A LOOK BACK IN TIME: the ‘Christian people of Ryde’

A letter to the Isle of Wight Observer of the 29th May 1920 asks the ‘Christian people of Ryde’ to open up their homes to people attending a conference. The editor has something to say about the plea in the ON DIT that (gossip) column.

Another entry in the column is rather intriguing – there is no clue about what the editor was referring to in the rest of the newspaper.

BAPTIST DELEGATES.
To the Editor of the I.W. Observer.

Dear Sir,- May I be allowed, through the medium of your valuable paper, to make an appeal for help to the Christian people of Ryde? The Southern Association of Baptist Churches is holding its annual meeting in Ryde in June and we need over 100 beds for delegates on Monday and Tuesday nights June 7th and 8th. The Vicar of Ryde and other clergy and ministers are kindly helping us, and if any of your numerous readers could offer supper, bed and breakfast for the two days to a delegate we should be very grateful. (Luncheon and Teas are being provided publicly). Names of hosts may be sent to Mr. E. Searle, Monkton Street, or to myself. Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours sincerely
M. LISTER GAUNT.
Vernon Square, Ryde

ON DIT that
100 Baptist delegates to the conference in Ryde next month are wanting free board and lodging.
A good many others would like an arrangement of this kind – if they could get it.
It would be much more convenient if delegates honoured seaside resorts earlier in the year, say in February.

ON DIT that
There is nothing sensational going on next week as many thought there might be.