Balfour (1843 – 1916) was an English businessman, Liberal politician, and fraudster. According to the Daily Telegraph, “Jabez Spencer Balfour JP, MP was probably the greatest financial fraudster in British history, an embezzler on a Melmottian scale dwarfing the far lesser con-tricks of Trebitsch-Lincoln, Horatio Bottomley, Robert Maxwell and Jeffrey Archer combined.”

WINNA DINNER DRAW! Historic Ryde Society announces its Christmas Raffle, when you can win a meal for two. The draw will take place on Saturday 31st December at Noon by the Town Crier in Minghella Square, Ryde. Tickets, only £1 each, are for sale at the Ryde District Heritage Centre, Royal Victoria Arcade, Union Street.

Herewith our Autumn Issue of Arcadia: Arcadia Autumn 2016 More editions here.

September’s talk was a hugely enjoyable occasion with Ray Allen, creator of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em.  An audience of 70 was almost rolling in the aisles, hearing of Ray’s many mishaps and tales of woe trying to get S M D ‘A ‘E taken up by broadcasters.  It is to be hoped that both the Society and Yelf’s Hotel remain in business, as Ray’s track record of putting the kiss of death on his previous places of employment is somewhat worrying. Thanks to David and his team for the organisation of the event, Yelf’s for allowing free use of the room, and special thanks to Ray for waiving his ‘appearance fee’, thus enabling the whole of the magnificent total of £334 from ticket sales and the raffle to go towards the ongoing work in the Centre.

Herewith our Fifth Anniversary Summer Issue of Arcadia:   Arcadia Summer 2016 More editions here.