September 1976
Isle of Wight County Press
Sep 4th 1976: PAINTINGS ON SHOW – A father and his son and daughter-in-law are the artists whose work is featured at an exhibition at the Ryde Gallery, George Street public library, Ryde. Brian PUTTOCK, who teaches art at the IW College of Arts and Technology, in his pictures investigates relationships between objects and spaces.
Sep 4th 1976: DEEP FREEZER – Ryde and District Round Table presented a deep freezer to Easthill Home for the Deaf, Ashey Road, Ryde, on Tuesday. The freezer was bought with half of the proceeds of the Tablers 1976 sponsored bed push from the Town Hall, Ryde, to Sandown Pier, which raised a total of over £200.
Sep 4th 1976: DROUGHT VICTIM – The Borough of Ryde Garden Show, one of the Island’s leading horticultural exhibitions, has fallen victim of the drought. War years excepted, the unprecedented decision to cancel the show came after much discussion at a committee meeting on Thursday week. The president said he did not see how the show could get anywhere near the usual high standard, because of the continuing dry weather.
Sep 11th 1976: TO BE RESTORED – Conservationists should be delighted that a Ryde resident is to restore to all its 19th century atmosphere the Victoria Hotel, occupying a prominent position on the Western Esplanade. The 20-bedroom hotel, closed for 4 years, has been bought by Miss Jose Wellspring, who is hoping to open it in time for the Christmas season. Miss Wellspring, who is experienced in hotel management, is to restore the Victorian aura, while ensuring a modern quota of comfort.
Sep 11th 1976: STRIKE – The national seamen’s strike should not affect Island ferries, say British Rail and Red Funnel. A spokesman for Sealink said that they did not expect their ferry crews to be involved.
Sep 11th 1976: FLOWER BOXES – The flower boxes provided in an attempt to improve the appearance of the central reservation at Ryde Esplanade have not been a success. Mr. M. OCCORE, technical services manager, reported that people used the gaps to cross the road and flowers had been broken down and the boxes smashed. He suggested that the boxes be removed and the gaps filled with natural stonework.
Sep 11th 1976: PAVILION – Borough Amenities Committee were told at a meeting on Tuesday, that the loss for the season of the Show of Shows 76 and other entertainment in the pavilion was expected to approach £12,500. Mr. CAWDELL said it was the second year running that there had been bad houses. It was suggested they should look into the possibility of family entertainment with cabaret two or three nights a week.
Sep 11th 1976: CARNIVAL PROCESSION – On the Carnival Association’s novel Queen Bee float, with a wooden hive and flowers both real and wooden, the place of honour was given to junior carnival queen Sharon WEST and her maids of honour, Helen SCOVELL and Melanie HARRIS. The junior carnival queen distributed the prizes.
Sep 11th 1976: AWARDS FOR SWIMMERS – About 300 people gathered at Ryde Esplanade bathing pools on Friday week to see 150 swimming awards presented. Swimming Teacher Association awards were presented to junior swimmers, ranging from beginners at 10 metres, up to 400 metres, according to age and proficiency. The remainder were of Royal Life Saving Society awards for water safety, intermediate life-saving, bronze medallions and awards of merit.
Sep 18th 1976: END TO FREE PARKING – Medina Borough Council decided to introduce charges at the free car parks at Cowes, Newport, and George Street, Ryde, also to include the Lind Place, Ryde, car park after fears were expressed that as it was right next to Ryde Town Hall, its retention as a free park might lead to the public thinking the council was “looking after number one.”