December 1969
Isle of Wight Times:
Dec 4th 1969: SEE WHAT’S COOKING – On Wednesday evening 26 members of Ryde Young Wives’ and Friends’ Group visited the Island Bakeries, Binstead. Mr. FELLS and Mr. HARRIS were the guides around the bakery, and every member was given a loaf and a dough cake.
Dec 4th 1969: FILM SHOW – The Ryde, Yorkshire and Lancashire Society held their monthly meeting at the Crown Hotel on Tuesday when 75 members saw a film projected by Mr. M. CASS entitled “A Home of Your Own,” a humorous story of work on a building site featuring several TV stars. Refreshments were served.
Dec 4th 1969: YOUNG ENTERTAIN OLD – Seventy elderly people were provided with free transport, including the St. John Ambulance Brigade ambulance, to be guests of the Ryde area youth organisations at Ryde Youth Centre. A programme of songs, dancing, games, conjuring and a Scouts and Guides camp fire was staged, concluding with an old-time music hall. Tea was provided.
Dec 11th 1969: SPINE CHILLER – While thunder and lightning banged and flashed on stage and tension mounted, an all too real north-easterly howled round Ryde Esplanade Pavilion on Thursday—the opening night of “The Sound of Murder.” Bravely overcoming the discomfort of freezing-cold dressing rooms and depressing sight of rows of empty seats, the Clarion Players gave a good performance. Had this thriller not been so entertaining, it is doubtful whether the tiny audience would have endured to the end the arctic climate of this draughty building.
Dec 11th 1969: ROAD WORKS – Irresponsible attitude to public safety by organisations undertaking road works was criticised by members of the Joint Safety Committee. Acknowledging complaints, the chairman said a further hazard was present in the practice of parking vehicles on pavements—particularly in busy thoroughfares.
Dec 11th 1969: HOUSEBOUND – Mr. Anthony GALE, chairman of Ryde, appealed at last week’s meeting of the East Wight Multiple Sclerosis Group for people to join who were able to visit housebound multiple sclerosis patients. The meeting was at the Health Clinic, Lake. Mr. GALE explained that before the group could become an official group of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, they needed about 40-50 members—about double the present figure—and their aim was to achieve this by Easter.
Dec 11th 1969: CAROLS FESTIVAL – A Festival of Carols given by the I.W. Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds at Ryde Town Hall on Tuesday was an outstanding success. Nine T.G. choirs took part including three from Ryde. The hall was packed—and so was the stage, with over 150 singers.
Dec 11th 1969: SHOPPING SPREE – With only a few more “shop breaking days” to Christmas, thieves made the most of the weekend in Ryde. Staff at Fowler’s, Union Street, arrived on Monday to find a number of fur coats and the safe stolen. At the Warwick Street premises of Vectis Office Equipment, raiders broke in through the workshop and took about £800 worth—17 typewriters and four adding machines. About £5 in sixpences was stolen from a jar in a house at Westfield Park, Ryde.
Dec 18th 1969: ALL CHANGE – A dozen BR guards who have just completed a fortnight’s course have begun as “makeshift conductors.” They issue tickets aboard the tube trains, enabling all station ticket offices with the exception of Ryde Esplanade and Pierhead, to be closed during the winter. The 12 men are working a rota basis, alternating between working as guards and conductors. Next season the ticket offices will re-open to deal with the influx of holidaymakers.
Dec 18th 1969: COUNCIL TENANTS – Tenants who want the interiors of council houses at Ryde redecorated when they move in will in future be told: “Do it yourself.” As an economy measure, the Borough council decided on Tuesday night to cease dipping into its purse and paint pots for this purpose.