September 1975
Isle of Wight County Press:
Sept 6th 1975: STYLISH RYDE – Ryde’s carnival week ended in great style and a splash of colour with a record-breaking illuminated procession on Saturday. Crowds thronged the streets for the last carnival event of the year. There were threatening clouds in the afternoon, which brought back memories of last year’s disastrous illuminated procession when the streets were cleared by torrential rain. But this year the clouds rolled back and the evening remained fine.
Sept 6th 1975: ROYAL CHAPEL DEBUT – The choir of Ryde Parish Church under the direction of their organist and choirmaster, John LEA, sang evensong at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 500th year of the chapel on Saturday. They were invited to do so by the Dean of Windsor, the Very Rev. Lancelot FLEMING. Three coach-loads of parishioners travelled with the choir for the occasion.
Sept 13th 1975: RAILWAY BLAZE – A British Rail carriage on a siding at Ryde St. John’s station near St. John’s Road bridge, was damaged by fire on Monday night. The alarm was raised by a passer-by, and two Ryde fire crews fought the blaze which they had under control in 15 minutes. The former London Underground train had been on the siding for about a week. A short time ago vandals damaged a train standing on the same siding.
Sept 13th 1975: OLD FOLK’S FLATS – An £111,000 enterprise begun by the old Ryde Town Council and developed by Medina Borough Council came to a successful completion when Mr A. T. DRUDGE, mayor of Medina, officially opened Garfield House, in the centre of Ryde. Garfield House combines 14 flats—all except four on the top floor, for elderly people—with a Women’s Royal Voluntary Service Day-centre for the disabled, and parking for 42 cars.
Sept 13th 1975: FREEHOLD – Medina Borough Council have been asked if they are interested in acquiring the freehold of Binstead recreation ground for which £20 a year is paid by the council. The council’s Amenities Committee agreed that the chief executive should be asked to investigate. The lease expires in 1980.
Sept 13th 1975: TRAFFIC PLAN DOUBTS – Ryde group of the IW Society, at their meeting recently were in general agreement that the forthcoming traffic quiet zone in Ryde’s High Street area was unsatisfactory. With regard to the proposed Westridge Centre development at Ryde Airport, Mr. B. CUTTER, chairman, urged members to continue to consider the matter seriously.
Sept 13th 1975: SHIP’S VISIT TO RYDE – A hurriedly organised visit to Ryde of the minesweeper “HMS Mersey” proved a huge success. The courtesy visit of the 425-ton Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve ship had gone off without a hitch. The ship was moored at number four berth at Ryde pier and members of the public were able to look round it on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday evening a party was held on board. After the visit to Ryde the 125ft minesweeper sailed to Dover and Cherbourg on exercises.
Sept 13th 1975: THEFT – Ryde Police were this week investigating the theft of 760ft of copper piping and a 50-gallon copper tank, together valued at £200, from the nearly completed nursery unit at St. John’s Primary School, Ryde.
Sept 20th 1975: NUNS RECORDING HABIT – Nuns at St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, have gone into the recording business. They have produced an LP, called Jubilate Deo, and in the seven months since it was released, more than 2,000 copies have been sold all over the country and abroad. Fifteen of the Benedictine nuns at the abbey recorded the LP in the abbey church in a day-long recording session in October last year. There are 26 tracks on the record, which is priced at £2.50. Profits go to abbey funds.
Sept 20th 1975: SEA CADETS – The ship’s company of TS Royal Ryde unit Sea Cadet Corps, and their Player Street headquarters received a thorough inspection on Tuesday by an officer representing the Admiralty. Commander D. BAMFORD, RN, Area Officer (Southern) Sea Cadet Corps, praised the high standard of dress and bearing of the 42 cadets on parade.