December 1974
Isle of Wight County Press:
Dec 7th 1974: BUS ACCIDENT – A double-deck bus hit the side of the Corner House Café at the bottom of Union Street, Ryde, on Monday afternoon. Road works had restricted the street to single-line traffic. No-one was hurt in the accident during which two of the bus windows were broken. The café which is unoccupied, was slightly damaged.
Dec 7th 1974: BAKE IT YOURSELF – Many housewives, anxious to overcome the bread shortage caused by a nationwide strike of members of the Bakers’ Union, have decided to go it alone and bake their own. Ryde branch of International Stores Ltd., who have been restricted to 40 loaves a day since the strike, had no yeast or baking powder left and are getting short of flour. Suppliers Lyons, are not producing any at all.
Dec 7th 1974: DISAPPOINTMENT – Mr. W. C. WHITTAKER, Medina Borough Council Entertainments Officer said, although he thought the Autumn Follies show had been a worthwhile exercise, and a thoroughly well received artistic success, it was unfortunately not so successful financially.
Dec 7th 1974: SMILES TO YOUNG FACES – Mr. Terry BALL, a garage proprietor, Mr. Buck CASS, and Mr. Keith HAYLES, having noticed for some time the lack of playing facilities for children at Oakfield, decided to do something about it. Having obtained the agreement of Medina Borough Council, they repaired a set of swings at Oakfield recreation ground. They designed and built with parts of old cars a gleaming silver-painted round-about in Mr. BALL’s garage, which they erected in the neighbourhood park, on a concrete base built by the council.
Dec 7th 1974: CHRISTMAS PARCELS – The Rotary Club of Ryde have a scheme where they plan to provide parcels for the needy and elderly of our town at Christmas. Members of the shopping public are being invited to join the scheme by purchasing items suitable for inclusion in the parcels and to donate them by leaving them in the receptacles provided at the shops. The Rotary Club will collect and deliver in time for Christmas.
Dec 7th 1974: CHRISTMAS MARKET – Net proceeds of approximately £150 were raised by a Christmas market held by the 1st Binstead (1st Ryde) scout group at Ryde Town Hall on Saturday. The proceeds will be divided between the band and group funds.
Dec 14th 1974: FIGHT TO SAVE TUG – Gale force 9 winds and heavy seas pounded a tug with smashed steering gear and threw a barge against Ryde pier early on Wednesday morning. The barge had slipped its anchor and crashed into the tug. Both vessels were involved in pile-laying at the pier. After the tug had been safely beached and temporary repairs made, it was pulled clear by the Ryde Trinity House pilot launch.
Dec 14th 1974: NEW BOOK – A Ryde man recently had his first book of cartoons published. Mr. Richard J. WHITE, a library assistant, called his book, “Brighter Wight.” It contains more than 60 examples of his humour. From the front cover to the back page, this little book is one continuous chuckle.
Dec 21st 1974: ‘TOP THE POPS’ – Ohio, the Island’s own pop group, had a boost on Monday where they won the pop section of the Ron GOODWIN Young Musician of the Year competition. The competition, run over the past year by Southern Television’s Day by Day, was to find the best young musicians in the south. As well as a cash prize, the winners get a chance of a recording session with Ron GOODWIN.
Dec 21st 1974: SAFER CHRISTMAS – Last year, over the Christmas period, 17 people were injured on Island roads, an average of two a day. This year the County Council is supporting the current RoSPA campaign, “Don’t let them die on the road,” An appeal is being made to all drivers and pedestrians to be more careful during the Christmas period.
Dec 21st 1974: NO NEED – It is utterly deplored, the waste of power with thousands of coloured lights strung across Ryde High Street long before the festive season arrives. Switching on a few days before Christmas, December 21 until December 30 inclusive, would save a considerable amount of money.