February 1963

Isle of Wight Times:-

Feb 14th 1963: BAND – Mr. Enos S. BROWN of Dingle Nook, Kings-road, Binstead, who was recently appointed musical director of Ryde Borough Band, is a valuable addition to their ranks. One of the country’s best-known figures in “brass-banding,” he came to the Island a year ago.

Feb 14th 1963: POSTMEN – These who have ploughed through deep snow drifts and telephone engineers who have repaired faults at the top of poles in biting winds and snowstorms over the weeks of the cold weather, have been thanked by the Postmaster General.

Feb 14th 1963: TRAFFIC LIGHTS – A suggested plan for traffic lights at the Fiveways Junction, recently described as “the most dangerous in the Island,” has been dropped.

Feb 14th 1963: TIDY UP – Since it will be some time before the National Provincial Bank can develop the site of the old Theatre Royal destroyed by fire, the council will ask them to tidy up the area before the summer season.

Feb 14th 1963: SMALLBROOK – Consideration is being given to using the now vacant Smallbrook playing field, until recently the home ground of Ryde Cricket Club, as a camping site, leaving however, a section available for a model aircraft flying club who already operate in the area.

Feb 14th 1963: HOUSES – Two police houses are to be built at the top of Quarr Hill, Binstead, subject to Home Office approval, at a cost of about £8,735. Semi-detached, the houses will have garages and stores and auxiliary works are included in the price.

Feb 14th 1963: CAR PARK – Acquisition and development of land and premises at the rear of Cross-street, Ryde, for the extension of the George-street central car park will cost £2,900.

Feb 14th 1963: TENPIN – Ryde Corporation is investigating the possibility of finding suitable land or buildings for use as a tenpin bowling centre; a firm who manufacture equipment for the sport have told them once a site can be found, they would invite an operator to apply for planning permission.

Feb 14th 1963: AMENITIES – New wet-weather shelters on the sea front and a more varied repertoire by the Borough orchestra, are now provided for in the council’s development programme.

Feb 21st 1963: FLUORIDISATION – Many people will be very concerned at the possibility that we in Ryde might have sodium fluoride added to our water supplies. It is stated by many eminent doctors to be a cumulative poison added to our daily diet. This is an experiment, the results of which cannot be known for many years.

Feb 21st 1963: ON TELEVISION – Ryde Pier tram driver Mr. Edwin RISDON, of 100 George-street, Ryde, beat the panel in B.B.C.’s television programme “What’s My Line?” Mr. RISDON is not the only television star in the family, his daughter Nicolette appeared in ITV’s quiz “Spot The Tune” last year and won the top prize.

Feb 28th 1963: DEPARTURE – The Solent Queen, well known pleasure craft to thousands of Island visitors, has been sold by her owner, Mr. John HIGGIN, managing director of Seaview Services, to a firm in the Scilly Isles. Mr. HIGGIN sold the 36 ft. boat because he found himself “too tied up in coach and bus work.” He bought the Solent Queen in 1955.