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 1909

February 1909 - 100 Years ago

Isle of Wight Observer

Feb 6th 1909: UNEMPLOYED RELIEF – The Mayor has been busy during the past week in relieving the unemployed. On Tuesday a number were invited to participate, but although the Mayor was waiting to receive applications, the men did not present themselves at the right door. On Friday, however, some 30 applicants were seen, and sent away with something to relieve the present needs of their family in the shape of gifts of money and coal.

Feb 6th 1909: TREES – Numbers of trees have been felled in the field at the end of Spencer-road, and in various places near Ryde timber has been cut down in considerable quantities.

Feb 6th 1909: NAVAL ANNUAL – Mr. W. Fred MITCHELL, the well-known marine artist, is preparing pictures for the new Naval Annual which is published early in the year. Last year the whole of the illustrations were from his brush and artistically depicted H.M.S. Lord Nelson, H.M.S. Tartan, the Tauluba (Japanese armoured cruiser), H.M.S. Shannon, and H.M.S. Indomitable.

Feb 6th 1909: WEATHER – The year 1909 has not as yet fulfilled the hope that it would compensate to some extent for the deficiency of rain last year.

Feb 13th 1909: MISSING BRASS WORK – On Thursday in consequence of complaints of fittings having been stolen from empty houses situated in the borough and High Park, the County Police searched the premises of some Italians in High-street, Oakfield, they found there between a ton and 30cwt of brass fittings, they detained the occupier and his son.

Feb 13th 1909: SKATING CARNIVAL – A fancy dress Skating Carnival was held at the Pier Pavilion on Wednesday evening, when there was a large attendance of skaters, the majority in fancy dress. A number of prizes were awarded.

Feb 13th 1909: CANOE LAKE – The swans and ducks on the canoe lake appeared very much surprised when the lake was drained off for its annual clean up.

Feb 13th 1909: CRIBBAGE MATCH – The Working Man’s Club and the Railway employees were again engaged in a four-handed cribbage match on Thursday, six tables being provided.

Feb 20th 1909: ESPLANADE GARDENS – Great improvements have been affected at the Eastern Esplanade gardens, and the attractiveness of the spot has been much enhanced. A great portion of the gardens have been re-turfed. The evergreen shrubs have been dug up so that they only occupy a narrow strip.

Feb 20th 1909: ENTERTAINING – The Mayor and Mrs. M. MAYBRICK entertained close on 150 old people to tea at the Town Hall on Friday evening last. The Mayoress herself assisted in waiting on them.

Isle of Wight Times

Feb 4th 1909: POLICE PRESENTATION – P.C. James John BUCKLAND has retired from the Ryde Borough Police Force, after a faithful and efficient service lasting just over 27 years. On Wednesday at the Police Station, he was the recipient of a handsome clock as a token of the esteem of his colleagues. The Mayor (Mr. Michael MAYBRICK, J.P.) made the presentation.

Feb 4th 1909: ENTERTAINMENT – A large and fashionable audience assembled at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening in support of an entertainment kindly arranged by Mrs. WELBY and Mrs. INGLEBY MACKENZIE in aid of the fund for improving the heating and ventilation of the Parish Church.

Feb 18th 1909: FOUND DROWNED – On Tuesday morning, Walter PRICE, a waterman, of Buckingham-road, found the body of a lad named Leonard COOMBES, on the sands under Player’s Copse. The lad was 13½ and lived with his parents in West-street. He had been missing from his home the previous night. It is presumed that the lad was caught by the tide. The body was taken to the mortuary by P.C. WARNE to await the inquest on Friday.

Feb 18th 1909: ONE HUNDRED STRONG – The Ryde detachment of the Isle of Wight Rifles paraded on Thursday under the Adjutant, Capt. R. H. KELLER, D.S.O. They turned out 100 strong and marched to the Esplanade, where an examination of N.C. Officers took place, the result of which was very satisfactory. The Adjutant then inspected the recruits, and complimented them on the way they did their drill.