100 Years Ago - September 3, 1910
THERE was great anxiety at Totland Bay when three visitors to the Island were carried out to sea by the tide, near The Needles, during a terrible storm.
The group had hired a 12ft open rowing boat with the intention of rowing out to a shingle bank. The five-member party were warned of the dangers, but ignored advice and drifted as far as Christchurch, before returning safely the next day.
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A fire was discovered in a building at East Cowes, between Brading and Sons Yard and Columbia Yard. When the fire brigade arrived, the building was well alight. Two jets and a plentiful supply of water managed to extinguish the blaze but the building was left completely gutted. It was thought that the fire broke out in the upstairs store. No-one was injured.
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A lance-corporal in the 2nd Suffolk Regiment stationed at Parkhurst was charged with having used obscene language in Newport High Street. P. S. Foyle said he heard the man having an altercation with two sailors and using bad language, causing a large crowd to assemble. The military police had to be called to remove the man from the area.
The chairman said in consideration of the man’s seven years’ service and his previous good character, the case would be dismissed.
75 Years Ago - September 7, 1935
A Dorset man, who had attempted to test a canoe of his own design by sailing around the Island, made a second attempt — only to be rescued 17 hours later. The man was in a distressed and exhausted state, when he was rescued at Gurnard.
He was accommodated for the night at a local cafe, before leaving the next day in a canoe, bound for Lymington.
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People returning home from the mainland witnessed an extraordinary incident on Ryde Pier. The tram, which was proceeding to the pierhead on the west-side track, failed to stop and crashed through the buffers on to the platform at a speed of more than 20mph. Fortunately, those waiting at the pierhead were waiting on the other platform, otherwise the consequences would no doubt have been very serious.
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The Shanklin Water Carnival proved a great success after rain, which had threatened to dampen the spirits, finally cleared. Keen contests were witnessed in several events and a particular feature was the sailing race between members of the Sandown and Shanklin clubs. Ventnor Town band provided entertainment and a large crowd gathered to watch the impressive fireworks in the evening.
50 Years Ago - September 3, 1960
A private from the Lancashire Regiment, Albany Barracks, pleaded guilty to stealing a pedal cycle and riding it without lights in Cowes. Insp Baldwin said the man was seen riding a bicycle and stopped when it was realised the bicycle was belonged to a tradesman. The defendant said: "I borrowed it from a butcher but I did not know his name." He was fined £2 for the larceny and 10s for the cycling offence.
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Folly Regatta was spoilt by inclement weather conditions after rain and high winds forced the cancellation of most of the sailing events. Norman Shears, the secretary, said: "It was one of the most blustery days we have ever had."
After the previous year’s event, which was described as the most outstanding ever, it was deemed ironic this year’s was a washout.
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A nine-year-old boy denied stealing £4 10s in notes from a deckchair attendant in Ryde.
It was claimed the attendant left the bag of money on the back of a deckchair while he collected several chairs. He then turned and saw the boy taking the bag and making off with it, along with two girls. The man chased the boy and the trio were apprehended by a witness, where other stolen items were found on them. They were placed on probation for two years.
25 Years Ago - September 6, 1985
Five night-shift workers were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out in Whippingham.
The five men were affected by fumes when welding equipment caught fire in the maintenance department of a factory.
Firemen from Newport, using two sets of breathing apparatus and a hose reel, put out the blaze.
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Some of the Island’s top footballers turned out for a charity match in aid of the Ethiopian Famine Relief Fund. A select team brought together by British Gas service engineer, Graham West, took on Plessey’s Sunday League and Albany Cup winning side and there were goals aplenty.
Plessey boss, Malcolm Fry, said: "Graham went to the trouble of organising the game and the least we could do was provide the opposition and facilities."
10 Years Ago - September 1, 2000
Around 500 scooterists were evacuated from the Planet Ice arena in Ryde when a fire broke out in the roof of the venue, just as a concert was about to start. An arena manager and a visiting scooter rider were treated for smoke inhalation and two other men were taken to hospital as a precaution. Fire crews from Sandown, Ryde and Newport quickly extinguished the blaze and the concert resumed later on that evening.
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Two sea defence schemes costing a total of £2.6 million were opened at Seagrove Bay, Seaview and Wheelers Bay, Ventnor.
The barriers defend land, homes, roads and infrastructure valued at around £4 million at Seagrove Bay. The figure is slightly higher at Ventnor, bringing the total close to £9 million. The defences were thought to have a lifespan of about 50 years.
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The world record for swimming around the Island was smashed by six members of the South Wight Club.
Leanne Davies, Jo Lane, Adam Brown, Martin Lovett, Steven Hall and Lawrence Edmonston completed the challenge in 15 hours and 29 minutes. The group left Ryde Pier at 9.30am and swam towards The Needles, arriving back at the pier at 12.59am.