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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October 1861

Isle of Wight Observer

Oct 5th 1861: FORMIDABLE NAVIGATORS – Now so many of those muscular men known as navvies are stationed in the Island, it becomes a serious question whether or not the police force should not be strengthened for the better conservation of peace in the neighbourhood where they are employed. We have been informed a tradesman of Ryde was molested by one of them on his way home from Brading in a carriage.

Oct 5th 1861: HOWE’S CIRCUS ; This equestrian troupe have been “showing off” on the Dover during the past week, and attracting immense crowds to witness their performances. Some of the lady riders are the best we ever saw in the country, and accomplish some most daring feats in equestrianism.

Oct 5th 1861: TOWN CRIER – This new officer of the town of Ryde commenced his duties in St. Thomas’s-square by crying a sale. He was dressed rather smartly in an invisible-blue coat with scarlet collar and cuffs and bright buttons, belt, hat, and gold band. His utterance, we are told, will improve in on overcoming a little strangeness and shyness.

Oct 5th 1861: GOOD FEAST – This annual and capital feast took place on Monday evening at the Nelson (Harlequin) Tavern, where the same convivial gathering has been held for the last 30 years. The geese were in prime order and mine Host and Hostess JENKINS served them up in first rate style, and the numerous company who sat down did not forget to do justice to them. Songs, toasts and saucy jokes going jovially round until the dawn of morn.

Oct 5th 1861: PUTTING THEIR FEET IN IT – It appears that some owner of property at Swanmore had occasion to open a drain or lay on a service pipe, and left the excavation open without any protection around it. The result was that four or five people stepped into it on coming out of church on Sunday night in the dark and among them was a lad, who was severely bruised. The individual who thus jeopardised the limbs of Her Majesty’s devout subjects should know that he has by this neglectful conduct, incurred a penalty under the Ryde Improvement Act.

Oct 12th 1861: PIER ATTRACTION – The Band of the 2nd Royal Irish played on the spacious pier-head on Saturday last, and enlivened a numerous and fashionable company.

Oct 12th 1861: SERIOUS ACCIDENT – On Wednesday last as a gentleman and lady were taking equestrian exercise, the horse on which the gentleman was riding took fright, it is supposed at Sir James CALDWELL’s carriage, in High-street and bounding on the pavement, threw him against the wall of Messrs, DASHWOOD’s workshop. The gentleman was immediately conveyed to his residence at Puckpool in Sir James CALDWELL’s carriage.

Oct 12th 1861: MEETING – The friends and advocates of the cause of temperance enjoyed themselves in their usual manner on Wednesday evening last, the 10th inst., by holding a tea meeting at the College, Brunswick-place. After the empties were cleared away the brethren were addressed by Mr. C. DIMMICK (chairman). The proceedings were enlivened by the Band of Hope drum and fife band.

Oct 12th 1861: TOWN AMUSEMENTS – The battalion band of the Isle of Wight Rifle Volunteers marched out on Tuesday evening through the principal streets, followed by a crowd of persons, and again on Thursday evening. These “turn outs” will make the band highly popular, and doubtlessly send people’s hands into their pockets, with a view to give the band the support so well merited.