February 1969
Isle of Wight Times
Feb 6th 1969: MOTOR COACH OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION – At the annual dinner held at the Ponda Rosa, Ashey, Mr. SHOTTER, voiced concern about the sweeping alterations planned for Ryde Esplanade, in connection with a new western relief road. “We hope the interests of the coach operators will not be lost sight of as this work progresses,” he said, “particularly inasmuch as it affects coach stands, and the picking up and setting down points near the pier gates, which becomes a more difficult problem each year.
Feb 6th 1969: TRAVEL HAZARDS – Sunday evening’s snowfall and the freezing temperatures which followed throughout the night made travelling hazardous next morning. Since the first two scheduled electric trains between Ryde and Shanklin were unable to operate because the conductor rails were iced up, an emergency bus service was laid on.
Feb 20th 1969: BUCCANEERS’ VISIT – A resuscitation trolley for premature babies costing £250 was presented to St. Mary’s Hospital, Newport, on Monday by Ryde Buccaneers. During the more than 30 years in which they have been operating, the Buccaneers have raised about £35,000 for charity.
Feb 20th 1969: BELLEVUE PLAYERS – A “Gilbert and Sullivan party” was held at the Bellevue Players’ clubroom, 40 Union Street, on Saturday when musical items were contributed by Messrs. HUTCHINSON and W. WALKER, assisted by ladies of the chorus (the social sub-committee) who organised the event. Mrs. K. PRITCHARD was at the piano and the proceeds were for club funds.
Feb 20th 1969: VISITORS – “Instead of complaining about having to get off the pavement because of the crowds in the town during the summer, residents should be delighted at the inconvenience.” This was the comment of Ryde’s Deputy Mayor at the annual banquet of the Ryde and Seaview Hotel, Guest House and Caterers’ Association, at the Royal York Hotel on Friday. “These visitors are our very life blood,” he went on. “Let us not forget that Ryde is a seaside resort, and without the influx of visitors each year we should be reduced to a very low ebb.”
Feb 20th 1969: METRIC MEASURE – Isle of Wight chemists look forward apprehensively to March 3. That is M-Day—when all bottled medicine sold over the counter will be changed to the metric measure. The pharmacists are ready for the change (although most of them seem reluctant about it) but their big worry is: will the customers be? We visualise elderly people who are used to taking their doses in teaspoons or tablespoons, continuing to do so despite the small print on the bottles.
Feb 20th 1969: BARGAINS – You never saw such a pile of old jumble, nor such an impatient queue for it. For the paltry sum of 3d., admission was offered to a positive mine of bric-a-brac at Ryde’s St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hall, in Newport Street, on Saturday, and if this were not enough to stir the senses, there was a raffle and tea thrown in. They stood four-deep in the biting cold, and they waited, and waited. Panic reigned among the organisers, but no key could be found, so everyone went home. On the Monday morning the hall full of delectable jumble had to be cleared, and stored away for another day.
Feb 20th 1969: DISRUPTION – Solent ferry passengers using Ryde Pier for their connection yesterday afternoon made the half-mile trip in taxis at BR’s expense. A fierce north-easterly wind and a 15 ft. high tide sent waves crashing over the pier, making it impossible for the electric trains to run. Instead, four cars made six trips to and from each boat. There was some confusion. A few passengers jumped in “non-special” taxis expecting free rides, sparking off a certain amount of verbal thrust.
Feb 27th 1969: NEW ROUTE – Re-routing of the No. 16 buses via Garfield Road, West Street and Lind Street, with the terminus in its original site near the Town Hall, will begin before the start of the summer season. Road improvements are also planned. The Southern Vectis and the County Council have been extremely co-operative and understanding of the problems.