100 Years Ago - February 3, 1912
A foreign warship seen approaching the Needles Battery with a crew member taking photographs caused alarm to coastguards.
The ship was identified as the German cruiser, Panther, which came dangerously close to the shore as it passed through the Needles Channel.
A coastguard saw someone taking photographs from the bridge but it was decided little information could be obtained from any picture.
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Four military officers narrowly escaped serious injury in a car crash in Carisbrooke.
The car swerved to avoid a boy cyclist in the middle of the road at Alvington Hill. It skidded and landed on an embankment. The occupants suffered cuts and bruises.
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An Island man’s wheat-growing talents were recognised in the USA.
Seager Wheeler won the $1,000 prize at the New York Agricultural Show for the best wheat grown on the American continent.
Mr Wheeler, originally from Ventnor, was praised for his excellent wheat by another Islander, George Allen, who had recently moved to Canada.
75 Years Ago - February 6, 1937
A large crowd gathered outside Newport Fire Station after the alarm was sounded.
The call was from the Hare and Hounds pub, Downend, after fire broke out in an outhouse.
The son of the owner started up the petrol engine of the dynamo, which helped supply electricity to the main building, but it backfired and burst into flames.
The blaze was under control when firemen arrived.
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Six people were injured, two seriously, in a collision involving three cars, near Arreton.
The accident involved two vehicles heading to Newport and another coming in the opposite direction, which skidded in pouring rain.
Members of the public stopped to help the injured and took them to hospital as no ambulances were available. Two women suffered leg and head injuries but were said to be making good progress.
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Bembridge Lifeboat was called to help a 7,000-ton vessel near Niton.
The cargo and passenger steamer, De Lambre, asked for help from a doctor after one of its crew injured himself badly.
The boat, bound to South America from London, met storms in The Channel. A seaman broke his leg and arm after being thrown against a door.
The man was taken ashore and transferred to hospital.
50 Years Ago - February 3, 1962
THERE were new ideas for relieving traffic congestion in Sandown High Street in summer.
The proposals followed a discussion by local residents and business owners, who had become fed up with the delays.
Several ideas were put forward, including restrictions on loading times, waiting restrictions and extra parking spaces.
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Love Lane County Infants School, Cowes, had to be closed for a day after intruders caused a trail of destruction.
The damage was discovered by kitchen staff when they arrived for duty.
Water had poured from the cloakroom, along the corridor and into the classroom, ruining books and paintings.
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A man working on the Island pleaded guilty to stealing 16 electric shavers, valued at £142, during his three-month stay.
The man was working as a storeman and smuggled the shavers out in twos and threes in a lunch box.
He sent one to his friend and tried selling the others for £3. His was fined £20.
25 Years Ago - February 6, 1987
Shanklin’s Victorian Pier was set to become a £4 million entertainment and conference complex, linked to a major Esplanade scheme.
The plans were unveiled at a meeting at Shanklin Theatre and included the pier development and the transformation of the Spa car park.
Developers said the proposals could turn the area into one of the south’s biggest and most attractive tourist destinations.
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As 40 firemen battled a fierce blaze at a fruit and vegetable warehouse on Rookley Industrial Estate, one fell from a ladder, injuring himself.
The retained firefighter from Cowes station was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, with cuts and bruises to his chest, knees and face.
Despite the efforts of the firemen, the warehouse was reduced to a shell and its contents destroyed.
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The largest foreign coastal ship to have been handled at Newport Harbour docked there for two days.
The Lindholm, a 172ft Danish-registered coaster, sailed to the Island from Belgium, carrying 485 tons of fertiliser.
Harbourmaster Wayne Pritchett said: "It’s very encouraging to see a vessel of this magnitude coming up the harbour."
10 Years Ago - February 8, 2002
The long-held dream of establishing a permanent commercial air link between the Island and the Channel Islands took a step closer to reality.
A 15-year agreement was signed to safeguard the future of Bembridge Airport, leading to investment in better facilities to attract increased commercial use.
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Silly hats were worn and party games played at a special event to celebrate the birthday of Lord Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement.
Around 100 six to eight year olds from the West Wight district beavers held at party at Nine Acres Primary School, Newport.