TWENTY-FIVE years ago: Cultural and trade links between the Island and Russia, which were forged two centuries ago, were revived thanks to a South Wight village community.
The occasion was marked by unveiling the refurbished Hoy Monument, at Chale, which was attended by guest of honour Boris Pankin, ambassador of the then fledgling Russian Federation.
The monument was a tribute to Tsar Alexander I, who visited Britain in 1814 and made a home at The Hermitage in Chale.

100 Years Ago
May 19, 1917


FOLLOWING the initial Gallipoli fiasco, an Island soldier serving on the Helles front wrote an account of the battle for his sister living in Newport.
Rifleman Toogood, wrote: “I had such a terrible experience that I did not expect to be alive now.”
So close were they to the enemy, he compared it to a sprint across Nine Acres field while under the chaos of gunfire and exploding shells.
After being severely wounded he tried to turn back but was forced into a fox hole no more than 120 yards from the Turkish line.
He waited there for nearly four hours until being able to make a break for safety despite having a hole in his lung.

75 Years Ago
May 23, 1942


An aircraft fitter from Brighstone was summoned to court for statements made in connection to the war which were “likely to cause alarm and despondency”.
It was claimed that while drinking in the New Inn, after the fall of Singapore, the defendant had said: “Thank goodness, by the end of the week we shall have the prime minister in a jail cell. That will make an end of this capitalist war.”

50 Years Ago
May 20, 1967


The Black Arrow rocket, which was set to launch a British satellite into orbit from Woomera, left for Paris where it would be on public display at the Paris Air Museum.
Built on the Island by Westland Aircraft, the rocket was loaded onto a military aircraft at Sandown Airport.
Black Arrow was developed as a technological satellite launcher with the primary purpose of space-testing experimental equipment.

25 Years Ago
May 22, 1992


A top-level inquiry was under way after five prisoners dug their way out of adjoining cells and an outer wall at Parkhurst top security prison in an early-hours’ escape bid.
The prisoners, who were serving between nine and 15 years for offences including armed robbery and violence, were recaptured by officers and dog handlers in the prison grounds.
After making a 2ft-diameter hole in the outer wall of their wing, the men lowered themselves to the ground, three floors below, using a makeshift rope.
However, their departure was spotted by security cameras and night patrols.

10 Years Ago
May 18, 2007


The plug was pulled on the Wellow Wind Farm by the company that wanted to build six huge turbines on farmland next to an area of outstanding natural beauty.
The decision was met with jubilant responses from local campaigners, who felt the turbines would spoil the area.