October 1975
Isle of Wight County Press:
Oct 4th 1975: NURSERY CLASS – The first purpose-built nursery class unit in the Island opened its doors to 20 children on Monday at Ryde St. John’s County Primary School, the 40-space unit, which can accommodate 80 children each day, has cost about £21,500. By next Wednesday a total of 48 children will be attending the class—24 in the morning and 24 different children in the afternoon. Each session lasts two-and-a-half hours and children can attend from the age of three.
Oct 4th 1975: LUCKY THIRTEEN – Thirteen Island artists have combined for the October exhibition at Ryde Gallery. Apart from club competitions, it is the first time that such a large number have shown their work together there. They were brought together by Mr. Arthur MARJERAM, of Ryde, himself one of the exhibitors, and they are all experienced artists who have been showing for many years. In selecting the 86 paintings a balance has been struck between still life’s, flower studies, landscapes and marine subjects.
Oct 4th 1975: STEAM CENTRE – More than 1,000 school children visited the IW Steam Railway Centre at Havenstreet last week. They arrived on two days, and, for the first time, schools in the Portsmouth area were circularised. The children visited the railway museum, and inspected the five locomotives and diverse rolling stock, but their greatest pleasure was in travelling in the three London, Brighton and South Coast Railway bogie coaches along the 1⅓ miles of track to Wootton and back.
Oct 4th 1975: OUTSTANDING – Fruit classes and chrysanthemums were outstanding at Ryde Garden Show, at the Town Hall on Wednesday and Thursday last week. The abundance of top-quality plants helped to make the exhibition one of the most colourful and attractive of recent years. Total entries reached about 650.
Oct 4th 1975: THEY RESPECT BRITAIN – Mr. Stephen ROSS, MP, opening a Michaelmas fair at Ryde High School on Saturday, said that despite our economic difficulties Britain was greatly respected by most communities of the world. Ryde unit of the Sea Cadet Corps provided a guard of honour for Mr. ROSS, and demonstrated silent drill.
Oct 11th 1975: CLEAN-UP – Reports that the Royal George memorial plaque in Ashley Gardens, Ryde, had been stolen at the weekend proved to be without foundation. The bronze plaque was removed by Medina Borough Council workmen last week for cleaning by a local firm. The plaque was a memorial to the 600 officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who were drowned when George 111’s great battleship foundered in Spithead on August 29, 1782.
Oct 18th 1975: SPITHEAD FORT – A use may at last be found for one of the four deserted forts which straddle Spithead from Bembridge to Portsmouth. A Dorset-based salvage company has applied to Medina Borough Council for permission to turn it into a marine salvage depot and museum. No Man’s Land fort is about 100 years old. With its fellow Spithead forts it was built as part of Lord Palmerston’s plans to protect Portsmouth from the French. The forts did not hear a gun fired in anger.
Oct 25th 1975: VOTED THROUGH – Despite a sharp conflict of opinion the controversial scheme for a “traffic-quiet” precinct in the middle section of Ryde High Street was given the go-ahead by the county roads sub-committee on Tuesday.
Oct 25th 1975: NEW RANGE OF CLOTHES – A fashion show, designed for a new range of clothes, was held at Wetherall Sports Clothes, Union Street, Ryde, on Wednesday week. Items priced between £25 and £70 were modelled by Mrs. J. KNIVETT and Miss J. SEABROOK.
Oct 25th 1975: DIFFERENCE IN FARES – Dear Editor – Living on the outskirts of Ryde, I frequently use the Seaview bus company’s buses from Thornton cross to Ryde Esplanade, and the fare is 4p. but if I return on a number 8 Southern Vectis bus the fare is 9p. How can Southern Vectis justify such a charge and have the audacity to apply for permission to increase their present fares? (name supplied)