We take a look back at Isle of Wight news from previous decades for the week ending 30th September, from 30, 40, 60, 100 and 110 years ago.
30 years ago (1993)
HUMAN ‘GUINEA PIG’ FROM ISLE OF WIGHT COMPLETES 2-YEAR EXPERIMENT
Described as ‘gaunt but triumphant’ 31-year-old Jane Poynter – from the Isle of Wight – emerged from the glass dome of Biosphere 2 in which she had been sealed for the previous 2 years.
Jane had been incarcerated in a 3.15 acre mini-world in Arizona, United States, together with 7 other volunteers in an experimental project in self-sufficiency. The volunteers were to grow their own food and even create their own oxygen supply. However, they ran out of food and were forced to eat kidney beans and other items stocked as seed. Furthermore, oxygen was twice pumped into the biosphere, even though a sufficient supply had been planned through the interaction of plants and animals within the sealed environment.
POLICE SEARCH FOR ‘KINKY’ BATHER
The Daily Mirror reported that the police had launched a search for a missing bather after a pile of what was described as ‘kinky’ bondage gear – including a 38D basque – had been discovered on an Isle of Wight beach. The name of the beach was not disclosed.
40 years ago (1983)
ALCATRAZ-STYLE PRISON FOR ISLE OF WIGHT
Plans were put forward by Prison Governors at a meeting with Home Secretary Leon Brittan for a super-security Alcatraz-style prison here on the Isle of Wight. The purpose of the plan was to break the power of the gang bosses who ‘ruled’ many of Britain’s toughest jails by concentrating the most high-risk or violent prisoners in one place.
The secretary of the Prison Offices’ Association, David Evans, said: “At present, it’s the gang bosses who impose ruthless discipline on prisoners.”
60 years ago (1963)
PARTS OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT BECOME AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
The unspoiled areas of the Isle of Wight were given protection under orders made by the National Parks Commission and confirmed by the Minister of Housing and local government.
The areas of the Island given protection included much of the coastline, the West Yar valley, the high downland behind Ventnor, much of West Wight extending to the Needles, and the chalk downland ridge from Newport to Culver Cliff in the East.
100 years ago (1923)
MEMORIAL TO FALLEN HEROES OF GREAT WAR
Princess Beatrice – daughter of Queen Victoria and Royal Governor of the Isle of Wight – unveiled a beautiful stained glass window at Whippingham Church in memory of the men of the parish who fell in the Great War of 1914-18. Beatrice’s son Prince Maurice had been killed at Ypres in the first year of the war. The church contained the tomb of Beatrice’s husband Henry.
110 years ago (1903)
MYSTERY OF BODY WASHED OUT TO SEA SOLVED
The body of a man picked up at Hayling Island carrying a tobacco pouch bearing the initials ‘R.G.’ was identified as Robert Goulding of Peckham Rye London. Mr Goulding had been driven out to sea on the night of the ‘great gale’ of 10th September while on a yacht with Mr E. Eagle of East Dulwich. The pair had set sail from Bembridge. Neither had been heard of since the night of the storm.
