100 Years Ago - February 17, 1912
YARMOUTH was in danger of being cut off by a disappearing road.
An inspection of the road across Yarmouth Common found it had slipped seawards and some of the land had disappeared.
Residents called for the county council to take immediate action, to prevent about half-a-mile of road from being carried away.
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The IW Bee Disease was continuing to cause havoc across the world.
The disease, believed to have originated on the Island, was prominent across the UK, Europe, America and Australia.
Although it was not believed to be as bad as in previous years, the British Bee Journal reported it was still a serious problem.
It was hoped it would not be long before scientists found a remedy.
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A coastguard telephone was to be installed at the end of Ventnor Pier.
It was felt the telephone would improve coastguard communications, particularly in bad weather.
A coastguard kiosk was to be put up at the end of the pier.
75 Years Ago - February 20, 1937
Sandown’s beach pavilion was saved from a serious fire thanks to the prompt action of the fire brigade.
Smoke was spotted coming from the building by a police officer, who was in the area in the early hours.
He alerted the fire brigade, who were quickly on the scene to tackle the blaze, which spread after burning timbers ignited the roof.
The fire brigade managed to stop the fire from spreading further, preserving most of the building.
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Brook lifeboat station was to close while proposals for a motor lifeboat were considered.
The RNLI announced stations across the country were replacing sailing lifeboats with motorised vessels.
Although it was a costly procedure, Lord Mottistone, president of the IW Lifeboat Board, was confident a motor lifeboat would be located at Brook.
50 Years Ago - February 17, 1962
There was a dramatic sequel to two recent break-ins in Cowes, when an anonymous parcel containing stolen money and goods was left at a bank.
The parcel, containing £81 in cash, plus cheque books and savings stamps, was anonymously delivered to the National Provincial Bank in Cowes High Street.
The money and the other items had previously been reported stolen after two separate incidents.
The savings stamps belonged to Love Lane County Infants’ School, which was vandalised during a raid in January.
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Polish brothers were to be reunited after 20 years.
Charles Bien, of Arnold Road, Binstead, had not seen or heard from his brother, Alexander, since they were separated when Charles joined the Polish Air Force.
Alexander went to India with his mother and the pair lost touch completely.
But after making contact via the British Red Cross, Charles, who moved to the Island when Bernard Mitchell jewellers opened a branch in Ryde, was to travel to Kunie, Poland, where Alex was living.
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The first wind tunnel to be designed and built by a sailmaker for examining the behaviour of sails under laboratory conditions was in operation at Ratsey and Lapthorn, Cowes.
The 38ft long Ratsey Tunnel, which recorded readings by blowing wind at scale models of ships, was testing a new cruiser racer, which was to be built by Clare Lallow.
25 Years Ago - February 20, 1987
With under-age drinking continuing to be a problem on the Island, magistrates warned licensees any infringements of the law would be treated seriously.
Speaking at a meeting held at the Guildhall, in Newport, Mr G. Pattie, chairman of the licensing justices, said alcohol played a part in a large number of offences.
He warned there would be a tightening up of all off-licences where alcohol was readily available.
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Medina needed to shed its scruffy image before the Queen’s visit in May.
Mr Ian Morgan, leader of the borough council’s Conservative Group, claimed Medina had fallen behind other south coast resorts, following a fact-finding tour he organised for group members.
Calling for a spring clean ahead of the Queen’s visit, Mr Morgan said the group were especially impressed with Bournemouth and Portsmouth but thought the Ryde Pier entrance to the Island was dirty.
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Plans for a major expansion at Sealink’s Fishbourne ferry terminal, including the provision of up to 170 extra parking spaces, were announced.
A planning application for land to the east of the existing terminal was submitted to the planning department.
The company said it needed to expand to cope with the increasing number of passengers.
10 Years Ago - February 22, 2002
Moves were being made by a group of Island businessmen to start up a new ferry route from Cowes to Portsmouth.
As well as creating a new cross-Solent route, the ambitious project would break the stranglehold of the two major operators and put a service into the hands of the people.
It was understood a consortium behind the venture had arrangements to berth at Cowes Parade and at a location in Portsmouth.
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Football crazy Andy Harvey was one of the country’s most travelled Sunday league players, as he made a 220-mile round trip to play for his pub team.
Centre back Andy, 29, of Castle Street, Ryde, paid more than £60 on ferry fares and petrol every week to play for his old local in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
It involved a five-hour round trip but Andy said he had played for the team for 12 years and he could not let them down.