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 fire at Rowlands Farm destroyed 200 tons of hay. Due to the lack of water available in a nearby pond and well, the fire raged all night and hundreds of people watched as tongues of fire threatened to spread to nearby buildings.

The Electric Light and Power Company was busy providing new lighting throughout Ventnor, including laying a cable to provide lighting for the Royal National Hospital in St Lawrence. The installation of the new public lighting was watched with interest by other Island towns.

A Newport bell ringer who was one of very few in the country to keep up the Norman custom of ringing the curfew, died. Climbing the stairs to the belfry during his duties at St Thomas' Church, Edwin Snow was once heard to say: "Whenever I go up these steps I think of the time when I shall mount the golden stairs".

100 years ago, in September 1924:

J. Samuel White and Co, in Cowes, was commissioned to construct a new motor lifeboat to be stationed at the RNLI in Yarmouth. The new boat, which would replace the one at Totland which often experienced launching difficulties, was 45ft long and, in addition to a full suit of sails, was fitted with an 80 horse power, six tinder engine.

Princess Beatrice joined thousands of spectators for the IW steeplechase at Ashey. Although she remained in her car, the princess displayed a keen interest in the racing and the police were pleased to note there was less of an undesirable element than at previous meets.

75 years ago, in October 1949:

A Ryde man was awarded the Mountbatten Medal of the British Institute of Radio Engineers for 1948. Richard Anthony Bassett, who served as a radio electrician on a mine sweeper in Malta throughout his studies, came second out of 500 candidates from all over the world in the graduate examinations.

Shanklin Roman Catholics gathered for the first time in a new, but temporary, structure on the site of the derelict Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was bombed in 1943. The bomb damaged tower and main entrance to the former imposing edifice were incorporated in the new building.

Two DH Rapide aircraft used on scheduled flights between the Island and Croydon were named The Shanklin and The Sandown after the two most popular resorts visited by the Londoners over the summer.

World champion coach-horn blower William Payne returned to his native Island to visit relatives, 55 years after he left. William shared his interest in coaches with his father Ned Payne who drove excursion coaches before becoming host at the Bugle Inn, Carisbrooke. He had previously acted as Queen Victoria's post boy at Osborne.

50 years ago, in September 1974:

The conclusion of a report by the local group Shelter was that the Island had a major crisis of homelessness on its hands. It was estimated that there were over 3,000 applicants on council accommodation lists and Shelter's casebooks included families living in beach huts and caravans in conditions of gross overcrowding.

Despite the sugar shortage, the IW Beekeepers' Association took delivery of nearly three tons of sugar to keep their bees alive and keep the honey flowing. The beekeepers were given a special allowance by the government to ensure the country's honey supplies are protected.