100 Years Ago
December 23, 1911
A STORM caused a shipping disaster off the Island.
Five bodies, believed to be crew members of the Norwegian steamer, Rap, were found floating off the Back of the Wight.
One body was washed ashore at Niton.
The steamer, seen by St Catherine’s Coastguard as it crashed through the waves in heavy seas, was heading to Dover from Cornwall.
It was carrying 825 tons of broken stone for Kent County Council.
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The Bishop of Portsmouth consecrated a portion of a new burial ground in Wroxall, set apart for members of the Church of England.
A ceremony was held at the burial ground, before the bishop proceeded to St John’s Church, where he dedicated a new clock tower and a new window.
75 Years Ago
December 26, 1936
Plans to build 243 homes in Cowes were given the green light.
Cowes council wanted to build more houses to ease a shortage of homes in the town.
Most of the houses would be sold but the exact location was unconfirmed.
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After 52 years with the County Press, principal founder, George Brannon, announced his retirement.
Mr Brannon, the managing director of the County Press Company, decided to retire because of his advancing years.
His son, Wilfred Brannon, was to succeed him in the new year.
50 Years Ago
December 23, 1961
Two records were broken at the Central Electricity Generating Board’s power station, at Kingston.
On one day, 40,000 kilowatts of electricity were produced and the following day, the output reached 41,500 kilowatts. The previous record was 38,600 kilowatts.
The records occurred a week after staff at the power station worked continuously for 30 hours to repair its generator.
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Bembridge Lifeboat made its annual trip to the Nab Tower to deliver Christmas gifts to its keepers.
A cargo of turkey, chicken, ham, hare, eggs, wine and puddings, donated by IW hotels and tradesmen, was delivered by the lifeboat crew.
The lighthouse cat was not forgotten, as tasty titbits were also delivered.
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A unique set of false teeth were awaiting adjustment at a Newport dental surgery.
The denture, which contained six incisor teeth for the lower jaw, were to be given to a ten-year-old sheep.
The teeth were the brainchild of an Island veterinary surgeon and a Newport dental surgeon, who could not be named for legal reasons.
25 Years Ago
December 24, 1986
A Bonchurch couple kept calm and courageously used delaying measures to thwart a burly masked gunman, who walked into their sub-post office.
Mr and Mrs Goldrick, aged 62 and 63, who ran the Lowther Post Office in Newchurch, argued with the raider before handing over cash he was demanding.
The raider barricaded the pair in the room but failed to notice a phone was in there, enabling the couple to call the police.
Police launched an Island-wide search after the raid.
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Fears the Savoy Country Club at Norton was expanding to the detriment of a beautiful valley were voiced at a South Wight planning committee.
Some members expressed concern after the club was given permission to build a major sports complex, then announced it planned further development.
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Local celebrities’ culinary talents went down a treat at the Ryde gas showrooms during a 12-hour charity mince pie making marathon.
By the end of the event, guests, including mayor of South Wight, Heather Humby, and television presenter, David Icke, had made 1,330 mince pies, raising about £130 for the IW Special Olympics.
10 Years Ago
December 28, 2001
A terrorist alert in Sandown highlighted the fact the Island should not be used as a dumping ground for vessels no-one wanted.
An urgent appraisal of Sandown Bay being used as a safe haven for ships with dangerous cargoes was needed after anti-terror officers gave the sugar ship, Nisha, a clean bill of health.
There had been fears the ship, anchored in Sandown Bay, was carrying explosives.
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St Mary’s Hospital was inundated with patients suffering a flu-like sickness, bug during their busiest Christmas ever.
There were 125 emergency admissions during the Christmas week, which was expected to continue during the New Year period.
Hospital chief executive, Graham Elderfield, said it was busier than it had ever been.
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A Ryde woman was reunited with her sister after 64 years, thanks to Cilla Black’s Surprise Surprise television show.
Patricia Booker, 76, of St Mary’s Close, had given up trying to find sister Beryl Hubbard, after years of enquiries.
However, her son, Alan, organised a surprise visit to London, where Mrs Booker met Beryl on the show.