100 years ago

May 25, 1918

Schools across the Island celebrated Empire Day.

The students of the Freshwater CE schools saluted the flag, sang patriotic songs and marched around the grounds in military alignments.

The girls sang Our Island Home, the boys sang Sailors and Soldiers, and the infants sang Keep the Home Fires Burning.

***

Islanders mourned the death of Rev J. H. Shilson, who had been the highly esteemed minister of the United Methodist Church, Newport.

Before his work in Newport, the reverend had close connections with Cowes and Sandown and had been an active member of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

He had been working in the garden of his home, Appley Villa, Newport, when he had fallen ill and died.

75 years ago

May 22, 1943

The anniversary of the Home Guard was celebrated on the Island by a parade and march-past in Newport.

More than 600 people were involved in the procession led by Lt. Col. F. Nevill Jennings.

The colonel said it gave him great pleasure to talk to those involved on the third anniversary of the Home Guard.

***

A Communist Meeting called for unity in their latest meeting.

They said the way forward for the working classes was the affiliation of the Communist Party and the Labour Party.

It was thought that even forces that generally opposed one another could come together when a common ground issue arose, such as defeating fascism.

50 years ago

May 18, 1968

A Totland Bay W.I. meeting had a funny surprise when they arrived in Paris for their annual trip.

They awoke to no electricity, no buses and no Metro on their first day in the city.

They realised they had clashed with one of the biggest strikes in Paris to date.

***

A Bembridge technician was awarded 'Technical Student of the Year' in a national competition organised by the British Junior Chamber of Commerce.

His prize was a nine-month tour of Australia upon the Oriana and he was presented with his award by the Mayor of Birmingham.

He had represented the Isle of Wight in the heats leading up to the final competition just a few weeks earlier.

25 years ago

May 21, 1993

A couple from Bembridge were tied up and robbed by masked men thought to be responsible for a series of violent robberies.

Mr and Mrs Briggs were asleep when the men broke in and bound their feet.

The robbers only made it out with £30 after they triggered the alarm system of Mr Brigg's business.

***

Tragedy occurred at Tapnell Farm, Freshwater, after a race marshal was knocked down and killed in a four car-race.

The National Auto-grass Sport Association carried out an investigation into the event.

The car unexpectedly careered off the inside of the track and into the marshal.

10 years ago

May 23, 2008

Teachers, parents and pupils finally found out where the axe was to fall in the new-look Island education system.

It was announced no school would remain untouched as the move to a two-tier system was to happen over the next two years.

Chale and Yarmouth Primary schools were told they would close, alongside all 16 middle schools.

***

A tape contained the confidential medical records of more than 38,000 Islanders was lost.

The tape, with details of Sandown patients dating back for the last ten years, was sent to a London-based GP software company.

It had not been returned to the health centre despite being dispatched two months prior.

Picture story: Portsmouth fans celebrate Pompey's FA Cup Final Win at the Crown Inn, Ryde. From left, Nigel Tomlinson, Bob Walker, Richard Lochrane, Ben Davis and H. Eklund. 0508-j28811.