October 1961

Isle of Wight Times

Oct 12th 1961: CLOCK – To some the chiming and striking of the Town Hall clock at Ryde is a friendly sound—but not to everyone. Recently four visitors who stayed nearby had disturbed nights through the familiar chimes. They wrote to the council complaining and suggested that the clock be “gagged” after dark by suspending the nightime chimes. The council decided at their monthly meeting not to “gag” the clock at night.

Oct 12th 1961: ATTRACTIONS – Ryde’s income from corporation sea front attractions during the past season showed an encouraging increase of more than £1,000, the Parks and Entertainments committee said the income totalled £20,441.

Oct 12th 1961: GARDEN SHOW – Ryde borough gardeners were praised by the Mayor, Cllr. Edgar CASTLE, for their “wonderful” stage display which won a gold medal at last week’s annual Borough Garden Show. A tribute went to Mr. Frank SCOVELL, the head gardener, and his staff, that this time they had excelled themselves.

Oct 12th 1961: NO LIGHTS – Application is being made by Ryde Council for police permission to specify areas of the High-street and George-street as being suitable for parking without lights at night. If approved, the scheme will allow for parking without lights until midnight (when street lighting is switched off).

Oct 19th 1961: OLD AND YOUNG – Children of Caversham House School were welcome visitors to the W.V.S. Darby & Joan Club on Thursday. As usual they brought their harvest festival offerings and 110 parcels of groceries, fruit and vegetables were distributed to club members. Children sang their festival hymn and the Darbys and Joans joined in “We Plough The Fields and Scatter.”

Oct 19th 1961: BUSINESS SOLD – Mr. Jack WYATT, of Jack’s Beauty Shop, Union-street, this week sold his Southsea business to Robert FIELDING of London. His Ryde business–a 60 seater now–is to be extended this winter to accommodate another dozen clients. Tomorrow Mr. and Mrs. WYATT begin a three week’s cruise to the West Indies for a holiday.

Oct 19th 1961: RYDE ON TV – Mr. Joe HILL, Southern Television’s “Come Gardening” host who opened the recent Borough of Ryde Garden Show, introduced a film report of the event on his weekly programme on Sunday afternoon. Interviews with the Mayor of Ryde, Clr. Edgar CASTLE, show president, and Mrs. W. RAMAGE, the hon. secretary, were seen.

Oct 26th 1961: LICENCES – In a normal week, three new television licenses and three sound radio licenses are taken out in the Ryde postal area. After the recent Post Office detector van comb of the district, however, 87 new TV licenses and 41 wireless passed over Post Office counters.

Oct 26th 1961: SCALA CINEMA – Elvis is in trouble, he is accused of killing his brother in “Wild In The Country” which begins a three-day run today. His difficulties in living down the accusation and bearing the hate of his father form the theme. Nevertheless, sad or not, he still sings.

Oct 26th 1961: COMPLAINT – The bus boys named us “Cripples Creek” in Haylands, and can you wonder with the broken paths one has to contend with in the village. Now, with recent patching up the path, one resident suggests we should be called “The Patchwork Quilt.” For years we have been promised a widening of the road, but every year it is the same old tale– “There isn’t enough money.”

Oct 26th 1961: INDUSTRIES FAIR – All 170 stands for next year’s Island Industries Fair at Ryde have been fully booked. The Fair will again be held at Puckpool and St. Clare Holday Camps from April 9 to 14, there will be 10 more stands than last year’s initial display.

Oct 26th 1961: FLOODED – Sixty miles an hour winds, coupled with a 13ft. 6ins. high tide and pouring rain, flooded many Ryde sea front properties on Tuesday. As usual the Strand and St. Thomas’s-street basement properties were badly affected and both corporation men and the fire brigade were busy throughout the day on pumping-out operations.