100 years ago

August 10, 1918

THE ANNUAL rally of Island boy scouts and girl guides at Carisbrooke Castle was a great success.

The rain did not dampen the large numbers that carried out the programme of sports and display of work.

Hey Royal Highness Princess Beatrice, president of the Island Association of Boy Scouts, honoured the proceedings with her presence.

75 years ago

August 7, 1943

250 Island boys from the 19th and 20th Battalion of the Army Cadet Force thoroughly enjoyed their first annual camp at Woodside House, Wootton.

By permission of the owner, Rev. Critchard, the boys enjoyed games, training and various activities in the sun.

The County Press reporter that visited them said they were already bronzed and looking very fit and happy.

50 years ago

August 3, 1968

The Queen visited Cowes Week for the first time.

H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh joined the fun on the royal yacht Britannia and competed in his Flying Fifteen Cowslip.

H.M. the Queen's schedule did not include joining in the sailing, but she visited a throng of spectators along the Parade.

25 years ago

August 6, 1993

A firm that wanted to build a £30 million tunnel link beneath the Solent between Gosport and Ryde unveiled its initial blueprint for development.

Winchester-based Linkland Ltd remained convinced its innovative 4,700 metre underwater tunnel was technically feasible and would only take 18 months to develop.

A fare of £10 was envisaged, and the size of the tunnel would have only allowed cars, vans and mini-buses.

10 years ago

August 8, 2008

The Island's school test results for 11 year olds were the second worst in the country.

The results showed a shocking increase in those who fail to achieve expected standards, with just 48 per cent of pupils achieving Level 4 or above in SATS.

They placed the Island 149th out of 150 local authorities in England, with only the City of London achieving lower.