May 1968
Isle of Wight Times:
May 2nd 1968: BY POST – Every envelope brought a problem for members of the Ryde Youth Club team taking part in the annual Hampshire and I.W. Association of Youth Clubs’ postal quiz. Thirty-five clubs took part in this year’s county competition in which each team were sent questions through the post.
May 2nd 1968: MILITARY EXERCISE – Chief talking point at Ryde Sea Rangers’ meeting at their Fishbourne headquarters on Monday evening was Operation Maidens’ Run, the military exercise which involved the G Parachute Battery (Mercer’ Troup) R.H.A., based at Lille Barracks, Aldershot.
May 2nd 1968: TREES – Dear Sir, As owner of the familiar old Elms in Spencer Road, along Buckland Grange frontage, I feel I should let the public know, that unfortunately, due to their great age, these elms have been condemned as dangerous and must be felled. I have taken expert advice, and have been assured that when the trees have been removed, the resulting view of the unique collection of beautiful trees and shrubs which will then be revealed will more than compensate for the loss of these old favourites. Mrs. O COOPER, Buckland Grange.
May 9th 1968: COMPETITION – A 34-year-old Ryde housewife, Mrs. Desiree BROWN, was one of the three winners in the area finals of the annual G.P.O Telephone Personality Girl competition, held at Telephone House, Southsea, on Monday. She is now temporary supervisor at Ryde Telephone Exchange.
May 9th 1968: REASON ENOUGH – Asked by a policeman if he had a reason for not displaying a current excise licence on his car, the man replied: “Yes—a very good reason. It is not taxed!”
May 9th 1968: LAUNCH BLAZE – Two Trinity House pilots fought a blaze aboard their 40ft cutter “Vigia” off Ryde on Saturday night while Bembridge lifeboat and other craft raced to the scene. They managed to quell flames which had swept over the starboard of the vessel’s two diesel engines as the “Vigia” was returning to Cowes at 10.30 after the final rendezvous of the day.
May 16th 1968: CENTENARY – The Borough of Ryde will be shortly be celebrating its Centenary as it was on the 23rd July 1868 that Her Late Majesty, Queen Victoria, granted our Royal Charter. It has been suggested that in this Centenary Year the residents of Ryde might well make a special effort to achieve record investments in National Savings.
May 16th 1968: FLOODING – Sir, May I express my thanks to Mr. WIGMORE for the manner in which he has worked over the past nine years for the unfortunate residents who suffer from flooding in the lower part of the town. During his three years service on the Ryde Borough Council he has never ceased to give this matter top priority and at long last the pumps are being installed.
May 16th 1968: COUNCIL BREVITIES – Ryde Council’s deck chair stock at the start of this season totalled 3,250, but since at least 4,000 are needed, tenders are being invited for a further supply. Pleasure boat operators must pay more for licences this season, and boatmen’s licences jump from 1s. to 5s.
May 23rd 1968: OUTING – A visit to Burt’s Brewery, Ventnor, was recently made by Ryde Amateur Wine-makers, when the various processes were explained, and a reception given. On Monday evening, members held a bread-wine and beer competition at the Osborne Oasis.
May 30th 1968: HELICOPTER – A R.N. helicopter from the Lee-on-Solent air base landed in the grounds of Ryde School yesterday afternoon bringing Commodore Richard YOUNG, Commodore of Reserve Ships, Portsmouth. He flew in to make an official inspection of the school’s Combined Cadet Force and to open their new headquarters, a 60ft by 20ft cedarwood building erected under a Ministry of Defence contract.