Curiosities of the Isle of Wight 30th Sept 2025 Facts Fiction and Fantasy With free teas coffees, cheese scones and rock cakes as a welcome to members ably served by Vickie, Bill Rasmussen, Chris Batchelor and Dee Brackstone washing up. Mark Earps entertained a gathering of 30 members at the Arreton Village Hall in what proved a very interesting talk. The “Facts” were regarding Follies built around the island. Swainston Manor with its Doric columns which once stood in front of a grand house in the grounds. Appley Tower at Ryde, Spencer’s Road Great Arched Gate. The Freemantle gate at Godshill. The “Kone”at St Mary’s Hospital was humorously described , but £37,000 was seriously spent on an artifact which stopped working after a week. There were many others all having a story to tell. Further reference to “Automalia” where the first car on the Island was owned by Dr Bailey of Hale Common in 1901 which was a De Dion Bouton. His son was later fined for speeding at 12mph and received a fine of £12 equal to around £200 today. The Island railways featured, further branch lines were proposed on various parts of the island which never materialised, principally due to cost. One was proposed to link to the existing line and link from Whitwell to Chale and along inland from the Military Road to Freshwater, a real scenic route if it had been built and there today. Some Miscellany, was described, there is a claim that Doughnuts were invented on the Isle of Wight at Westmores Bakery Newport in 1861, but it was found they were being enjoyed in Holland much earlier, nevertheless, they were probably the first on the Island. The Hovercraft passenger service started in 1964 is the longest running in the world The IoW and South Hampshire were the first area to have an OS map produced The IoW has the most public footpaths per Sq. Mile than anywhere else in the UK The first “Conker” fight in the UK was held here in 1848 Ryde Carnival started in 1888 is the oldest in UK. Ryde Pier is the oldest in England built 1814, only Scotland has older piers but have now fallen into decay. Plessey were the first company to develop Fibre Optic Cables in 1973 These and many more interesting features and curiosities were explained. All in all, a very well attended and enjoyable talk. We look forward to Part 3 on Friday October 8th the at the same venue. Many thanks to all who supported the talk.