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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February 1864

Isle of Wight Observer:-

Feb 6th 1864: RAILWAY – Great activity prevails the whole length of the line from Ryde to Shanklin, its opening to this extent being contemplated on the 1st of May next. At the end of the line, the engine houses, which are being erected near Mr GUY’s nursery grounds, will be used as a temporary terminus.

Feb 6th 1864: IMPROVEMENTS – Amongst the many improvements in the town, we may mention the handsome extensive business premises lately erected in the High-street by Mr. DIMMICK, which is an ornament to the street. The old Baptist chapel, in John-street, has been fitted-up as a coach factory by Mr. JEFFERY; while the extensive business premises erecting at the corner of High-street and John-street are rapidly approaching completion.

Feb 6th 1864: NEW CLOCK – The illuminated clock intended to be erected at Mr. NEWBALD’s new residence opposite the general Post-office, in Union-street, has been received, and will be affixed in a very few days. It is about 9ft in circumference and 3ft in diameter.

Feb 6th 1864: EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT – An effort is now being made by the assistants in the town with a view of inducing employers to adopt a uniform hour for closing, viz., 7 o’clock during the 6 winter months and 8 o’clock during the 6 summer months. The movement has already received the sanction of some of the principal tradesmen of the town.

Feb 13th 1864: ADVERT – Belgrave Hotel and Family Boarding House, Nelson-street, Ryde. W. SALTER begs to inform his friends and the public, that in addition to the accommodation hitherto afforded by Board and Lodging, he has now obtained a Wine & Spirit License, and is prepared to supply articles of the most genuine quality at strictly moderate charges. Winter Terms: Board & Lodging, per week £2.2s.0d. Board & Lodging per day 7s.0d. W. SALTER, Proprietor.

Feb 13th 1864: FEAST OF SEASON – Members of the Harmonic held at the Queen Hotel, Monkton-street, and a few of their friends, dined together on Monday evening. After “every man had done his duty” to the worthy hosts’ most excellent spread, the cloth was removed and the evening was devoted to “song, toast and sentiment.” A jolly entertainment was only brought to conclusion at that period supposed to be devoted entirely to the crowing of cocks.

Feb 20th 1864: SEA FISHERIES – It is probable that the Royal Commissioners will visit the Isle of Wight soon after Easter to make enquiries as to the state of the oyster, the crab and lobster, the prawn, and other fisheries around our coast with a view of amending the law of protection.

Feb 27th 1864: ROTARY HAIR BRUSH – We have seen a very curious invention, under this name at Mr. BEACH’s, perfumer, High-street, used for brushing the hair by machinery. The invention is clever, and appears to answer exceedingly well the purpose for which it was designed. The application is very soothing to the head and greatly surpasses the use of the common hair brush.

Feb 27th 1864: ST. MARIE’S CHURCH – A spiritual retreat has long been contemplated at this beautiful church, and accordingly the penitential time of Lent has been chosen for it. This is the first service of the kind in Ryde, although the mission has been established 18 years.

Feb 27th 1864: STAR HOTEL – The drawing-room entertainment at the Star hotel on Tuesday evening last was a decided success. The audience, who were very numerous and select, quite filling the spacious harmonic-hall, one end of which was tastefully fitted up as a theatre.