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 November 1899:

Spanish violinist Sarasate visited the Island and performed to packed audiences at Ryde. He played works by Bach and Chopin as well as three compositions he had written himself, which he dedicated to the Queen Regent of Spain.

The mayoress opened a new pumping engine at Ryde Waterworks, Knighton. The new machine could raise 600,000 gallons of water in 10 hours to a static height of 260 feet.

Heavy gales wrought damage to the Freshwater district. A portion of a house in Colwell Bay, occupied by Mrs Janes, was blown down, while heavy seas caused havoc in the hay.

100 years ago, in November 1924:

An empty motor coach crashed through the principal window of Messrs Purnell and Purnell's premises, High Street, Ryde. The vehicle. which belonged to Mr Cooper of Brighstone, had been left unattended for a few minutes, when it began to roll backwards towards the window. It was the second time the window had been broken; last time the vibration of heavy vehicles passing had been the cause.

An inquest was held into the death of farm labourer Frank Newberry, 70, after his body was found near the railway line at Chillingworth, near Havenstreet. He had left the Lake Huron pub to walk home and his body was found the following morning near a railway bridge known as Cattlearch. It was ascertained that he had fallen from the 13-foot bridge onto the cattle track below.

75 years ago, in November 1949:

Clothing, footwear and haberdashery were destroyed by a fire at Messrs Holdaway-and Son, High Street, Wroxall. Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to living quarters, but £2,000 worth of stock, including a newly arrived Christmas consignment, was destroyed.

Southern Vectis was given permission to use double-decker buses on the Undercliff Road between Ventnor and Niton. Some trees needed to be felled and this caused a storm of protest from environmentalists.

50 years ago, in November 1974:

Four coins that had not seen the light of day for over 100 years were discovered at Yarmouth CE Primary School. The silver coins, which were in excellent condition, were found by workmen Brian Lowe and Chris Hall during re-modelling work at the school.

Island farmers, angry over the collapse in beef prices, called for the resignation of the minister of agriculture, Fred Pearl. Some members of the Island branch of the National Farmers' Union said that they believed Mr Pearl had encouraged more farmers to produce beef and overproduction had reduced prices to the consumer.