LOOK BACK IN TIME: 1 March 1856
Isle of Wight ObserverMuch like today, mid‑19th‑century residents were frustrated over rising utility costs. In Victorian Ryde, people were already challenging what they…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 15 February 1919
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 15th February 1919 reported on a new transport service which it was hoped…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 8 February 1902
This reader’s letter published in the Isle of Wight Observer on 8th February, 1902 tackled the tricky problem of how…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 2 February 1901
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 2nd February 1901 reported on why magistrates were late arriving in court and…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 19 January 1901
We enjoyed this reader’s letter sent to the Isle of Wight Observer published on January 19th, 1901. The writer, who…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 12 January 1901
This extract from the Isle of Wight Observer published on 12th January, 1901 shows that debate about a Solent tunnel…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 5 January 1901
This message to readers which appeared in the Isle of Wight Observer, published on 5th January, 1901, with the exception…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 16 December 1854
We thought this report of some innovative ideas for dealing with sewage would amuse our readers. It appeared 171 years…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 7 December 1889
This entry from the Isle of Wight Observer published on December 7th, 1889 tell how readers of “The Standard” –…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 28 November 1863
This curious tale appeared in the Isle of Wight Observer of 28th November 1863. In those days carriers and their…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 20 November 1920
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 20th November 1920 tells the sad tale of the demise of Robert Mitchell,…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 14 November 1863
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 14th November, 1863 carried this complaint about the police. WHAT ARE THE POLICE…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 10 November 1855
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 10th November, 1855 contained this report of a proposed ferry service between Ryde…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 29 October 1859
More than 165 years ago the debate was raging about whether the Isle of Wight should share services with Hampshire,…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 27 October 1888
One hundred and thirty-seven years ago this week the Isle of Wight Observer published on 27th October 1888 a description…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 20 October 1855
This gruesome entry about a cold-blooded murder in Southampton appeared in the Isle of Wight Observer published on 20th October…
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