100 years ago - February 22, 1919

A PROPOSAL to build a bridge over the Medina as a war memorial was under public consideration at Cowes and East Cowes.

The suggestion, originally made by Mr S. Saunders, caught on with town members and it seemed there was every chance of the bridge materialising.

It was agreed the structure would be a fitting memorial and an improvement to public life.

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Using indecent language on the Cowes Floating Bridge landed a young man in court.

The court heard Christopher E. Sammone said: “Do you see that – water? I will soon – well throw you in” to the ticket operator.

He was fined £2.

75 years ago - February 19, 1944

An Island soldier who was captured while serving in Tunisia escaped and returned home.

L Cpl Ernest George Scott, of Ryde, escaped from a prison camp in the north of Italy and reached British lines three months later.

He said: “We were almost skeletons when we arrived on British lines.”

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A sad accident led to the death of a man at Thetis Wharf.

Mr William Realey, 67, had been working as a storeman when he was knocked down by a motor lorry backing out the yard.

The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death.

50 years ago - February 22, 1969

Crime had increased steeply on the IW from 1968-1969, the County Press reported.

There were 1,874 crimes reported on the IW — a rise of 14.7 per cent.

The largest number of offences happened in Cowes and shop-breaking was the most frequently committed crime.

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There was a momentary panic — and a very long delay for passengers — when the Yarmouth to Lymington ferry was stranded in the Solent.

It left Yarmouth at 8.30am and arrived at Lymington six hours later.

Passengers described the sound as a ‘tremendous clunk’ and many lost a morning’s work.

25 years ago - February 25, 1994

One of the world’s most respected climbers, Doug Scott, visited a newly opened climbing wall.

He said he believed the new wall at Medina Recreation Centre would spark a major interest in the sport on the IW.

The £10,000 facility opened its doors and Mr Scott said he expected the wall to capture the imagination of Island youngsters.

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A call for sterner sentences in cases of assault against police officers came from the Island’s most senior officer.

Supt John Cranwell said officers felt their fight against violence was not backed by the judiciary.

Island MP, Barry Field, said capital punishment would act as a deterrent.

10 years ago - February 20, 2009

The future of the Cowes Week fireworks seemed in jeopardy.

Cowes Week Ltd, the body responsible for running the world’s most prestigious sailing event, said it would not be stumping up the estimated £50,000 to pay for the traditional end-of-regatta celebrations.

Organisers questioned why regatta entrants should alone pay for the fireworks which were regularly enjoyed by 75,000 people.

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Vandals who threw white paint over speed cameras in Wootton Bridge were condemned by a safety body.

The two fixed cameras in the High Street were targeted.

A spokesperson from IW Road Safety said the attack showed no respect for those injured in previous accidents on the road.