The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing Islanders the news since 1884. We've delved into our archives.

April 1929, 95 Years Ago:


Passengers on the Southern Railway Company's steamer Portsdown had a scare when the boat broke down mid-way through its journey from Southsea to the Island. The situation was dealt with quickly by the company, which sent out a second boat so the passengers could be transferred. Three hours later it docked at Ryde Pier.

Islanders heard for the first time how holding the Schneider Cup race in the Solent would improve revenue and tourism on the Island and on the south coast. It was suggested that up to 1.5 million people could descend on the south bringing with them millions of pounds of spending money.

April 1954, 70 Years Ago:


Fire crews spent hours trying to contain a blaze that swept through a lock-up garage and workshop in Ventnor. The fire was reported ten minutes after the garage was closed by its owner and, due to the flammable liquids inside, the fire quickly took a hold.

Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts took part in Sandown's annual Easter cycle rally with so many wanting to take part in the round-the-Island race that organisers had to turn people away. Scratch races and bicycle polo matches were also planned at the three-day event.

A mobile x-ray unit based at the Priory Girls School in Newport attracted masses of attention, with more than 2,000 people booking appointments for examination. This number was up around 300 from the last time the mobile unit was on the Island, with health officials saying that it might be a growing alarm about smoking.

A Cowes family had a narrow escape when they awoke in the middle of the night to find that their stairs were on fire. Frances Tutton and her young daughter, Dorothy, screamed for help and their calls were heard by neighbours, who rescued the pair with a ladder.

April 1994, 30 Years Ago:


Ryde Sports Football Club was given permission by Medina Borough Council to build a new sports hall, including a table tennis centre of excellence at Smallbrook Stadium. It was planned that the two single-storey buildings would accommodate around 12 table tennis tables for practice games and five or six tables for tournaments.

A striking new uniform for members of IW Tourism were proving a hit with Islanders and visitors to the Island. The uniforms, which comprised a wide vertically striped jacket and straw hat, had a nautical theme and were supplied by Marks and Spencer. An IW Tourism spokesperson said: "The number of people who have commented has been amazing. They have all said how typically English we look."

A plan to build the Island's first public observatory was announced by the Vectis Astronomical Society. The society would provide the 18-inch Newtonian telescope but would also be fundraising to build the observatory that would house it.