Slough Express - Archive History

Remember, Remember When: The ghosts and guys of November

1973: A group of boys from Desborough School Rowing Club set off on a cold, misty morning at 6am to row from Maidenhead Bridge to Caversham. The group of six – David Gibbard, David Meanwell, Julian Scrace, Michael Harlow, James Lawther, Simon Harris ...

02 Nov 2018 at 15:45

Remember When: Cobbler who filled ancestors' shoes retires after 49 years

1993: A fully-equipped gym and new classrooms were unveiled at Cookham Dean Primary School. The equipment was unveiled by chairman of governors, the Rev John Copping and the vicar of Cookham Dean. The new wooden flooring in the gym meant PE classes ...

15 Oct 2018 at 12:55

Remember When: When the town's five secondary schools turned comprehensive

1973: Cox Green, Furze Platt, Altwood, Desborough and Newlands schools in Maidenhead were venturing into new territory after transitioning into comprehensive education. Maurice Edwards, headteacher of Altwood School (main picture), said he and his ...

21 Sept 2018 at 10:21

Remember When: Twins land burlesque roles and biker in trouble for DIY helmet

1978: Retired architect Andrea Gigli, from Bray, tore up his driving licence when Maidenhead magistrates convicted him for riding his moped while wearing a plastic mixing bowl as a helmet. Mr Gilgi staged the protest in court after receiving a ...

14 Sept 2018 at 09:43

Remember When: Youngsters head for the pool on the hottest September day

1973: The long, hot summer continued as the temperature soared to 86 degrees fahrenheit (30 degrees celsius) – the hottest September day since records began in 1944. Youngsters made their way to the Cookham Road pool to cool down. 1973: Girls ...

07 Sept 2018 at 14:02

Remember When: Annual village fairs wowed the crowds as they still do today

1968: Champagne corks were popped to mark the maiden voyage of Vanity Fair II at Turk’s boathouse in Cookham. A vessel of its type, made of mahogany and constructed using only copper nails and brass screws, had not been built at the ...

03 Sept 2018 at 12:10

Remember When: Full steam ahead for biggest vehicle rally in the South-east

1978: The two-day Knowl Hill Steam Rally, which took place for the ninth time, attracted even more steam tractors and showmen’s engines than usual (main picture). The event, the biggest of its kind in the South-east, attracted ...

21 Aug 2018 at 17:56

Remember When: Swan Uppers set sail and Berks welcomed its first firewoman

1968: It took more than a high, fast-running river to keep the Swan Uppers from their traditional ceremony (main picture). They arrived at Boulters Lock on schedule, having had the benefit of an occasional tow in the lower ...

20 Jul 2018 at 11:47

Remember When: Gunpowder, gun-fighting and a gung-ho girl with a will to win

1968: TV newsreader and presenter Michael Aspel was the star guest at a wine and cheese garden party at Altwood Hayes, in Altwood Road. He helped organise a tombola at the event, which raised £300 for the National Society ...

13 Jul 2018 at 15:50

Remember When: Kittens, donkeys, scarecrows, owls... and a Big Friendly Giant

1973: The fanfare was the star spectacle of St Joseph’s international fete in Altwood Road. ‘La Renaissance’, from Quevaucamps in Belgium, featured a 50-strong brass band with 24 boy and girl drummers and 30 majorettes. ...

06 Jul 2018 at 15:49

Remember When: DIY went very badly wrong and Vikings conquered the carnival

1983: Society hairdresser ‘Teasie Weasie’ Raymond made the headlines at Royal Ascot. The celebrity had announced he would wear a royal blue morning coat but had been asked to reconsider by a representative of the Queen....

15 Jun 2018 at 14:22

Remember When: Pull the udder one - kids learn how to milk a plastic cow

1983: A five-year-old girl, her playmate, dad and uncle had a lucky escape when a large bough snapped off an oak tree in strong winds and fell within feet of them in their Fane Way garden. Only minutes earlier, little ...

08 Jun 2018 at 09:42

Remember When: Crowds flocked to outdoor pool and nuclear bunker was for sale

1973: Music was in the minds of more than 30 girls at the Convent of the Nativity, in College Avenue, Maidenhead, after a Melody Makers group was formed. Originally a ‘strum-along’ club for guitars, it rapidly ...

01 Jun 2018 at 14:17

Remember When: Councillor's career kicked off and town's clock went electric

1973: Veteran Tory councillor Clive Bullock kicked off his political career by standing in the local elections for the new Windsor and Maidenhead District Council – as an independent. Clive and running mate ...

25 May 2018 at 13:40

Remember When: Books carpeted a library floor and goats were at the baaaah

1968: Only the most dedicated swimmers braved the chilly weather in May as the swimming pool in Cookham Road opened for the season. It didn’t stop Jean MacDonald and Susan Wyman jumping straight in for a ...

18 May 2018 at 14:53

Remember When: Magic dust gives a boost to giant broccoli

1978: Magician Don Ricardo, better known as ‘Don the Magic Bunny Man’, was claiming a vegetable in his garden was the biggest in Berkshire. The blue sprouting broccoli measured 3ft 6ins across and ...

11 May 2018 at 14:28

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