January 1870
Isle of Wight Observer:
Jan 1st 1870: SUCCESSFUL OPERATION – A very formidable operation was performed on Sunday last at Swanmore-road by one of our leading practitioners, who does not wish his name to be known as the operator. A girl named ARMSTEAD had been suffering for some time and amputation of the hip joint was considered necessary. The operation was most successfully performed in the presence of several medical gentlemen. The patient is now, we hear, progressing most favourably.
Jan 8th 1870: ROYAL VISITS – Her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice honoured Ryde with a visit on Monday on horseback, and on Tuesday Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise visited the town in a carriage and pair, attended by the usual outriders.
Jan 8th 1870: BEERSHOP – Joseph COATES, of the Fountain inn, Player-street, was summoned for selling beer during the hours of Divine Service. Fined 1s., and costs.
Jan 15th 1870: SUPPER – On Tuesday evening a supper was given at Yelf’s hotel to the workmen employed at Brookfield Lodge, Binstead. Supper was on the table at half-past 6 o’clock when 69 sat down to a most capital spread. In the absence of J. F. OLLARD, esq., the giver of the feast, the chair was taken by the architect, Richard Jas. JONES, esq. The cloth removed and grace said, speeches and songs became the order of the evening. The toast was drunk and all having been honoured, pipes and songs wound up the evening.
Jan 15th 1870: WEEKS’S SCHOOLS – On Thursday evening there was a large gathering at these schools on the occasion of the distribution of prizes to the Sunday school children, consisting of books and many articles of clothing. The parents of the children were previously entertained at tea. The singing of the children was highly commended.
Jan 15th 1870: IRON GRAND – A very fine specimen of this superb instrument may be seen at TURTLE and TURTLE’s music warerooms, 23 Union Street, Ryde, (opposite the Arcade). Its peculiarity consists in a solid casting bell metal, which forms the entire internal framework. This gives the tone a singularly rich, pure, and brilliant quality, and the precision with which it can graduate from the utmost fortissimo to the softest inflexion, and faintest whisper, is something marvellous.
Jan 22nd 1870: THE TRAMWAY – The rails have now been fixed on the tramway, so that this necessary work is progressing rapidly. The old Coastguard house opposite the flag-staff has been demolished, to make room for the new line of tramway, so that the appearance of that portion of the Esplanade has been considerable by the change.
Jan 22nd 1870: SEAWEED – It is well known that a great quantity of seaweed has been washed up along this coast, and some of the farmers have been carting it away for manure. The seaweed still washes up in great quantities.
Jan 22nd 1870: ALARM OF FIRE – On Friday evening last, between 9 and 10 o’clock, a little girl was passing up Union-road, when she saw dense volumes of smoke issuing from the roof of Mr. Leonard HALSTEAD’s work-shops, which is situated next door to Mr. CHIVERTON’s wine and spirit stores. Mr. BUCKETT, at the Town-hall, as well as the police, were speedily communicated with, and they were on the spot almost with the rapidity of lightening. The firemen carried the hose over the roof to the spot where the fire was burning. Thankfully, the fire was promptly suppressed.
Jan 29th 1870: IMPROVEMENTS – Every one in the town of Ryde, as well as the visitors, knew the house fronting the Victoria pier, for so many years in the occupation of Mr. Jas. WILLIAMS as a bathing establishment, which is now being pulled down. We understand it is intended to erect spacious refreshment rooms thereon, and the new premises have been leased to Mr. HARRIS, of Union-street for that purpose.