25-05-2025
Islander purchases fake mummy from Cairo and more in the County Press archives
The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by.
125 years ago, in May 1900:
Cowes infants celebrated the relief of Mafeking, a breakthrough in the Boer War, by dressing up in warlike garb and marching in procession to Holy Trinity Vicarage and on to St Mary's Vicarage, where they sang the National Anthem.
Some £45 worth of gold was stolen from a property in Dodnor Lane whilst the owners were out celebrating the relief of Mafeking.
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Captain Seely was returned to parliament as the Island's Liberal MP.
An Islander travelling in Çairo purchased a 'genuine' mummy, and for £20 was able to transport it home. But on closer examination, the so-called artefact contained copies of 1898 newspapers, stones and copious quantities of bullrushes.
100 years ago, in May 1925:
The 124-year-old ketch, Bee, had made 40,000 trips between Southampton and Cowes.
A proposition to save the crumbling cliff path between Sandown and Shanklin by employing a series of groynes was put before Sandown District Council.
75 years ago, in May 1950:
Wartime radio traitor Gerald Hewitt was released from Parkhurst Prison after serving a sentence for making broadcasts on behalf of the Germans from Berlin and Paris.
Yarmouth police went to the rescue of two runaway boys from London, who telephoned them saying: "Please, we want to give ourselves up." They had run away that morning, and after spending the night in the care of the police, were put on a train home.
A witness at the County Petty Sessions at Ryde swore that the evidence he would give "might be the truth", amid much laughter.
50 years ago, in May 1975:
Sixteen-year-old Janet Rann was the latest member of the magical Randini family to be accepted into the International Brotherhood of Magicians. She had been assisting her father, John, since the age of nine.
25 years ago, in May 2000:
Six Southern Vectis vehicles were withdrawn from service after pupils completing their GCSEs vandalised them, mostly with flour and eggs.
