October 1976
Isle of Wight County Press
Oct 2nd 1976: CHILDREN’S SAVINGS BANK – More than 130 of Oakfield Primary School’s 200 children deposited money on the first day of the Children’s National Savings Bank there. There was a stream of children eager to deposit their money in the latest school bank opened in the Island. The bank system replaces National Savings Stamps which are being phased out, the system being discontinued at the end of the year.
Oct 2nd 1976: SPONSORED SWIM – More than 60 pupils of Ryde County High School, took part in a sponsored swim at Warner’s Puckpool Holiday Camp in aid of the school minibus appeal. Members of the school staff joined in. The swim was organised by two teachers, Mr. D. TAMCKEN and Mrs. J. DOWNER.
Oct 2nd 1976: SLIDES SHOWN – Guest speaker at a meeting of the Ryde Group of the IW Society was Mr. R. BRINTON, whose talk, illustrated with slides, was entitled “A Victorian Tour of Ryde.” Several of the slides were reproduced from a unique collection of old photographs. A buffet supper was provided for the 100 members and their friends who attended.
Oct 2nd 1976: END OF SEASON FUNCTION – Several hundred people attended this event at the St. Clare Holiday Centre of Warner’s Holidays Limited on Friday week. The Pete COTTON Sound and the Laurie PARKS Band played and there was a cabaret programme.
Oct 9th 1976: LOCO GROUP – Optimism for the future was expressed in a message to the annual meeting of the Wight Locomotive Society from its president Mr. David SHEPHERD, the wildlife artist and steam engine owner. The meeting took place at the Vectis Hall, Ryde. Several coal wagons from Medina Wharf, a Southern Railway parcels van and a Wickham petrol trolley had been acquired. This was the organisation’s tenth year and its fifth year of operating from Havenstreet.
Oct 9th 1976: STEAM ENGINE – The Wight Locomotive Society, which has had a 90-year-old Terrier class steam engine on loan from Butlins since 1973, have bought it for £3500. The historic engine can now look forward to a permanent home on the IW. The engine started life as the “Brighton” of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, and when new was exhibited at the Paris exhibition, where it won a gold medal.
Oct 9th 1976: CLOSE MARGINS – The winter series of evening road races for boys and women staged by Ryde Harriers, opened with the 1⅓ miles nominated time trial at Elmfield, Ryde. An encouraging turnout of 26 boys took the field and some close margins were recorded, the first four finishing with one, two, three, and four seconds adrift respectively.
Oct 23rd 1976: BIG SUCCESS – Despite adverse weather, last week’s Ideal Home Exhibition at the Ponda-Rosa, Ashey, Ryde, was a big success. The additional half-day of opening on Thursday week proved a worthwhile experiment, and is to be repeated next autumn. A large number of exhibitors, in the light of successful business, have already asked to reserve space next year, intending to have stands at both the autumn exhibition and the Home, Garden and Leisure exhibition at the Ponda-Rosa next March.
Oct 23rd 1976: ARCHERY – A breathtakingly exciting event on Sunday completed the programme of long shoots in the Wight Bowmen Club’s shooting list for the year. There was some fierce competition between John BARRON, Buster LEE, John YOUNG, and Terry CATLIN all through the round,
Oct 30th 1976: TRAFALGAR DINNER – Guest of honour at the dinner-dance organised by the TS Royal George unit of the Sea Cadet Corps, Ryde, to commemorate Trafalgar, was Rear Admiral J. L BLACKHAM, CB, DL, chairman of the county council. On arrival Rear Admiral BLACKHAM inspected a guard of honour consisting of sea cadets. Rear Admiral BLACKHAM spoke of the hard work of the unit’s commanding officer, Lieutenant (SCC) Brian WILKINSON, RNR., his staff, the unit, and parents and friends committee. The unit chairman, thanked guests for attending the event, held at Warner’s St. Clare Holiday camp, Ryde, on Friday, and local businesses for donating towards competition prizes.