100 Years Ago - July 21, 1912
THE government’s new police inspector praised the Island force.
Following an inspection of all IW police stations, chief constable Leonard Dunning said he was very satisfied.
During the inspection, he also presented officers with coronation medals.
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A gipsy was fined for trampling over grass and damaging a hedge.
Kate Lee, of Newport, was charged with wilful damage to growing grass after she entered a field to pick wild roses.
The owner of the field, William Dove, said it was a great nuisance.
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Island teachers gathered for a physical education lecture organised by the Board of Education.
The aim was to demonstrate the latest physical education syllabus, as part of an initiative by the board to improve the health of children in Island schools.
75 Years Ago - July 24, 1937
Cut off by the incoming tide at Culver, a mum and her two daughters burned newspaper to attract attention.
Mrs Sarzano and her children, Gladys and Rita, were rescued by army launches after crews saw the makeshift distress flares from Sandown Pier.
The army were engaged in night firing practice.
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A picturesque home in Alverstone Garden Village was gutted by fire.
The owners of the property, Mr and Mrs Stowell, were woken at 1am, to find the kitchen alight.
Mr Stowell attempted to tackle the fire with buckets of water but it proved in vain.
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There was to be no prison camp for convicts on the Island.
Islanders were led to believe the prison commission-ers were considering creating a camp for convicts on the south coast and favoured the Island as the location.
However, it was later discovered there were no such plans.
50 Years Ago - July 21, 1962
A petition signed by 500 Wootton residents opposing holiday camp development was labelled a "sheer waste of time".
The petition, created by the Wootton and Fairlee Ratepayers’ Association, opposed plans to increase holiday camp development in the area.
However, speaking during a meeting of the county planning committee at County Hall, Cllr Cantopher said it was a sheer waste of time.
Members of the association were asked to leave the meeting.
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Thousands of spectators lined the seafront at Cowes to watch the start of the Island Sailing Club’s annual Round the Island race.
A record 276 yachts gathered in the harbour for the race but with virtually no wind, they could only limp over the start line.
However, the conditions improved and the five-ton sloop, Fenya, won the race ahead of 223 finishers.
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Test runs for a hovercraft service from Ryde to Southsea were planned.
Westland Aircraft proposed to run an experimental passenger service using its SRN 2 vessel.
Talks were under way with the councils concerned.
25 Years Ago - July 24, 1987
Organisers of the Royal IW Agricultural Society’s 89th annual show were speculating why visitor numbers were down by more than 10,000.
Two theories were being explored — either the bad weather forecast put people off or it was due to an apparent slump in the number of holidaymakers.
The society was to discuss moving the show to a weekend to boost attendance.
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A high-class development of apartments aimed at yachtsmen on the site of the Gloster Hotel, Cowes, was likely to be ready for the 1989 sailing season.
The £3.5 million scheme involved demolition of the hotel at the Parade and the development of 12 apartments, with a restaurant, kitchen and conference and bar facilities.
Prices were expected to be in excess of £200,000.
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Controversial multi-million proposals for a business and retail park at Ryde’s Westridge Leisure Centre were discussed.
The IW Development Board said the hi-tech business park was desperately important to the Island economy but Medina planners were told it would devastate the town centre.
Councillors were urged to look round the site before making a decision.
10 Years Ago - July 19, 2002
Around 1,000 council workers went on strike, bringing many services to a halt.
Schools were shut, 11 libraries closed and social services were severely affected by the one-day strike.
IW members of Unison backed calls for further action, unless their battle over pay improved.
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A party of 45 schoolgirls, from a deprived area of London, were thrown out of their hotel, amid claims their behaviour was like a scene from St Trinian’s.
Police were called to the Duncroft Family Hotel, Shanklin, after owner Marie Hood said the girls, aged 13 and 14, were out of control, had been smoking and had damaged furniture.