The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by.

125 years ago, in May 1900:

One of the few literary letters of the novelist Charles Dickens was auctioned for £14 as part of the sale of the contents of Whittle Mead, in Shanklin. It was purchased on behalf of the well-known dramatist Henry Arthur Jones.

Gossip was rife in Shanklin after the ex-priest, Father Ruthven, commenced legal proceedings against the current priest, Father de Bom.

100 years ago, in May 1925:

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Southern Railway main line engines were named after places served by the railway, among them one called The Needles.

The well-known six-metre yacht Maid Marion was rammed and sunk by a Southern Railway steamer off Ryde. Two people, a man and a woman, were asleep on board the yacht at the time and had a very narrow escape.

75 years ago, in May 1950:

Councillors decided that films and comic books featuring detective Dick Barton were having a bad influence on youngsters. It was suggested that young people had too much money to spend and could no longer entertain themselves.

A reader wrote in to tell the story of his pet magpie, who would circulate around every glass at a party, trying each drink until he found brandy, whereupon he would drain the glass and fall over drunk.

Island policemen were feeling very self-conscious after receiving their new uniforms. Gone were the traditional buttoned-to-the-chin tunics, and in their place, the officers were given open-necked jackets with blue collars and ties.

Ryde Airport, which had been closed since 1939, was officially reopened by the local mayor and mayoress. The couple, who had never flown before, went for an inaugural flight in a De Havilland Rapide aircraft.

50 years ago, in May 1975:

The Yarmouth Lifeboat continued to suffer from a mystery leak, despite being slipped and thoroughly inspected at East Cowes. It was thought that she may have been holed by debris after a ten-hour rescue operation in the Channel, but no damage could be found.

Owner of Brading Wax Museum, Graham Osborn-Smith, suggésted at a tourism conference that if the Island were to lose its seasonally-minded approach, it could become as successful as Brighton and Bournemouth.

For more tales of the past, subscribe to our online archive, where you can read the County Press editions dating back to 1884!