Time was fast running out for a clock at Ascot Racecourse in 1978, but luckily, local firm Mumford and Canning, were on hand to make sure the iconic timepiece was accurate for the Royal meeting.
The massive clock, with weights of 4 cwt. each, was given a service and Leslie Mumford told the Bracknell News: “We give it a thorough maintenance every year and a good greasing and polish, outside of Windsor Castle it’s the finest turret clock in the area and should keep going for a few years yet.”
Cordes Hall Spring Fayre, organised by the Quince Players, invited the Queen’s celebrated dressmaker, Sir Norman Hartnell, to officially open the festivities.
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DRESS TO IMPRESS: Sir Norman Hartnell opened Cordes Hall Fayre
The Fayre raised more than £1,400 and the proceeds were to be used in installing (much needed) central heating and materials to redecorate the hall inside and out.
Ever eager to get a scoop, the Bracknell News decided that a reporter should be ‘embedded’ during a night duty in the town. This ‘great idea’ did not produce the desired results, following a sleepless night for the cub reporter he only ‘scooped’ a false burglar alarm call, and a trivial incident that was over by the time they arrived.
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PC John Oblein told the News: “It’s not all like television, but there’s always the unexpected, not knowing what lies around the corner.”
Wokingham’s ancient mace and Mayor’s chain of office was shown to a group of twin town visitors from Erftstadt, Germany, as part of their brief visit to the town.
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Herbert Biddle, the Mayor’ attendant chatted to the youngsters about the mace and the chains of office before the party headed out into the town for a short tour.
A sudden thunderstorm sent them hurrying for shelter and into their coach for an evening touring the bright lights of London.
A bulldog called ‘Jaws’ formed part of Ascot’s carnival procession in 1978 and he rode in splendour with brothers Richard and Scott Wharton, from Crowthorne.
The parade took off from the High Street on a very hot day, so the two brothers wisely included a canine parasol to keep the sun off him.
Felix Farm, in Binfield, played host to the Southern Counties Heavy Horse Show and drew in thousands of visitors, some seeking a sentimental trip down memory lane.
Various breeds of heavy horse were on show, including Clydesdales, Shires, Suffolks and Percherons, many farmers were keen to show that these animals still had a job to do on their farms.
In all more than forty heavy horses were on show, making it the largest gathering of its type in the South of England.
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