Isle of Wight news from 1960s from sublime to the ridiculous

These quirky entries are from the early 1960s.

Naming a place Hassells on an Island full of rural accents was tempting fate, and in October 1960, dropped aitches led to a name change at Pan.

Tongue in cheek, the County Press reported: “Following a petition signed by all the residents of Hassells, on Pan Estate, Newport, the name is to be changed to Downs View.”

A compilation of adverts taken from the County Press in the early sixties, showing all too clearly how it was the decade when Britain changed. (Image: County Press)

Outside the Duke of York pub in Cowes was an underground toilet some older readers may remember.

Above ground was an area of thick glass tiles set into the pavement which then became the ceiling once down in the toilet.

While it was an object of fascination to local boys, Cowes Council did not approve.

In October 1960, the County Press reported: “A plan to close the underground public conveniences at Mill Hill Road, Cowes, was favoured by councillors.

“The toilet was described as a noisome spot, and a monstrosity.”

The toilets were closed and filled in in 1962.

In May that year, a tomato plant made the news: “A single plant, 6ft 6 high, grown by Mr Brown of Binstead Nurseries, yielded 83lb of tomatoes.”

Cinema attendance plummeted nationwide following the arrival of television in the 1950s.

In September 1962, Island closures began: “Four cinemas will close next Saturday, the Regent, Freshwater; the Rex, Ventnor; the Queens, Sandown, and the Scala, Ryde, leaving the Commodore, Ryde, the Medina and Savoy, Newport, the Regal, Shanklin, and the Rivoli, Sandown.”

This is Mill Hill Road, Cowes, at its junction with Birmingham Road, seen in November 1961. On the left is the entrance to the underground toilets. It is said, with no proof, that the toilets occupied the 1886 test borings for the Cowes to East Cowes tunnel – but that’s another story. (Image: County Press)

It was obviously a quiet news week in October 1962: “A bulge the size of a cricket ball which developed in the tarmac in Weston Road, Totland Bay, was caused by a growing mushroom which finally forced its way through on Monday.”

It was just as quiet in November 1962: “Two sailors who found 6s. 3d. in the coin box in the telephone kiosk near the Freemasons Hotel, Ventnor, left the money with the licensee (Mr G. Burton) to be claimed.”

In February of 1964, Mrs. G. Bailey of Ryde was not happy with what she saw at Newport Market.

She wrote to the editor: “I wish to show my disapproval of the way pigs are marked in Newport Market.

“Two relatives were with me there on February 10, and we were disgusted with the way the pigs were treated.

“I know pigs squeal a lot, but I am sure these were being hurt.

“The holes punched in their ears were as big as sixpences and the amount of blood over the pigs and on the ground was terrible.

“Surely there is a more humane way of marking these creatures. It is not a very pleasant sight for children.”

In August 1964, another correspondent, Mr Pritchard of London, was also not happy: “I would like to draw attention to the Brading Roman Villa, which my wife and I visited while on holiday.

“We have never been so disappointed at seeing an ancient monument so neglected.

“After spending three hours to find it, we eventually came across a collection of rusty tin huts overgrown with weeds.

“We were greeted by an attendant who said three shillings, with no please or thank you.

“What conclusion we were supposed to draw from exhibits labelled Animal Bones, Tiles, Charred Wood, and so forth, we cannot imagine.

“The cases were thick with dust and the whole place was depressing. This view was shared by several people we met outside.”

By 1965, the genie of sexual liberation had begun to pop out of the bottle. On the Island, efforts were made to put the cork back in.

Under the headline Book Banned at Sandown, the County Press reported: “Sandown-Shanklin's Public Library Committee decided on Monday to withdraw the book A Singular Man, by J.P. Donleavy, from the libraries in both towns.

“Mr Willcox (clerk) read a letter of complaint in which Mrs Longmate, of Shanklin, described the book as unsuitable for young people.

“Mr. Holmes (chairman), who had read the book, said if this one was withdrawn the committee would have to take 75 per cent of the books off the shelves.

“Mr Barber (vice-chairman) disagreed, describing the book as a series of descriptions of sexual behaviour.

“Miss Wright (librarian) said there had been a good demand for the book, mainly from the “young moderns. It was agreed to remove the book.”

And finally, in September 1965, Island Notes reported: “East Cowes Man Swallows Domino — Michael Dennis, 28, a ship’s plater, was the victim of an unusual mishap in the Victoria Tavern, East Cowes, on Saturday.

He knew that the 6-1 domino had dropped into his pint of mild ale but when he drank up, he inadvertently swallowed the domino.

“He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, where following an X-ray, the domino was retrieved by a surgeon who inserted a tube down his throat.”

On that note, we’ll say cheers.