THE WEEK THAT WAS: A LOOK BACK AT NEWS FROM PAST DECADES: WEEK ENDING 18TH NOVEMBER

Island Echo takes a look back at the local headlines from 30, 50, 60, 70, 90, 100, 110 and 120 years ago, including a man sentenced to a 6-month term of imprisonment a day before he was due to get married.

30 years ago (1993)

COMPUTER GAMES CAUSING ASTHMA ATTACKS IN CHILDREN Dr Kieron Cooney of the Department of Paediatrics at St Mary’s Hospital issued a warning to parents after treating a girl of 10 who had an acute asthma attack while playing a battle computer game. The doctor blamed the effects of intense concentration and excitement for the attack.

50 years ago (1973)

HOVERTRAVEL PLANS FOR HOVER ACROSS THE MERSEY The Isle of Wight-based Hovercraft company Hovertravel announced they still intended to introduce a service across the Mersey. However, their plans were hampered by the lack of a suitable  landing area on the Liverpool bank of the Mersey. DOG HANDLER FOILS PARKHURST PRISON ESCAPE ATTEMPT An escape attempt from Parkhurst Prison was foiled by a sharp-eyed dog handler, who spotted a rope dangling from a wall. The prison officer foiled the escape bid by waiting at the bottom of the rope.

60 years ago (1963)

PARENTS OF NEWPORT THALIDOMIDE VICTIM TAKE DISTRIBUTORS, CHEMISTS AND DOCTOR TO COURT The parents of 1-year-old Richard Satherley – who was born without arms after his mother took the thalidomide drug during pregnancy – brought a High Court case against Distillers, who marketed the German-made drug, the doctor who prescribed the drug, and the chemists who sold it. Richard’s father – librarian Edward Satherley – was a founder member of the Society for the Aid of Thalidomide children in Britain.

70 years ago (1953)

NEWPORT (IOW) MAKE 1ST ROUND OF FA CUP Hampshire League champions Newport (IoW) battled their way to the 1st round proper of the FA Cup for the 2nd year in succession by beating Chippenham United 3-1 at Church Litten. Newport captain Jock Anderson played a key role in the victory by scoring the opening goal. Anderson had previously won a Cup Final medal with Portsmouth in 1939. Newport’s remaining 2 goals were scored by Mitchell. The Port – who had won 51 times in 55 games – went on to play Swindon Town in the next round for the 2nd year in succession.

90 years ago (1933)

PRISON SENTENCE PREVENTS WEDDING 34-year-old Charles Gillingham was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for obtaining 2 quantities of scrap metal – valued at £17 7s and £1 5s – on the Monday of the week ending 18th November. Gillingham was to have been married on the Tuesday of that week, but the ceremony did not take place. The metal dealer pleaded with the bench to fine him rather than send him to prison. When the sentence of the court was pronounced, Gillingham asked:

“May I have permission to get married, in charge of a a Police Officer?”

The mayor, (Councillor J.L. Mitchell) replied:

“We have decided nothing about that. It is for the Police to determine.”

After the court hearing, Gillingham and his fiancee – Grace Renfold – were allowed to see each other at the Police Station in the presence of officials. The prisoner was than taken to Ryde, en route to Winchester prison. He waved a cheery goodbye to his intended bride, who tearfully watched the police car drive away from Newport Police Station.

100 years ago (1923)

SWIM FOR A SMOKE A young sailor was reported to have swam half-a-mile to the shore and back through a strong current and choppy seas to purchase a packet of cigarettes. The sailor was employed on a trading schooner held up at Yarmouth by adverse winds. He returned back to his ship after placing his purchase in a bottle.

110 years ago (1913)

DEATH OF WIRELESS PIONEER WILLIAM PREECE Sir William Preece – who was often called the “Father of Wireless Telegraphy” – died in Caernarvon, Wales, aged 79. Sir William was said to have been carrying out experiments with wireless when Marconi was still in his infancy. In 1876, Mr Preece succeeded in telegraphing across the Solent when the cable to the Isle of Wight had broken down.

120 years ago (1903)

BRITISH FLEET WELCOME KING AND QUEEN OF ITALY The King and Queen of Italy received a Royal welcome from the British Fleet as they drew near the white cliffs of the Isle of Wight. 4 large cruisers and 2 torpedo boat destroyers acted as escorts to the King’s yacht, the Victoria and Albert, which had conveyed the royal couple to Britain. Within the defences of the Solent forts, the home fleet drew up in 3 symmetrical lines. There were plenty of signs of welcome ashore. All the coastguard stations on the Isle of Wight flaunted the most brazen colours to the breeze. From Foreland and Culver Cliff, this old Roman stronghold sent a note of glad welcome to the Royal squadron, and flags were hoisted over public buildings and private houses.