September 1921
Isle of Wight Observer:
Sept 3rd 1921: EX-SERVICE MEN – It is interesting to note that Mrs KNOWLES, of Cumberland House, St. Thomas’s Street employs an entire staff of ex-service men and speaks very highly of them. She hopes this notice will induce others to help the large number of unemployed.
Sept 3rd 1921: BICYCLE ACCIDENT – A lad named HOWARTH residing in High-street, had a narrow escape from a serious accident on Sunday afternoon. While cycling down High-street, the blocks of his brakes gave out, and in taking the corner leading to St. Thomas’s-street, he came in contact with the iron fence at the entrance to the Western Esplanade. The rider was thrown to the ground, but suffered no more than a grazed face.
Sept 3rd 1921: A REMINDER – People were reminded in Ryde on Wednesday that the end of the great War came to an end officially at midnight, this being decided by an Order in Council issued on Aug. 10 and to celebrate it in some measure there was a fancy dress dance at the Town Hall and the balconies of the Royal Squadron Hotel in Union-street were illuminated. The public evidently were not in a mood for another armistice.
Sept 3rd 1921: THE CENSUS – The official census returns show an increase in the population so far as Ryde is concerned of 687 over the figures of the year 1911 and as in other parts of the country there is a preponderance of females over males. The 1921 figures for Ryde are – total population of 11295, males 4570, females 6725.
Sept 10th 1921: BENEFIT – One of the remaining benefits but by no means the least is that at the Pier Pavilion on Tuesday evening next, the 13th to the popular stage manager and entertainer, Mr. Norman HILL and Miss Hebe SIMPSON, the clever violinist and vocalist, both prime favourites of “The Burlesques.” The ever-welcome Edwin STYLES will assist in the programme also Miss Nina CRISPIN, a leading London Contralto, and a Marionette drama will be amongst the attractions.
Sept 10th 1921: JUVENILE REGATTA – Beautiful weather again favoured the Ryde Juvenile Regatta which was held at the Canoe Lake where a large number assembled in the enclosure and on the banks. There were over 200 entries which was a record and the events were well contested and caused the usual excitement and amusement.
Sept 17th 1921: SWIMMERS – At the annual swimming championships of the County Elementary Schools when for the first time under the new regime the Ryde schools were qualified to compete and with the happiest results. The honours for the girls going to Ryde. Ten teams took part in the girls’ 40 yards competition, which was carried off by the Ryde Upper Mixed.
Sept 17th 1921: NEW SHOP FRONT – A plan of a new shop front at 34 High-street for the World’s Stores Ltd., has been approved.
Sept 17th 1921: HURRICANE – A fierce westerly gale amounting almost to a hurricane, occurred at Ryde in the early hours of Monday morning, and though of short duration wrought considerable havoc. The most serious damage was at the Western Pavilion when a terrific rush of wind swept over the Pavilion tearing the canvas awning both outer and inner into shreds, bending one of the principal supports and bringing down scaffold poles.
Sept 24th 1921: STEEPLEJACK AT WORK – During the past week some interesting work has taken place at the spire of All Saints Parish Church, Mr. W. LARKINS, the well-known steeplejack of London being engaged to remove dangerous pinnacles. A ladder runs up the whole length of one side and ropes on the other, and the steeplejack goes about his work with great dexterity. The high wind did not deter him in the least. A few years ago the church spire was repaired by Mr LARKINS father who subsequently met with a fatal accident whilst repairing a factory chimney.