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

125 years ago, in July 1899:

The Newport national schools were in good health according to a report by a government inspector. The inspector said that the girls' school continued to be taught carefully and that the boys' school's order and instruction were creditable. Speaking at a public meting at the Newport  Vicarage, the Rev H. Edmund Sharpe said that the highest total grant in the history of the school had been earned.

100 years ago, in June 1924:

IW Liberal MP General Seely was universally criticised at the Hampshire and IW Labour Party conference held at the Co-operative Hall, Cowes. Mrs Palmer said Gen. Seely had proclaimed he loved his electorate, but she doubted his sincerity. Mrs Palmer praised the Labour government and said an atmosphere of gloom and depression had been replaced by one of hope since the present administration had come to  power.

Conservative candidate Capt Macdonald was critical of the Labour government's nationalisation policy at a meeting held in East Cowes. He said that nationalisation did not work and pointed to the government's experiences of rail during the First World War. Capt Macdonald said the railways were a great deal better in private hands than they had been under the ownership of the government.

75 years ago, in July 1949: 

The postmaster general, Wilfred Paling MP,  undertook an Island tour. He visited the Ventnor, Ryde and Newport offices and spoke with nearly every member of staff. During his Ryde visit he said that staff were well-off for accommodation compared to several other areas he had visited. He added that there was a manpower shortage and, as a result of this, postal services were not as numerous as they might be.

Island units of the RAF, Army and the Royal Observer Corps took part in Exercise Foil. The battleground for the air exercise was between Southport, Lancashire, and Dover, Kent. Fighter bombers from the US Third Air Division also took part in the exercise.

50 years ago, in June 1974:

Medina Borough Council was told that more than £140,000 in Island rate revenue was lost because 1,500 properties stood empty.

An Island-wide speed limit was just one of the  measures in a draft policy statement that was  being considered by the county council.

The proposed demolition of the Grade 2 Listed Ryde Corner House restaurant received the backing of Medina Borough Council.

A verdict of self-neglect was given at an inquest on IRA hunger striker Michael Gaughan, who died at Parkhurst Prison.

Island MP Stephen Ross added his backing to  a campaign to save the J.S. White's Sports and Recreation Club.