Memories of school class photos and unique local characters

The group exists to share old pictures and memories of the Isle of Wight and has around 5,500 members - including many former Islanders living in far-flung places across the world.

Scroll through the gallery of pictures above to see more... 

The main image above is Paul Sheath’s picture from Newchurch School. He knows it was from the late 1950s, but asks which year?

Other group members weren't sure, but many remembered being at the school and Paul Hann commented that there used to be an annual cricket match at Newchurch School - Mr Campbell's girls v Mrs Campbell's boys.

John Robinson shared a photo of Saunders Roe rugby club (in gallery above), thought to be the 1960s. John is bottom left of the photo and the front row was also believed to include Peter Seago and Stuart Peters.

Andrew Boynton asked who remembered Radio Fred. Photo courtesy of Ken Tutton.

Andrew Boynton remembers "Radio Fred" Power (1917-83).

He said: "Thinking back to my childhood in Sandown, aged nine, circa 1966, I recalled an interesting character nicknamed “Radio Fred” with an obsession for pirate radio stations. Fred Power lived with his wife, Joan, in a flat opposite the Post Office in Beachfield Road, Sandown. They moved from London to Sandown in the 1960s, he had worked in the outfitting business. He was probably a family acquaintance and I used to bump into him in Beachfield Road.

"He was always canvassing for pirate radio stations like Radio London and Radio Caroline, engaging with anyone who might be a target listener and handing out "Fight for Free Radio" badges . Following the implementation of Marine Broadcasting Offences Act in August 1967, Radio London closed but Radio Caroline continued broadcasting as it was based outside any regulatory jurisdiction.

"Fred also worked in the change box at Wight City, Sandown. Sadly, in 1983, Radio Fred died from post-operative complications. RIP. Does anyone else remember Radio Fred?" Several group members did.

Newport Girl Guides trip to the New Forest, 1977. Picture: Anna Lake (nee Wharton).

Anna Lake (nee Wharton) shared a photo of Newport girl guides' trip to New Forest in the summer of 1977. She remembers Liz Gisbourne, Julia Dixon, Felicity Blake and Debbie Reay, but Anna thinks she must have been the photographer, because she's not in the picture.

Debbie commented that she remebered the trip well and  added that Felicity is now a guider herself.

Bev Butler shared a picture of Fairy Court Annexe, which was part of Fairway Secondary Modern School (in gallery above). Bev’s late husband, Nevil Butler, is in the middle at the back of the photo and it was taken in approximately 1959-60.

The image brought back memories for many and Tessa Buckley commented: "The teacher is Fred Wheeler and I am on his left." She also recognised Keith Fowler, Tom Gifford, Geoff Pendleton and Christopher Braham.

Christopher Edwards also shared a picture of Class 1 at Watergate School, Newport, which was taken in 1981 (in gallery above). This prompted several people to comment on what a lovely school it was.

Finally Andrew Boyton shared the news that there is a Fairway Secondary Modern School Facebook group and he was compiling the class photo database, with photos from 1953-70, which prompted lots of memories and discussion.

Have you joined the We Grew Up on the Isle of Wight Facebook group yet? Click here to see more...

Like reading about bygone times on the Isle of Wight? Click here to visit our Looking Back section...