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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March 1917

Isle of Wight Observer:-

Mar 3rd 1917:  POTATOES – Many households have been without the once humble but now luxurious tuber throughout the week.

Mar 10th 1917:  BANKRUPTCY NOTICE – A receiving order in bankruptcy is gazetted in the case of Arthur BEVIS, 71 Union Street, Ryde, outfitter.

Mar 10th 1917:  I.W. COUNTY HOSPITAL – One remark was added to the annual report, that the men who came from Hazelwood were received for the sum of 2s. a day.  The actual cost was about 7s. a day, but it was thought they would agree that it was their duty to do everything they possibly could for wounded soldiers.

Mar 10th 1917:  FIRE EDUCATION – It was the duty of head teachers to put the children through a course of fire drill, five or six times a year, the day chosen to be left to the head teachers.  A fire drill must necessarily be a surprise and there is no advice given that children should not be left out in the street on a bitterly cold day without any wraps, but the children would not wait to get any coats and hats.

Mar 17th 1917:  NO PLACARDS – The abolition of the newspaper contents bill affects a striking change.  The news placard has been a familiar object, and to a greater extent to a great many people it afforded all the public news that they wished for.  The withdrawal of the placard, instead of saving paper, will have the opposite effect, since it may add to the number of people who buy a paper to see what is going on.

Mar 17th 1917:  MASTER BUTCHERS’ ASSOCIATION – The annual meeting of this Association was held at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Newport on Tuesday.  The officers elected for the year were President, Mr Rowland RUSSELL, Ryde; Vice-President, Mr E. C. LOADER, Ryde; Hon. Treasurer, Mr W. COATES (Hill Farm).

Mar 24th 1917:  SUNDAY WORK ON THE LAND – Sunday work has been very general since the war began.  Munition workers were and are still accustomed to working seven days a week, although the practice has been largely discounted owing to the discovery that toiling seven days instead of six did not increase the total output of energy of the average worker.  One day’s rest is necessary for labour to be efficient.

Mar 24th 1917:  WANTED – Hazelwood Red Cross Hospital wants the loan of a large cupboard or wardrobe.  Will some kind friend oblige?

Mar 24th 1917:  EARLY SHOPPING REGULATIONS – Almost with one voice the small shopkeepers declared that they would be ruined by the Early Closing Order, now they are agreeing that it was a blessing in disguise.  Eight o’clock closing cannot be said to be unduly early, but to multitudes of shopkeepers it means a shorter working day than it used to be, the last thing they want is a return to the old order of things.

Mar 24th 1917:  OFFER OF LAND – Mr E. J. JOHNS, of Salisbury Road, wrote offering the use of a plot of land on the Preston Park Estate to the Council at a yearly rental of 1s. for the growing of vegetables during the war.

Mar 31st 1917:  SEATS – Garden seats have been places against the railings of St. Thomas’ Church and facing the Square.  Primarily intended for the use of wounded soldiers when they take their walks abroad.  If there are still any “Weary Willies” about it is hoped that they will be able to grasp the motive which has prompted placing the seats where they are.

Mar 31st 1917: FIGHT – There was some excitement last Saturday evening in front of a greengrocer’s shop in the High Street, and a lady who wanted to know if there was a fight on was assured that there was—a fight for potatoes.