The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by.

125 years ago, in September 1899:

A serious blaze on Ventnor High Street destroyed a three-storey furniture warehouse and caused questions to be raised about the water supply from street hydrants. At first the pressure in the hydrants produced only a dribble of water and it was some time before firefighters had the blaze, which enveloped the whole building and destroyed the upper floors of two neighbouring buildings, under control.

Funding for a replacement school building for the Parkhurst Sunday School continued with a two-day bazaar. The existing 50-year-old building was too small and in dilapidated condition. The new building cost £700 and it was hoped that at least half this sum would be raised at the bazaar.

An unusual incident happened on the homeward voyage of the liner, Carisbrooke Castle. The letters for English passengers on the Lismore Castle had not arrived when they sailed from Cape Town, so the captain of the Carisbrooke Castle, sailing the following day, offered to deliver them en route. The Carisbrooke overtook the Lismore and dropped a barrel containing the letters into the sea, which the Lismore then picked up.

100 years ago, in September 1924:

Workers in all walks of life were advised to try medical tonics to ease the stresses and strains of modem life. People involved in all kinds of business activity suffering from extreme fatigue, flagging energy, headaches and depression were advised that the brain and nerve tonic "really works marvels of improvement and restoration".

75 years ago, in September 1949:

The expansion of the Island air transport to a point at which there would be a fully-equipped airport with night vision and other modern facilities was visualised at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Commercial director of Air Enterprises Ltd, P. May, said he could visualise the use of aircraft carrying as many as 60 people, but that Islanders would have to become air minded for any project to succeed.

The replacement of the university school and higher certificate examinations with the general certificates of education (GCE) raised administration problems for Island schools. The new system had three levels, ordinary for 16-year-olds, advanced for 18-year-olds and scholarship for those wishing to continue on to university.

Among visitors to the Island were a Scottish pipe band and 200 Dutch tourists. The Queenstown Scottish Pipe Band brought an unusual touch of colour to a variety of resorts, while the Dutch tourists enjoyed a round the Island trip, remarking particularly on the natural charms of Ventnor.

50 years ago, in September 1974:

Alarm was expressed at a meeting of Bonchurch Residents' Association at the increase of Dutch elm disease on the Island and the lack of positive action to contain it. Although diseased elms were being felled, some were not being disposed of properly, therefore increasing the risk to other trees.

The traffic in Newport came to a standstill for ten minutes when more than 30 farmers drove their farm vehicles through the town centre. It was one of 500 protests throughout the country drawing the public's attention to problems within the industry, with slogans such as 'We go - you go hungry."

The IW Gingerbread group decided to launch an adopt a granny scheme. The scheme would be of benefit to both lonely old people and to one-parent families.