October 1969
Isle of Wight Times:
Oct 2nd 1969: MINI FETE – Four Ryde children staged a “mini-fete” to raise money for toys for the children’s ward of the Royal I.W. County Hospital. Last year the children got together on a similar project and gave the money to nearby St. Michael’s Church. This time the fete raised £5.8s.
Oct 2nd 1969: WOMEN’S INSTITUTE – A slimmer’s idea of heaven was on display before Haylands W.I. at St. Michael’s Church Hall, for the first meeting after the summer recess. It was the result of an afternoon’s cooking demonstration by Miss S. E. PARKER, of S.E.B.
Oct 2nd 1969: TREES IN DANGER – Application had been made to fell 60 trees at Woodlands Vale, on the outskirts of the town in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Public Works Committee opinion was sought. The Borough Surveyor said “we really don’t know enough about this, we should ask for more information. The was unanimously agreed after he added: “After all, when a person becomes mature you don’t just cut him down—-the same should apply to trees.”
Oct 2nd 1969: ELECTORS’ REGISTER – With the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years householders in England and Wales who are now receiving the form headed “Register of Electors, 1970” should ensure that the names of those born on or before February 15, 1953, are entered on the form.
Oct 2nd 1969: GIRLS’ CLUB – The rooms attached to Holy Trinity Church are alive with activity, especially on Tuesday evenings, as the winter programme gets under way. A Girls’ Club met for the first time, with Miss Thelma YOUNG as leader, this caters for the 10-16 age group. Its male counterpart meets in another part of the building under the leadership of Mr. Geoffrey HENNING.
Oct 9th 1969: LANGUAGE OF THEIR OWN – The initial teaching alphabet, a controversial new system of teaching children to read, has been adopted by St. John’s County Primary School, the first in the Ryde area to do so. With unity of vision and sound the eye sees in a word pattern what the ear hears. I.T.A. has been given wide publicity recently. Invented by Sir James PITMAN, grandson of Isaac PITMAN of shorthand fame.
Oct 9th 1969: METRIC SYSTEM – Three out of every four people know that Britain is making the change to metric though very few know that 1975 is the target date for it to be complete. Most people are conversant with the kilometre but those who are, only three out of four know that it is shorter than the mile.
Oct 9th 1969: NO MORE RUSHING WHEN THE BELL SOUNDS – After 34 years with the Fire Service, Ryde Station Officer Mr. Leonard WILLIAMS, of Osborne Road has retired. The job stays in the family though—Len’s brother Donald took over on October 1. Mr. WILLIAMS recalls that Mr. Harry JOLLIFFE was chief officer when he joined, and fighting fires in those days was very different. The first major fire Mr. WILLIAMS was called to help tackle was at the “I.W. Times” office in 1936.
Oct 9th 1969: FAMOUS ARTIST – The Wight Locomotive Society, the Islands’ railway preservation organisation, held its second annual meeting when 50 of the 270 members were present. It was also attended by Mr. David SHEPHERD, the artist famous for his paintings of wild life and railway engines. Mr. SHEPHERD, who owns two locomotives himself, recently became president of the Society.
Oct 9th 1969: COTTAGE – A recommendation that freehold interest of Middle Lodge, a stone-built cottage in Appley Park be offered to Mr. M. W. OAKHAM, of Green Street, Ryde, has been accepted. His offer of £2,500 was the second highest received, but Mr. OAKHAM offered to look after Appley Park against vandals at night time, on a voluntary basis.
Oct 9th 1969: AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE – Now after a season without trams on Ryde Pier, the Council is convinced that the electric trains do not do the job as well and the Transport Users’ Committee has been told so.