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Restore The Story CIC
Not-for-profit CIC on the Isle of Wight uncovering, preserving & sharing local history through immersive tours, talks, exhibitions & projects. We bring forgotten places & hidden stories back to life for communities & visitors alike.
Have you ever wondered what the brick turret vent was for in the field in Wroxall? ![]()
See this post for the answer, with some brilliant photos of the Ventnor tunnel and air shaft.This is the first of our two multi-image posts on the solitary ventilator shaft for the 1,312 yard Ventnor Tunnel.![]()
It is situated roughly a third of the way in from the Wroxall (northern) end, and still exists today, the top a little way off a public footpath.![]()
TOP LEFT: I took two shots of the top of the shaft as W16 ‘Ventnor’ passed beneath on the afternoon of Saturday 16 April 1966, the penultimate day of trains to Ventnor.![]()
One of those is quite well known as it has appeared in various places.![]()
This one however, the second shot, has rarely, if ever, appeared in public.![]()
(Photo Derek Gawn)![]()
TOP RIGHT: this is how the top of the shaft looks today, with hugely increased security to deter any thrill seeking activities, whilst still allowing access to the thousands of bats who call the tunnel home.![]()
(Photo Andrew John Sim)![]()
BOTTOM LEFT: a rather stunning modern view from below, looking up the shaft.![]()
I find it somewhat amazing to study the intricate brickwork and think that it was built by Victorian ‘navvies’ one-and-a-half centuries ago (1864 to 1866).![]()
(Photo David Nie, taken with authorised access)![]()
BOTTOM RIGHT: here we are below the shaft, looking north along the straight middle section of the tunnel.![]()
The concrete trunking to the left contains the sewerage piping, whilst to the right is the water main for Ventnor.![]()
I sense that you can still see the indents in the surface where the sleepers once laid, along with a sooty deposit in places on the roof.![]()
It was sixty years ago that a train last passed through here.![]()
(Photo David Nie, taken with authorised access)![]()
(Composite created by Colin Fairweather)
Today we remember and celebrate the birthday of Alan Turing, born on 23rd June 1912. If he were alive today, he would be 114 years old.![]()
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Widely regarded as one of the fathers of modern computing and artificial intelligence, Turing’s brilliant mind helped change the course of history during the Second World War. Working at Bletchley Park, he played a crucial role in helping decrypt the German Enigma code, work that is believed to have shortened the war by years and saved countless lives. ![]()
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From the wartime codebreaking huts of Bletchley Park to the foundations of modern computers and AI, Alan Turing’s legacy continues to shape the world we live in today.![]()
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A true wartime hero, visionary, and genius whose story deserves to be remembered.![]()
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#AlanTuring #OnThisDay #BletchleyPark #WW2History #Enigma #Codebreaker #MilitaryHistory #SecondWorldWar #History #ArtificialIntelligence #ComputerScience #RememberingHistory
Still a few spaces left on tours this Saturday 13th June at 11 and 2 at Steynewood. Join us to exolore and discover the history of this unique well preserved high angle battery and Thorneycroft test tank. This site is in private hands and only accessible via our guided tours. There are tours in July and August aswell. To secure your place, please visit our website. www.restorecic.org![]()
#isleofwighthistory #localhistory #IsleOfWight #islandlife #fort #thornycroft #steynewood
🎉 2,000 Followers! 🎉![]()
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We are incredibly grateful to have reached the milestone of 2,000 followers on our page.![]()
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Whether you've been with us from the very beginning or have only recently discovered Restore The Story CIC, thank you for being part of our journey. Your support means more than you may realise.![]()
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Over the years, we've welcomed thousands of people to our guided tours, exhibitions, talks, projects, and events. Every like, share, comment, ticket purchased, conversation had, and recommendation made helps us continue uncovering and sharing the fascinating stories of the Isle of Wight's past.![]()
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If you are new to Restore The Story CIC, we invite you to explore our Facebook page and visit our website to see what we have been up to. From exhibitions and historical talks to research projects, guided tours, restoration work, and community events, it gives a real insight into the work we do and the stories we are passionate about sharing.![]()
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As a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, everything we do is driven by a passion for local history and heritage. Your support helps us continue researching, preserving, and bringing those stories to life for everyone to enjoy.![]()
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To our regular supporters who attend event after event, and to those who have only just joined us – welcome. We're delighted to have you with us and we're excited to share what we have planned next.![]()
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Here's to the next chapter, and thank you for hel#restorethestoryt#thankyour#2000followersS#isleofwighthistory0#localhistoryl#CommunityHeritageocalHistory #CommunityHeritage
Restore The Story CIC now has a YouTube channel!![]()
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We’ll be uploading historical footage and videos that we have obtained or been kindly donated, helping preserve and share history for everyone to enjoy.![]()
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If there is something you would like to see uploaded, or footage you think should be shared, please get in touch.![]()
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Please subscribe, share the videos and help support the preservation of local history.![]()
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📺 www.youtube.com/@RestoreTheStoryCIC
Can anyone help?![]()
We would like to be put in contact with the owners of this upper flat on Ryde Esplanade. ![]()
Our enquiry is regarding the history of this building.![]()
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Feel free to tag and share.
6 June 2026 — 82 Years Since D-Day![]()
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This map shows the Solent and Isle of Wight anchorage areas on the eve of D-Day, June 1944, during Operation Neptune, the naval phase of the Normandy Landings.![]()
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For those living on the Island at the time, the sight was unforgettable. The Solent was said to be so full of ships that “you could walk to the mainland without getting your feet wet.” Then, almost overnight, they were gone… sailing south toward Normandy and history.![]()
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From Yarmouth to Ryde, and across to Portsmouth and Gosport, thousands of vessels gathered in carefully organised assembly areas before the launch of the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever seen.![]()
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Operation Neptune by the numbers:![]()
• Nearly 7,000 vessels took part![]()
• Around 156,000 Allied troops landed on D-Day itself![]()
• Over 11,000 aircraft supported the operation![]()
• Approximately 4,000 landing craft and assault vessels crossed the Channel![]()
• Thousands of vehicles, tanks and tons of equipment departed from ports and anchorages across Southern England, including the Solent and Isle of Wight waters![]()
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The Isle of Wight played a vital role in the build-up to D-Day. The Island became part of a huge military staging area, with troops, equipment and convoys constantly moving through its roads, ports and coastline in the weeks leading up to 6 June 1944.![]()
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Prime Minister Winston Churchill later described the operation as:![]()
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“Undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place.”![]()
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Today, 82 years on, we remember not only the scale of the operation, but the people who witnessed it here in the Solent, and the thousands who never returned.![]()
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#DDay82 #OperationNeptune #IsleOfWight #Solent #WW2History #NormandyLandings #DdayAnniversary #MilitaryHistory #RememberThem #IsleOfWightHistory #OnThisDay #OperationOverlord #isleofwight #WW2
We're delighted to announce that Restore the Story CIC will be returning to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's 1940s Experience on 4 & 5 July 2026!![]()
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We'll be bringing a brand-new exhibition exploring the Island's wartime history, along with what may be one of the most exciting historical items we've ever had the privilege to display.![]()
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For now, we're keeping the details a secret… 👀![]()
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Let's just say it's a remarkable piece of Isle of Wight history that many never expected to see return to the Island.![]()
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Read more here:![]()
www.restorecic.org/restore-the-story-returns-to-the-1940s-experience-at-the-isle-of-wight-steam-r…![]()
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#RestoreTheStory #IsleOfWightHistory #1940sExperience #WW2History #Havenstreet #IsleOfWightSteamRailway #LocalHistory