100 years ago

September 28, 1918

HER Royal Highness Princess Beatrice visited an East Cowes art gallery in aid of the Church Army War Hut.

The Princess was received by Eleanor Viscountess Gort and Colonel Benson who explained the magnificent war work of the Church Army.

Rev. Richardson noted it was not the first time HRH had visited the Church Army and thanked her for her support.

***

The County Press reported that there was more justification than ever for optimism regarding the military position of the Allies.

The West Marshal Foch, after two months of unceasing progress, held the keys of cumulative, irreversible victory.

Recent Eastern victories in Serbia and the Balkans had contributed to the optimistic view.

75 years ago

September 25, 1943

A double-fronted thatched cottage at The Green, Calbourne, was badly damaged by a fire.

An outbreak was first noticed at the cottage, owned by the village blacksmith, Mr E. Downer, by neighbours.

The occupiers and neighbours swiftly tackled the blaze with a stirrup pump. It was extinguished by the time the fire service arrived.

***

On his warmly welcomed return to England, Prime Minister Winston Churchill reported months of unbroken success for the Allies.

He then warned that the bloodiest part of the war was yet to come, but that the Allies could stand a strain under which the enemy would crack.

The County Press reported that the Island had made significant contributions to the war fund.

50 years ago

September 21, 1968

A new use for Newport Guildhall was announced. For centuries, the building was used as the civic centre of the ancient borough.

The well known landmark, steeped in history and tradition, turned into a central law court for the Island's justice system.

The Rt Hon Lord Denning, P.C. Master of the Rolls, performed the official opening ceremony.

***

Work was due to commence on what was described as the most ambitious project undertaken by an Island parish council.

Freshwater Parish Council were set to transform 60 wasteland acres of scrub and brambles into an attractive natural public park.

The project to reform Golden Hill, which had a gaunt appearance far away from a natural public park, was planned to cost £750.

25 years ago

September 24, 1993

Medina Borough councillors recommended that all shops be allowed to open on Sundays.

Members of the environmental services committee narrowly voted for a total de-regulation of Sunday trading, which would permit all shops to open on the Sabbath.

Council leader Mr Fletcher said: "We all know the present law on Sunday trading is an ass — it is unworkable and unenforceable."

***

The future of three loss-making theatres was assured when councillors agreed to transfer the management of Sandown Pavilion and Shanklin Theatre to a new company.

Silver Fox Wrightston Productions took over the two theatres the same month the tourism and leisure activities committee agreed to lease the Ventnor Winter Gardens to the town council.

It was revealed that the three theatres together faced total losses of more than £250,000.

10 years ago

September 26, 2008

A family ran for their lives from a burning car which exploded and was totally engulfed in flames just seconds later.

Driver Terry Parkman shouted to family members, including his pregnant partner, Helen Taylor, to get our the car after hearing loud bangs followed by flames shooting from under the dashboard.

The couple grabbed their niece and Helen's mother from the backseat and sprinted away from the burning vehicle on the roundabout by Tesco in Ryde.

***

Rescued Island pooch, Pip, was in line to be declared the nation's top dog.

The ten-year-old Jack Russell from Newport was nominated to win the RSPCA's Dog of the Year award.

Black and white Pip was left at Godsill's RSPCA Animal Centre when is owner died, before he was spotted by Margaret Crimmins who had lost her own dog, Rusty, the year before.

Picture: Rescue dog Pip with his new owner, Margaret Crimmins. 0908-p31791