100 years ago

August 3, 1918

A CHILDREN’S pageant was held in Cowes in aid of the orphans of service men.

In the grounds of Northwood House, a very large attendance admired an array of charming pictures of young life through the ages.

The show was opened by Lady Baring, who was introduced by the Rev Miles C. Berkeley and given a bouquet of pink carnations.

75 years ago

July 31, 1943

Lt Gerald Jones, an Island man who had been captured in the war, described his journey in a letter to his parents.

The letter, which had taken five months to arrive, said he and others were marched 15 miles to Tunis with no food after they were captured. They were flown to Sicily before taking a boat across to mainland Italy, then up to the camp from where he was writing.

50 years ago

July 27, 1968

One hundred years after Queen Victoria incorporated the Borough of Ryde, the Admiral of the Fleet, Earl Mountbatten of Burma, was the guest of honour at the town hall’s banquet.

The centenary was also marked by an exhibition at the hall, a variety of social and sporting activities and a civic church parade.

25 years ago

July 30, 1993

Hard drugs were found during a search at Parkhurst, which was sparked by two drug overdoses in the prison in the past fortnight.

Prison governor John Marriott said his staff were taking measures to stamp out the trend, following the discovery of heroin.

A number of prisoners were put in isolation and Mr Marriott appealed directly to the inmates to create a drug-free environment for the sake of everyone.

10 years ago

August 1, 2008

Traders spoke of their fury at council plans to corral Cowes Week revellers into ‘pens’ either side of the Medina after firework night.

The scheme, aimed at controlling the numbers boarding the floating bridge, was branded excessive and demeaning. Shops claimed they would lose business because of a pedestrian diversion and town councillors were angry they were not consulted.