Isle of Wight wall ghosts that peek into the past

Islander and writer Debbie Pledge has collated all of Newport's 'wall ghosts' and found out the history of yesteryear's signs, documenting them all on her website.

Newport still has remnants of its past on its streets, with signs from the 18th and 19th centuries appearing on walls and on the side of buildings. 

Prominent signs in the town are visible such as the 'Dolphin' on Sea Street, and 'Cranbourn Rest' at Nodehill.

Savings Bank on Mill Street, Newport (Image: IWCP)

However, more faded signs have fascinating provenance on Newport's commercial past.

A disused building on Mill Street is revealed to a former savings bank, with the faint outline of its sign still visible on closer inspection.

Islander Debbie Pledge has tracked down several wall ghosts (Image: IWCP)

The bank served the people of Newport for 100 years, moving to the site in 1865.

A short walk up the High Street takes you to the former site of Wray and Sons, a former Island grocers and bakery, with its sign still prominent on the top of the building.

The sign reads 'Self Pastrycook, The Noted Pie Shop' (Image: IWCP)

Tucked away further down the High Street is a remarkably visible sign for Self's pie shop, originally owned by Thomas Self and inherited by his nephew, John Dawson Self.

Coal Wharf in Little London (Image: IWCP)

Meanwhile, down by the Quay has some hidden gems, with a sign for a coal wharf still able to be made out on the 'Crooked Cottage', as well as signs for the Shepard Bros on 1 and 3 Little London.

The Dolphin Inn on Sea Street (Image: IWCP)

Also on Sea Street is one of the more visible wall ghosts, proudly advertising the Dolphin Inn.

Debbie said the building was the scene of a murder in April 1800, and the filled in windows were potentially because of the window tax brought in after the building was built.

Moorman and Sons on Upper St. James Street (Image: IWCP)

Nodehill also features several hints into days gone by, with Moorman and Sons Cabinet, Upholstery and Polishing Works' sign visible on the side of Richmond's Bakery, and a sign above Oxfam for another cabinet maker, believed to be for George Newman Henton's business. 

A sign for a cabinet maker above Oxfam on St. James Street (Image: IWCP)

A black outline of the words 'board schools' can be made out on the front of the Island VI Form building, the building being built in 1812.

The front of the Island VI Form, which reads 'board schools' (Image: IWCP)

Across the road is the sign for Cranbourn Rest, formerly a pub called The Cranbourne Arms. 

Former pupil of the board school a stone's throw away, Edward William Way, was killed at the age of 23 outside the pub in a fight in May 1889.

CP Reporter Alex Cooper and Debbie Pledge (Image: IWCP)

There are more wall ghosts to see across Newport, and Debbie has put together a comprehensive guide on her website, explaining the history and how she came about building up the information.