100 years ago

March 30, 1918

The Daily Express praised Shanklin's enterprising and successful toy-making industry as a home industry that is flourishing.

It was complimented as a "beachcomber" under the heading "Not made in Germany" — they were praised for cutting out German trade but not cutting out labour.

House-keepers who found it difficult to secure employment in the off season are busy making attractive rag dolls.

75 years ago

March 27, 1943

An automatic fire alarm, which even the owner did not know existed, saved Afton Manor, Freshwater from a huge amount of destruction.

The fire did a considerable amount of damage, but a pump from Freshwater Fire Station arrived at the scene only three minutes after discovery.

Members of the domestic staff attacked the lower fire with chemical extinguishers, but luckily enough water was available from the house to extinguish the main fire that had hold of the roof.

50 years ago

March 22, 1968

The new headquarters of the IW Society for the Aid of the Physically Handicapped open on St James' Street, Newport.

The building provided a musch needed nucleus for the administration of the society and a central point for storage and meetings.

President of the society, Mrs Mark Woodnutt, said she was delighted that they had a centre at last and thanked the chairman, Mr G. Gould, for the project's success.

25 years ago

March 26, 1993

An Island woman's relief following a hip replacement surgery — which she had paid out more that £4000 of her life savings for — turned to anger when she discovered that fellow patients on the mainland were having the same operation covered by the NHS.

This followed numerous cases of Islanders having to wait over a year to receive the same treatment those on the mainland received instantly.

Mrs Conway said she had suffered months of crippling pain before she decided to pay for the operation herself.

10 years ago

March 28, 2008

A heroic Island soldier, who went to the aid of two colleagues who were injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, has been commended for his bravery and quick actions.

Trooper Adam Simler, of Newport, was commended for his selfless actions under enemy fire at a ceremony in Hants where he was presented with a certificate and a pin to attach to his Iraq medal.

He told the County Press that he was only doing his job.