100 years ago

August 31, 1918

DESCRIBED as a 'blessing for Newport', Mr Franklin, a man described as the most expert optician in England, agreed to stay in Newport to test Islanders eyesight.

Mr Franklin said he had tested the eyesight of more than 100,000 people in London during the previous five years, and has a successful store in Regent Street.

He gave out free advice and consultations to the queues of people lined up in St Thomas' Square.

75 years ago

August 28, 1943

East Cowes Cricket Club, which had greatly assisted various charities throughout it's life, arranged two charity cricket matches in aid of the Hampshire Regiment Prisoners of War Fund.

The teams were made up of East Cowes residents against Cowes residents, and the competition extended to include how much money they could each raise for the fund.

At a dance held at the town hall afterwards, music was provided by the dance band of the Hampshire Regiment.

50 years ago

August 24, 1968

Four years after it's closure, Ventnor's formal Royal National Hospital was set to get a new breath of life.

Ventnor Council purchased the building to create an open space and amenities centre and to try and rejuvenate the grand building.

Cllr Davies said: "These changes well pay for themselves and bring life back to the now derelict place."

25 years ago

August 27, 1993

The Office of Fair Trading was drawn into West Wight's battle of the buses when a small bus operator accused Southern Vectis of trying to drive them out of town.

Southern Vectis suddenly found itself in competition with Wightline when both companies ran open-topped double deckers on the Alum Bay to Yarmouth route.

When Southern Vectis suddenly broke ranks with a 50p return ticket, Wightline have accused them of trying to put them out of business.

10 years ago

August 28, 2008

The Olympic baton was handed over to this country in a big way on the Island.

The Island flew the largest Olympic handover flag, a huge spinnaker bearing the London 2012 logo, no the 32ft-yacht, Paddiywack, as it passed the Needles.

Young crew members from IYWAC hoisted the Spinnaker at the exact moment Britain became the next Olympic host.