January 1971
Isle of Wight County Press:
Jan 2nd 1971: BID TO SAVE CHURCH – A group known as the Friends of St. Thomas’s are fighting to save Ryde’s oldest Anglican church, St Thomas’s, from demolition. They have been in touch with Alderman Mark WOODNUTT, M.P., who has referred it to the Minister for the Environment. The immediate aim of the group was to preserve St. Thomas’s Church for the benefit of Ryde and its citizens. A public meeting will be convened, and particularly those who have someone who was christened, married or buried there would be welcome.
Jan 2nd 1971: HOUSING – Mr. E. S. SHEPPARD (town clerk) reported that the Department of the Environment had raised no objection to the council’s housing programme for 1971. This would consist of the redevelopment of an extensive area of Oakfield and the joint development with the Trustees of Wilder’s Almshouses in Newport Street of the almshouses site. More about the Almshouses here
Jan 2nd 1971: THREE SUNDAY CALLS – Fire Brigade crews answered three calls on Sunday. At about 3.15 p.m. firemen dealt with a chimney fire at Westwood Road, and shortly after 9.30 they were called to 1 South Street, where they extinguished a hearth fire by removing the hearth. Less than an hour later they and Southern Electricity Board personnel were called to Nettlestone where a lamp standard was on fire.
Jan 2nd 1971: CHRISTMAS LUNCH – The Women’s Royal Voluntary Service local staff served a meal at the Old People’s Luncheon Club at the Newport Street headquarters on Wednesday week. Guests included Mr. H. E. MOREY, B.E.M. (mayor), who gave a turkey, and Mrs. MOREY (mayoress). In addition to 126 meals served at the club, 40 Christmas dinners were taken round to elderly people who were unable to attend.
Jan 2nd 1971: SHOPPING PRECINCT – The Town Council Roads Committee on Wednesday considered a letter from the town’s Professional and Business Men’s Association asking if the council could carry out a feasibility report on providing a shopping precinct in High Street. It was agreed that Mr. M. OCCOMORE (borough surveyor) should talk to the association on various aspects of the suggestion.
Jan 9th 1971: LETTER TO THE EDITOR – Re the letter about the drinking cups washed up on the beaches. Where are all the gardeners don’t they know that all the cups make lovely utensils to grow seeds in, especially tomatoes. We used a lot last year they are strong and well washed out by the sea water. We are just going to collect some more off the beach…..M. M. BELL, Grasmere Avenue, Appley.
Jan 9th 1971: RESTAURATEUR ATTACKED – Mr. Keith Arthur GIBBS, aged 21, manager of the Swiss Chalet, High Street, was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital, on Monday night and detained with concussion and facial injuries after being attacked by two youths aged between 18 and 20. Mr. GIBBS was disturbed at about 10.45 p.m. by untoward sounds in the street and saw the youths scraping a piece of plastic along shop windows. He was attacked when he asked them to stop.
Jan 9th 1971: AMATEUR GARDENERS – Members of the borough Allotments and Gardens Society were asked to pay their subscriptions before the change to decimal currency, and it was agreed to leave the question of the amount of future subscriptions until the next annual meeting.
Jan 9th 1971: GENEROUS TOWNSPEOPLE – Mr. J. CONWAY-HUGHES (president) of the Rotary Club, writes expressing appreciation to the numerous people in Ryde who responded so generously to the Rotary Christmas parcels scheme. He adds “Through the funds and gifts made available we were able to distribute 150 parcels to some of the less fortunate members of the community.”
Jan 23rd 1971: UNION STREET PROTEST – A petition containing about 400 signatures was delivered to County Hall, Newport, on Wednesday protesting against a proposed bingo hall in Union Street. The petition follows a public notice appearing in newspapers of the intention to seek town and country permission for the development of prize bingo in the front section of 68 Union Street, at present a betting shop.