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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January 1963

Isle of Wight Times

Jan 3rd 1963: SNOWFALL – After one of the worst snowfalls in living memory, the Island slithered and skidded into the New Year. A blizzard piled the white flakes deep across roads, railways and rooftops, bringing public transport to a standstill and isolating towns and villages.

Jan 3rd 1963: RAILWAYS -The Isle of Wight Railway had an unexpected boom this week after the road hold-ups in the snow. Extra carriages were added to trains bursting with passengers and even then people were standing, some even got left behind. Traffic was more than in peak summer.

Jan 3rd 1963: MEDICAL REPORT – I.W. Medical Officer said in his annual report, that although “health education on a shoe-string budget” tries to discourage people from smoking, it can never hope to match the high-power advertising of manufacturers. Television “has a lot to answer for.”

Jan 3rd 1963: MILK BOTTLES – Isle of Wight Creameries Ltd. have appealed to householders to return milk bottles as soon as they are emptied because of a threatened shortage.

Jan 10th 1963: CORRESPONDENCE – Dear Sir, I am making some enquiries about a Mr. W. T. RICKARD, V.C., who died at Ryde on 21st Feb 1905. He won his V.C. in the Crimean War and was accorded a full Naval funeral. Mrs. Ian PRATT of West Horsley, Surrey, is compiling a “Who’s Who” of V.C’s. She has some information from Naval records but there are still gaps about his background. Yours faithfully, W. R. GOUGH Petersfield, Hants (late St. John’s Road)

Jan 10th 1963: CREMATORIUM – A glass plate wall at the I.W. Crematorium which protects visitors and mourners from bad weather has proved a death trap to 68 birds in 12 months. Unable to see it, the birds have flown into the glass at speed; 21 different species, including five kingfishers, have been among those killed. After consultation with the RSPB, it was agreed to prepare removable wire mesh frames to cover the glass when the crematorium was closed.

Jan 10th 1963: THANK YOU – I.W. Hospital staff who struggled to get to work during the Arctic-like weather conditions received a public “Thank You” from the I.W. Group Hospital Management Committee on Monday. The hospitals have all carried on without a breakdown of any kind.

Jan 10th 1963: FIRE – Firemen had to climb into an attic to tackle a fire that started in the basement. The freak fire occurred at Westfield Park, Spencer-road, a large house being converted into flats. Workmen were burning waste in the basement grate when, it is believed, sparks found a gap near the top of the chimney stack in the attic.

Jan 10th 1963: RAILWAY VANS – Six new type freight vans have been specially developed by British Railways for the Horticultural Industry. The dual purpose vans have an adjustable ventilating system which makes them particularly suitable for transporting fresh produce.

Jan 10th 1963: BINSTEAD FACTORY – A. N. Clark (Engineers) Ltd., have now established themselves in their new factory premises at Binstead, and are now in full-scale production. Formerly of Merton, London, the company moved to the Island last year.

Jan 10th 1963: COLD COMFORT – In the recent bitter weather magistrates sitting at Ryde Town Hall court room have commented about the cold–several times they have conducted cases wearing overcoats and scarves.