125 years ago, in September 1899:

Princess Beatrice visited Freshwater to inspect the remains of what were believed to be ancient Phoenicians, found by Robert Walker in the area. The bones were to be taken to the new museum at Carisbrooke Castle, which had been established as a memorial to her late husband, Prince Henry of Battenberg.

The Rev E. Neville Lovatt, the vicar of St Saviour's, Shanklin, spoke out on the present-day lack of religion in a series of addresses delivered to men only on a Sunday afternoon.

Readers were reminded not to forget Cowes Carnival, the last of the Island's carnival season, which was to include a procession starting at Egypt Point, plus illuminations and thousands of lanterns and fairy lights in Northwood Park.

100 years ago, in September 1924:

During the Queen's visit to Appuldurcombe House, at Wroxall, she saw: a crippled boy holding open the gates for her car to pass through, so she threw a shilling to him and his companion. The pair were so pleased that they raided their gardens at home to make bouquets for the Queen, which she graciously accepted.

The new Conservative Hall, which seated about 200, was opened at Wootton. Work on the club had started in 1914, but the outbreak of the First World War prevented the building from being completed.

Advertisers were encouraged to use the County Press because it was "easily the most thorough and economical medium" to use to reach all Islanders.

75 years ago, in September 1949:

Atlantic voyagers Colin and Stanley Smith were given a huge welcome as they sailed triumphantly into their home port of Yarmouth. Around 50 other boats were on the water to greet their 20ft yacht, Nova Espero, including the Yarmouth lifeboat with the boys' father, coxswain Stanley Smith, in charge.

Boy scouts were to carry out a traffic survey to ascertain whether Newport required an inner or outer ring road. They had instructions to stop each car travelling on all the major roads into Newport between 6am and 10pm on three consecutive days and ask the drivers several questions.

For the first time, Island police used a plane to travel to Jersey and bring back four people wanted in connection with a theft.

50 years ago, in August 1974:

The Newtown Randy was once again successfully revived, after a break of about 50 years. Older Women's Institute members remembered the Randys of the early 1920s and wanted to organise another event as an experiment.

The Island opened a new Careers Centre in Orchard Street, Newport. It was opened to meet the demands of the Employment and Training Act 1973, which required local education authorities to provide a career guidance service for young people.