100 Years Ago - May 13, 1911
A young man from Newport was charged with having been asleep while in charge of a pony and cart.
PC Holland said he saw the defendant driving up Arreton Shute. He was sitting in the driver’s seat with the reins, which were hanging loose on the horse’s back, in his hands. His head was resting on his chin and he was fast asleep.
The defendant was fined 10s with 4s costs.
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A very unfortunate incident occurred in Ryde, which resulted in a ten-year-old boy suffering a broken leg.
A man was cycling along the High Street, when the lad ran out into the road from behind a van and was knocked down by the lamp bracket, on the front of the bicycle.
The boy was taken to the Ryde County Hospital, where it was found he had a compound fracture to his leg.
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A large group of Island Wesleyan Methodists gathered at Shalfleet for the foundation stone laying of the new methodist chapel on the old site. The old chapel had become unsafe due to subsidence.
75 Years Ago - May 16, 1936
The new diesel electric floating bridge for service between East and West Cowes was officially launched at a cost of £12,000.
It was 107ft long and had an extreme breadth of 39ft, with covered space.
The prows of the bridge also received special attention with the hopethere would be no more complaints of vehicle number plates being knocked off.
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Organisers were preparing to open the 12th annual IW Musical Festival in Ryde.
There were 1,200 entries, an increase of 102 on the previous year. The majority of the classes, including dance, vocal and piano, were to start at Ryde Town Hall and the Esplanade Pavilion.
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The Island was, once again, recognised in the annual winter sunshine records in the six months to the end of March.
In the list of 226 sunshine recording stations in the British Isles, the Island took very high places.
Sandown finished third, with 500 hours and Ventnor claimed fourth spot, with 491 hours. Jersey topped the charts with 530 hours, followed by the Scilly Isles.
50 Years Ago - May 13, 1961
Three occupants of a Cessna single-engine monoplane being flown from Portsmouth to the weekend aircraft rally in Jersey were killed when it crashed on St Catherine’s Down, Blackgang.
Police, fire crews and ambulance services were quickly on the scene and after a mile trek to the top of the gorse covered down, the wreckage was found.
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The annual dinner of the IW branch of the Portsmouth FC supporters’ club was held at the Regency Restaurant, Newport.
The president, Mr W Haines — a veteran player and ardent supporter — said he was the only surviving ex-player who could recollect the great days when Portsmouth rose from the ranks of the third division to the first.
A toast was raised to the club, with hopes the glory days could return.
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A one-way traffic system was to be considered to relieve traffic congestion in Sandown High Street.
It was one of several recommendations by traders and police officers, which were debated by Sandown and Shanklin Council.
25 Years Ago - May 16, 1986
Former British, European and Commonwealth boxer, Henry Cooper, received a knockout reception when he paid a visit to the Island to open Army and Navy’s new menswear department, in Newport.
Our ’Enery, as he was affectionately known during his boxing days, opened the store by punching his way through 200 balloons, to the cheers of several hundred shoppers, who had turned up to see him.
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A catastrophe was predicted for the Island tourist trade if no cash was found to finance vital promotions needed to save the holiday industry.
The bleak forecast was made at a meeting of people from the commercial sector of Island tourism in Shanklin, who also warned there could be massive job losses, resulting in the collapse of several businesses.
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More than 30 people objected to plans for regular pleasure flights from the helicopter pad at Golden Hill Park, Freshwater, by staging a protest — on the pad.
Despite police warnings, the group set up camp and prevented a helicopter that was on a test flight, from landing, which meant it had to land on grass nearby.
10 Years Ago - May 18, 2001
Newport was a sea of scooters as enthusiasts celebrated Lambretta Day.
More than 130 machines were at Holyrood Street for the third and final annual event, with riders making the trip from London, Bristol and Birmingham to enjoy the day, organised by the owner of the Generation shop, Steve Robson.
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Singing councillor Roger Mazillius teamed up with the vicar of his church to entertain parishioners and raise funds to ensure the future of the Northwood Flower Festival. Cllr Mazillius was in tune with St John the Baptist vicar, the Rev Graham Morris, and his family.
Their combined efforts raised £150 for the festival.