Island Echo dives into the news headlines from 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 90, 100 and 120 years ago, including a pair of identical twins from Brading who both broke their legs in the same PE lesson in December 1973.
30 years ago (1993)
ISLE OF WIGHT LUGER REPRESENTS BRITAIN AT LILLEHAMMER WINTER OLYMPICS Paul Hix was named as Britain’s sole luger in the Winter Olympics at Lillehammer. The 19-year-old student was brought up on the Isle of Wight but studied in Germany.
40 years ago (1983)
MOTHER FREED BY COURT OF APPEAL FROM 18-MONTH FRAUD SENTENCE Fraudster 36-year-old Jacqueline May Redmond was released from prison after the Appeal Court decided to suspend her sentence on account of her previous good character and children. Together with her husband Michael Anthony Redmond, Jacqueline traded meat on a substantial scale in Newport. The couple established 2 limited companies – which were put into liquidation with debts of £130,000 – before setting up a third. The appeal judge said there had been evidence of a luxurious lifestyle with substantial sums being spent on their home and on purchasing cars, including a Rolls Royce.
50 years ago (1973)
IDENTICAL TWINS BOTH BREAK A LEG DURING PE LESSON 13-year-old Brading identical twins Denise and Wendy Styles both broke their legs during a PE lesson at the school gym while vaulting. The accidents were said to have made life difficult for the twins but easier for everyone else to tell them apart as Denise broke her right leg and Wendy her left.
60 years ago (1963)
RIVER YAR FREEZES OVER FOR 3RD SUNDAY IN SUCCESSION The ‘big freeze’ of 1963 had already hit West Wight before the turn of the year with the River Yar remaining frozen for the 3rd successive Sunday.
70 years ago (1953)
MOUNTAINEER SIR EDMUND HILARY VISITS RYDE The 1st man to conquer Everest – New Zealander Edmund Hillary – gave a talk in a Ryde cinema on his conquest of the world’s highest peak. The talk was attended by an audience of 3,200. Hillary – together with his companion Sherpa Tensing – had reached ‘the top of the world on 29th March of that year.
90 years ago (1933)
STEAMER RUNS AGROUND AT COMPTON BAY The Fratton – a steamer of 757 tons bound for Southampton from Jersey – was grounded at Compton Bay. The sea was calm but the fog so thick that it was impossible to see the ship from the shore. The Fratton was aground for 8 hours before getting away under her own power and berthing in Southampton Docks.
100 years ago (1923)
CHILLERTON CHILDREN’S PERFECT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RECORD A school attendance record was set by a family of 5 children – 2 sons and 3 daughters – of Mr and Mrs L.C. Niblett of Chillerton Post Office, who all won the Isle of Wight Education Committee’s silver medal for perfect attendance during their school life. Mr B Saunders of the Education Committee congratulated the parents on this wonderful record of constancy, health and endeavour, and remarked that the mother was also deserving of a medal. All 5 children attended Chillerton School.
120 YEARS AGO (1903)
SUBMARINE STRIKES ISLE OF WIGHT FERRY The Isle of Wight packet Prince of Wales was struck by No 3 submarine in Portsmouth harbour at the waterline under the paddle-box and was beached at Southsea, leaking badly. The hole in the ship’s side was covered with a collision mat. There were around 20 passengers on board the vessel at the time of the collision, none of whom were injured.
