Shortly after opening time the hall was packed almost to bursting point.

Dec 6th 1962: NOT ON SUNDAY – On Tuesday evening a packed public protest meeting of Elmfield residents at the High Park tavern club room made it plain that they were determined to fight the issue of the “horrible noise, ” and that the Go-Karts must go on Sundays. The race meeting which prompted the action was the first major one of its kind on the Island, on Sunday 21st October.

Dec 13th 1962: HOTELIERS – Hoteliers are not satisfied with the facilities that Ryde has to offer in wet weather, early and late season, and lack of entertainments for children. Ryde Borough Council Parks & Entertainments Committee have accepted a request to meet two representatives of the association to discuss proposals for added seasonal amenities.

Dec 13th 1962: BINSTEAD SCHOOL -There was a plan for a new school but this would not come into being for ten years. The Methodist Hall, now being used at an annual rent of £70, was dark and badly ventilated. Since other organisations used it the school could not store equipment there. The proposal for a temporary classroom has been referred back to the Education Committee.

Dec 13th 1962: RUBBISH – The dustmen are not due to call for several days, the dustbin is full, so what can be done with the mounting household refuse? This problem often faces householders in the Ryde area, and quite a number have found an unfortunate answer — to wait until it is dark, then creep quietly into the nearest wood and dump it.

Dec 13th 1962: TWO WORST JUNCTIONS – Mirrors, traffic lights, “zebra” crossings, road islands and traffic wardens. All of these were suggested at the council meeting to alleviate traffic dangers at two of the town’s most hazardous road junctions—Queen’s-road with Pellhurst-road, and “Fiveways” crossroads (where five roads meet).

Dec 13th 1962: TYPHOID – Three members of a West Indian family, later found to be suffering from typhoid, visited a cafe in Ryde at the height of the holiday season in August 1961. This well-kept secret is disclosed in the annual report for 1961 by the town’s Medical Officer.

Dec 13th 1962: GOOD CONNECTIONS – Ryde Police are looking for a “light” fingered thief who raided the Wootton store of Mr. William WAY, who always installs High-street and Union-street Christmas tree decorations outside Ryde shops, and stole £12 to £15 worth of connectors.

Dec 13th 1962: CRICKET – There was a surprising change of heart by Ryde Borough Council when by 13 votes to seven, they decided to allow the town’s cricket club to use Simeon-street Recreation Ground. This means the club will shift stumps from their old headquarters at Smallbrook, a mile outside the town, to a ground within the town itself.