100 Years Ago - February 12, 1910
DOORS blew open and glass shattered across the street in a gas explosion at a Newport shop.
The explosion happened after gas escaped from a chandelier in a back room of the wine merchants, Vibert and Son, in Lower St James’s Street, Newport. Wine and spirit bottles also smashed and shop owner Mr Vibert suffered a singed face from a small fire.
rrrrr
A landslip at Luccombe resulted in major damage to the sea wall, groynes and other sea defences.
Tons of stone and other debris gathered from a part of the cliff, about 220 yards long and 100ft wide, which fell on to the beach.
It was believed to have been caused by heavy rain.
-----
A steam trawler came ashore in thick fog at Chale Bay. The Nemrod, carrying 75 tons of fish, had come close to the cliffs before it came ashore about 200 yards east of Walpen Chine.
Fishermen responded to the Nemrod’s distress signal and helped the crew to safety after they threw ropes from the vessel to the beach.
75 Years Ago - February 16, 1935
The last section of a coastal road between Freshwater and Niton was nearing completion.
A one-mile section between Compton and Afton Down would be the final part of the new Military Road but it wasn’t expected to open for another four months, to enable surfacing work to be done.
The 12-mile road would provide a sea view at almost every point.
-----
A heroic postman was recognised for tackling a man who was chasing a woman, armed with a razor blade.
Mr Powell was on his round when he saw the incident, prompting him to tackle the man to the floor, before four other men provided assistance.
Mr Powell, who suffered a bad gash to his leg, was invited to London to receive a medal for his bravery.
-----
Shorwell Village Hall and Club was reopened following an extension.
The open space between the club room and the hall was transformed by a new kitchen, cloakrooms and a covered passageway. A host of events were held to raise funds, including a bargain sale by Lord Burgh.
50 Years Ago - February 13, 1960
Sandown’s hoteliers appealed to the Urban District Council to brighten up the town’s esplanade and beaches.
Mr Holland, chairman of Sandown Hotels and Boarding Houses Association, said despite having the ideal beaches and sunshine, Sandown didn’t cater for visitors as well as it should. He recommended Sandown followed the example of beaches on the continent, which had sunbeds and lilos for hire.
-----
The RSPCA praised the help of volunteers who cared for swans after a major oil leak.
Hundreds of swans were covered in oil after it washed up on Island beaches, following a collision near the Nab Tower, between the American
cargo ship, Santa Alicia, and a Norwegian tanker, the Gorm.
A swan hospital was set up in Cowes and volunteers rallied round to supply equipment and food for the affected birds.
25 Years Ago - February 15, 1985
Late-night revellers fled a burning coach after it caught fire along the Undercliff Road, St Lawrence.
More than 20 people were on their way back from Barney’s Roadhouse, Brighstone, when flames started sweeping through the 29-seat coach.
The passengers escaped unharmed after coach driver Peter Symmans evacuated the vehicle, which was left severely damaged by the fire.
-----
The Island looked set for a jobs boost after plans were drawn up for a hi-tech factory development on the outskirts of Ryde.
A planning application for a 250,000 sq ft, two-storey complex, to be fitted to a high specification related to companies in the electronic industry, was to be submitted by a London company.
It was understood two electronics-based companies had expressed an interest in moving to the Island and it was hoped IW manufacturers would move to the site, at Westridge.
-----
Marks and Spencer dropped its plans to open a store at a central site in Newport and said it would
look to move to another area — but would not say where.
The company acquired a site at the centre of the town in 1982 but decided not to go-ahead with building a store, which would have fronted High Street, St James’s Square and Pyle Street.
However, Marks and Spencer confirmed it was investigating possibilities of buying another site.
10 Years Ago - February 11, 2000
A dramatic sea rescue had to be carried out in The Solent when a hovercraft carrying 20 passengers broke down.
A technical fault disabled the Idun Viking as it approached Ryde Esplanade and another hovercraft was called to rescue the passengers, left stranded in winds gusting to Force 5.
A makeshift gangway was put in place between the two hovercraft to transfer the passengers.
-----
The head of the company building an international golf course at Brading said the scheme would become reality.
Speaking against a background of false starts by previous owners of the Brading Marsh site, William Richardson said his company, ERM, envisaged the 18-hole course would be ready in five years.
However, despite Mr Richardson’s upbeat message, planners were considering a review of the planning permission for Marsh Farm, first granted in 1989.