100 years ago - January 11, 1919

A GROUP of 19 school teachers resigned at a Ryde Education Committee meeting.

The chairman said the resignations were expected after a longstanding battle over pay.

He said: “Even though salaries have increased, some as much as £80 since 1917, evidently this did not meet their approval.”

***

A Newport man wrote home and described his experiences as a prisoner in Palestine.

Pte W. Stotesbury told his brother he had been forced to walk 300 miles before making his way back to Beyrouth.

He wrote: “I saw enough of this country to last me a lifetime – nothing but starvation everywhere. I am glad to get away from it.”

75 years ago - January 8, 1944

Mr R. Turner, of Fairlee, received a postcard from a lady in Fulham.

It read: “While listening to a German broadcast, I heard a message from Geoffrey Turner. He is quite fit and well and wished his family a happy new year.”

Mr R. Turner had not heard the broadcast so was grateful for the information regarding his son, marine Geoffrey Turner.

***

Pat, a Daschund, became a hero of the canine family by saving the post office from destruction by fire.

Mrs Smith, the post mistress, had left an oil lamp burning in the sitting room when she went to bed.

Pat continually barked and woke up Mrs Smith, who found the lamp had burst into flames and the living room was full of smoke.

50 years ago - January 11, 1969

Early morning rain, which covered the roads and turned to ice, caused several accidents on the IW.

On one morning, five accidents – in Calbourne, East Cowes, Binstead, Shalfleet and Yarmouth – occurred.

Only one person was seriously injured.

***

Protests continued against British Rail’s plan to remove the tram service along Ryde Pier.

Sandown and Shanklin Council voted unanimously to oppose the plans. Cllr Price said it would cause great inconvenience to the people of Shanklin and Sandown.

More than 30 residents attended the meeting to show their support for the protest.

25 years ago - January 14, 1994

A massive landslide devastated an area of Blackgang.

The old Blackgang Road, which ran from the Chine to Southview Holiday Park, collapsed down the cliffs and left two houses in ruins.

Homes were evacuated as South Wight officials warned more landslides were to be expected.

***

The bravery displayed by a police constable and a special constable when arresting a violent man wielding a baseball bat was rewarded.

PC Gerard Armitage and Section Officer Robert Bushell were commended for their professionalism.

The duo resisted using force and calmed the perpetrator down before arresting him in Shanklin.

10 years ago - January 9, 2009

Vandals targeted a community garden in Totland, used by children from West Wight Nursery and St Saviour’s Primary School.

Plant pots were smashed, water left running and wire fence panels damaged in the garden.

Trish Holmes, finance officer at West Wight Nursery, said the garden had become a big part of the community.

**

An IW woman was the first patient in the world to receive a revolutionary cancer treatment.

Paulin Pain, of Totland, described the new radio-therapy technique as a godsend after the disease went into remission.

The 58-year-old had suffered with a blood cancer, multiple myeloma.