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

126 years ago, in May 1898:
A road traffic accident spread butter and eggs over St James's Square, Newport. A horse-drawn van, driven by Mr A. Rice, which was delivering butter and eggs, was hit in the tail by the Bugle Bus and capsized against the Corn Exchange. A Miss Rice, who was a passenger in the van, was thrown from it and suffered a severe shaking and bruising. The van and the harness were badly damaged, as were the contents, which were scattered about the scene of the
accident.

The CP paid tribute to former Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone who died on May 19. He was born in Liverpool in 1809 and was originally elected as a Tory Member of Parliament in 1832 and held office under Sir Robert Peel. From 1852 he served several terms as Chancellor of the Exchequer. His terms in office as Prime Minister were from 1868-74, 1880-5, 1886, and 1892-4.

101 years ago, in May 1923:
Sandown Town Hall played host to a town meeting to prepare the electors for a
referendum on the purchase of the Beachfield Estate for conversion into a pleasure garden. Cllr Cyril Goodman said the project should go ahead so the town would become attractive to the best type of visitor and resident. He added that if the purchase was not made, Sandown would become a second class place for second class people.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded on a six-year-old boy who was involved in a car accident at Pallance Road, Northwood. The boy had
just left the Wesleyan School and suddenly ran across the road into the path of a car travelling from Porchfield. An eyewitness said the accident happened so suddenly that a tragic event was unavoidable. The foreman of the jury, when delivering the verdict, said that a corner near the school was a danger zone.

76 years ago, in May 1948:
A Shanklin town councillor discovered three German prisoners of war in Sandown Bay. Bert Kemp answered a distress signal from a 40ft motor launch
stolen by Gerhard Scelig, Helmut Homeyer and Erich Schulze, who had escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp at Le Havre. Mr Kemp called the police and the men were later handed over to the military authorities.

The clerk of the IW County Council, L. Baines, made a plea through the County Press for properties to be rented out to accommodate children under the care of the council. Mr Baines said that existing homes were filled to capacity and 30 children were in the quite unsuitable environment of Parkhurst Institution as an
emergency measure.