100 years ago - March 22 1919

There was concern over the amount of recent mishaps in running the floating bridge. There was an appeal for information from the ferry committee, as there had never been known so many mishaps as during the past fortnight. The bridge had been aground , or other incidents, four times in a fortnight.. It was described as quite extraordinary.

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Two labourers appeared in front of the Isle of Wight County Bench for behaving in a disorderly manner in Shanklin, arm-in-arm in Regent Street singing and ‘acting drunk’. They caused several people to get off the pathway into the road. They were given fair warning that if such conduct were not stopped, they would run the risk of being severely dealt with.

75 years ago - March 18 1944

Ryde Town Council organised a meeting for those interested in the rehabilitation of the Island seaside resorts after the war. There was a suggestion that empty properties, left vacant due to evacuation, could be granted relief under the War Damage Act. All defence works, road blocks and other impedimenta erected for the defence of the country should be removed with convenient speed.

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At recent investitures at Buckingham Palace two West Wight men who had been serving on submarines throughout the war received decorations from the King. They were Chief Petty Officers Benjamin Morton and Gerald D. Walls.

50 years ago - March 22 1969

The Wootton Protection Action Group was formed to protest against a proposed Saturday hovercraft service between Southsea and Warner’s Woodside Bay Holiday Camp. The main objections to the service, which would be operated by Hovertravel Ltd, were noise, the danger to children and public access to the beach.

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A new ferry was announced for the Lymington-Yarmouth route. The present two ships took 36 cars and a maximum of 168 passengers each, but the new one would carry 50 cars and 500 passengers, mainly to accommodate coach traffic.

25 years ago - March 25 1994

The IW Donkey Sanctuary moved to a new site — Lower Winston Farm in Wroxall. One of the Island’s most popular tourist attractions, the venture was opened at Betty Haunt Lane, Newport, five years previously, by Charlie and Cherryl Clarke, but outgrew its premises and had 93 donkeys at the time of the move. The new site is six times the size.

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Patsy’s nightclub in Ryde was given three months to improve its image or face closure from Medina Borough Council, after members received a dossier detailing nearly 30 police complaints against the club. The venue was given a three-month licence but the council insisted on the club installing video cameras inside. Club owner Nick Spyker said he may appeal.

10 years ago - March 20 2009

Stars of stage and screen flocked to the Island for the first Minghella Movie Marathon in memory of Anthony Minghella. Jude Law, Alan Rickman, Kevin Whately, Martin Freeman and director Lord Puttnam were among those attending.

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Plans to turn Northwood House into a hotel or restaurant were given a tentative thumbs up by Cowes residents — but not at the cost of losing the public park. Cowes mayor Cllr Geoff Banks said the town council would discuss the possibility of holding a referendum, asking people if they would be prepared to pay a higher precept to help save the house, but said it was unlikely to be popular with residents.