Ventnor was bathed in glorious sunshine in the Summer of 1933, causing September heath fires to blaze across the South of the Island.
Global warming did not start in the 21st century, apparently. 90 years ago Ventnor headed the sunshine list for England during June, July and August with 844 hours during the sunniest Summer period since 1911 – 6 hours ahead of the resort’s closest rival, Southsea.
The Isle of Wight Mercury of 15th September 1933 reported Ventnor Fire Brigade being summoned to a heath fire in Backgang. Later – the very same day – Ventnor firefighters were dispatched to Chale, where gorse and bracken were ablaze, threatening 2 cottages near Pyle Farm.
The situation of 1 of the thatched cottages – which was threatened by a bank of blazing furze only a few feet away – was judged sufficiently serious for the furniture to be removed by neighbours. Fortunately, the actions of the fire brigade and local people successfully prevented the flames from reaching the cottages.
The following afternoon, a further blaze occurred on the cliffs close to the former St Lawrence Railway Station. Later that day, dense clouds of smoke wafted across Upper Ventnor as the gorse on St Boniface Down caught fire in several places. Luckily, the wind direction prevented the fire from spreading down into the town itself.
The St Boniface fire was said to have created a fine spectacle for observers on Ventnor Pier. The flames rose from the summit to a considerable height, giving the down almost the appearance of a volcano.
The South Wight heath fires ceased abruptly after heavy rainfall over subsequent days. The ‘climate emergency’ failed to appear again in South Wight until the late 20th century.
Ah, funny comment about climate change. Thanks for the great reporting IE.
Yes he is spot on. How the past is conveniently forgotten.
No, can’t be true, heatwaves are a recent thing caused by all the cars on the road, ask all the climate change “experts”. Of course, there were so many vehicles on the road in the early 1900’s weren’t there!
How was this possible? 90 years ago the climate cult did not exist.
For ffs, that’s inconvenient history, quick now, it must be airbrushed away!!
Except we are now getting heatwaves every other year.
That is because Billy G is playing with the Sun to change the
Weather conditions so people believe the climate b@llocks
just like they believed the Bat Crap in C hina
Don’t let the Government know they might extend the ULEZ
charge to the Island
Lol
The problem with climate scientists is that they are concerned with facts. We readers, guided by this clever author, have more powers of analysis at our disposal!