We take a look back at Isle of Wight news from previous decades for the week ending 7th October from 30, 40, 60 and 110 years ago.
30 years ago (1993)
SHANKLIN COUNCIL BUYS CLOCK TO GIVE RESIDENTS GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Shanklin Town Council asked to buy the town clock from Medina Borough Council to allow its residents undisturbed sleep. The Town Council believed the move necessary as the clock was chiming 17 times at midnight.
YORKSHIRE RIPPER PETER SUTCLIFFE LEAVES PARKHURST FOR COURT HEARING
Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe had a rare opportunity to leave his prison cell in Parkhurst Top Security Prison when he left to give evidence in court against fellow prisoner James Costello, who was accused of attacking him. 37-year-old Sutcliffe was serving life for the murders of 13 women.
40 years ago (1983)
TABLE TENNIS ‘WONDER BOY’ TURNS PROFESSIONAL
Isle of Wight table tennis star Carl Prean announced his intention to turn professional, ending his opportunity to play in future Olympic games (which were then amateur). Carl had already received prize money by winning 2 major tournaments in the West Indies that summer. He said he would confirm his status after leaving his Ryde school.
ISLAND GIRL WINS ‘MISS PHOTOGENIC’ BEAUTY CONTEST IN TOKYO
Miss England, 20-year-old Nicola Stanley from the Isle of Wight, was crowned the winner of the Miss Photogenic International Beauty Pageant held in Tokyo, Japan. She was chosen from 42 contestants by 70 reporters and photographers from around the world.
70 years ago (1953)
FIRE SEVERELY DAMAGES RYDE MANSION
A fire severely damaged the south-west part of an East Upton country house near Ryde. The 30-roomed mansion had previously been owned by Edward Carter, High Sheriff of Hampshire, who died in 1931. It was subsequently been occupied by his 3 spinster daughters but hadn’t been fully lived in for 5 years.
WORTHING MAN GASSED HIMSELF WHILE FAMILY TOOK DAY TRIP TO ISLE OF WIGHT
54-year-old Worthing man Arthur Scutt committed suicide by putting his head in a gas oven while his wife and son were away on a day trip to the Isle of Wight.
The inquest heard that when mother and son arrived home, they found the doors locked and smelt gas. Mr. Scutt was found on the floor with his head partly in the oven and the gas full on. A suicide note was found under the clock in the kitchen.
The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide by domestic coal gas poisoning while the balance of the mind was disturbed.
110 years ago (1913)
FRESHWATER BELLRINGERS GO ON STRIKE
The bellringers at All Saints Freshwater decided to go on strike because they had not been invited to the choir outing. The bells were rung by a mechanical device that had been installed by the rector during a previous strike.
COWES TRAIN DERAILED BY COW
A train running on the banks of the Medina between Cowes and Newport struck and killed a cow. Carriages were derailed, and there was a considerable delay before the train could proceed on its journey. All passengers escaped without serious injury.
