May 1969
Isle of Wight County Press:
May 3rd 1969: GYMKHANA – There were nearly 500 entries for the first event of the season at Ashey Road, Ryde, on Saturday. The windy conditions and swaying “wings” may have distracted the efforts of many newcomers, for it was the experienced Muddoon, with Miss BUTLER, of Bembridge, and Miss BENSON, recently moved to the Island, with her Newtown II, who fought out the final stages of the main event.
May 3rd 1969: GIRLS’ BRIGADE DISPLAY – Taking part in the national display at the Royal Albert Hall today are 100 members of the I.W. Division. They were due to leave for London on the first boat with Captain (Miss) E. F. SAUNDERS (Island Commissioner) and other officers. This morning they will be rehearsing and this afternoon will perform in a programme presented by over 1000 girls from all parts of the British Isles.
May 10th 1969: WOMEN’S GAS FEDERATION – Mr. R. TIMS spoke on “Facts about Fish” at the monthly meeting at the Southern Gas Board demonstration room, High Street, on Monday. He explained the various stages of the industry from the catching and freezing of various kinds of fish until they reached the fishmonger’s slab.
May 10th 1969: BINSTEAD CEMETERY EXTENSION – Ryde Town Council on Tuesday adopted a General Purposes Committee recommendation to accept the tender of CHEEK Brothers Limited, the lowest received, in the overall figure of £2880.7s.6d. for road and drainage works at the proposed cemetery extension.
May 10th 1969: C.E. CHILDREN’S SOCIETY – Over 81 was raised for the society recently by two local events. A coffee morning at the Parish Church Hall realised £13.2s., and a flag day in the town and at Seaview yielded £68.5s.6d.
May 10th 1969: HEALTH AND WELFARE – The County Council are to step in with financial support for the Meals on Wheels delivery scheme to prevent a severe reduction of the service.
May 10th 1969: CONFERENCE – The annual conference of the National Association of Chief and Principal Nursing Officers was held in the Island at the weekend. The conference opened at the Royal York Hotel, Ryde, on Friday week, when Mr. A. H. BALDWIN, of Bristol, was re-elected president.
May 17th 1969: PUBLICITY NEEDED – When I came to live on the Island six years ago, I had no idea of its size and beauty, and friends who came over, when shown around, were equally impressed, but how many people on the mainland know. How many know that the Island is bigger and more beautiful than Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man? I know them all and prefer the Isle of Wight. It is shocking to read how tiny is the advertising expenditure compared with that of the Channel Islands. LYNAS, The Strand, Ryde.
May 17th 1969: REVIEW – A trickle of naval vessels into Spithead on Tuesday became a steady stream on Wednesday, when a total of 61 ships from 12 navies took up station for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 20th anniversary review on Thursday and yesterday. The impressive array of N.A.T.O.’s naval might assembled between Portsmouth and Ryde, with the Royal Yacht Britannia taking up her position. The largest ship in the review was the United States aircraft carrier Wasp, 40,600 tons.
May 24th 1969: CHURCH RESTORATION – The contractors have started the second stage in the restoration of St. James’s Church. The cost of the second stage will be about £7000, of which over £3382 has been raised to date, including the £1000 gift from Lord RANK. To raise more money a shop has been opened this week at 143 High Street, by courtesy of Island Bakeries, Ltd., for the reception and sale of gifts.