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:

A committee was formed, under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Southwark, to restore  the chapel of St Nicholas in Castro at Carisbrooke Castle, as a memorial to King  Charles I. The estimated sum for restoration works was  £1,000 and Percy Stone, an eminent architect and archaeologist, was expected to spearhead the project.

A grass-mowing competition was cancelled due to lack of entries. The lack of interest was thought to have been caused by the fact that the competition was restricted to machine work.

The foundation stone was laid at the Dairyman's Daughter Memorial Chapel at Hale Common. Mr and Mrs Seymour Pittis of Hale laid the first stone on land that had been given for the  purpose of a Methodist chapel by Richard Roach Pittis, JP, of Newport.

100 years ago, in July 1924:

"Flowers bring us nearer Heaven" was the comment made by John Seely MP as he opened the first IW Rose Society show held since 1914. The society's show, which proved to be very successful, was revived after a ten-year break largely by the efforts of the Rev Hugh Le Fleming, avid rose grower and vicar of Ryde, and Mr E. Matthews, honorary secretary.

The Theatre Royal at Ryde was the only venue on the Island showing the world's biggest film, Enemies Of Women, starring Lionel Barrymore, Alma Rubens and Ziegfield Follies. The enthralling love story had been secured at enormous expense and had been phenomenally successful during its four-month season at the Empire, Leicester Square, and Scala Theatres in London.

75 years ago, in July 1949:

Representatives from almost every organisation on the Island decided to set up a working  party to look at the problems of juvenile delinquency. Police records indicated there had been a 50 per cent increase in the number of crimes committed by juveniles on the Island between 1947 and 1948.

The National Insurance Scheme celebrated its first year in business. The Island offices at Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Shanklin and Ventnor had dealt with 9,803 claims for sickness benefit.

One of the Home Office's largest exhumation orders of the time was carried out at the Convent of the Sacred Heart at East Dene, Bonchurch. The exhumation was carried out because East Dene was to be sold and could no  longer be used as a public cemetery. A total of 55 former residents of East Dene, buried there between 1907 and 1948, were re-interred in a communal grave at Ventnor Cemetery.

50 years ago, in July 1974: 

Part of Coppins Bridge in Newport was cordoned off after a one-foot wide hole appeared in the road. Workmen said the damage could have proved very dangerous if a bus or heavy lorry had run over it.

The Island Sailing Club's 60-mile Round the Island races attracted a record fleet of 475 yachts. Edward Heath, at the helm of Morning Cloud, won the Gold Roman Cup, for the fourth consecutive year.