Bracknell Nostalgia - What was life like 32 years ago?

One of the stand out stories from the first year of the 1990s saw several green fingered enthusiasts show off their fine array of stunning plants.

Notably, two Bracknell residents in Joan Seaton and Chris Owens revealed to the public that they each own some of the tallest sun flowers in the country.

Joan Seaton and her very tall sunflower

Chris Owens with his tall plant back in 1990

Mr Owens’ plant grew to be around 10 feet tall, whilst Mrs Seaton’s sunflower stood at a whopping 12 feet when they were last measured.

When speaking on her massive sunflower, Mrs Seaton said she ‘she was just lucky’ in how tall her plant grew.

Another feelgood story from the time was Joseph Till, a devout Christian from the area, decided to build one of the UK’s most notable cathedrals.

Mr Till, who was 69 at the time, created St David’s Cathedral in Wales with nothing but matchsticks.

Joseph Till and his matchstick project

The Christian was inspired by prayer and a strong religious faith, the pensioner took three hours a day to create the model which was made of up more than 150,000 matches and glue.

He was confronted by many problems while building the most cathedral during his retirement, and the recent hot weather that summer caused a section between the spires to become twisted.

However, he managed to come through this and succeeded in his quest.

Around about the same time, the Royal County of Berkshire mounted a special training course to teach volunteers from the St John Ambulance service how to defibrillators and other resuscitation techniques.

The course was well-received with many volunteers several people passing with flying colours.

Many volunteers passed their exams in 1990

Another feel good story from the area was that one of the town’s canine friends was awarded for his bravery.

Tyson the German Shepherd helped the local police catch several vandals wrecking decorative flowerbed in Bracknell.

After catching up with the vandals, Tyson was awarded with Bracknell Good Dog Campaign.

To say well done to the pooch, Tyson was given a big, juicy bone for his efforts.

Bill Inge, of the Council’s landscape department which planted the display was very grateful to Tyson.

One child enjoys a day with two furry friends

He said: “We gave him this bone as a present as a way to say thank you and of course to highlight this year’s Good Dog Campaign.”

That same month also saw a Bracknell woman in Barbra Tagg become the employee of the month in August 1990 at the John Nike’s Leisure Complex, where she was given several bottles of wine for get great work.

Barbra Tagg with her winnings after being named as Employee of the Month

In other light-hearted news, several firefighters took part in local fundraisers and Ronald McDonald also made an appearance in Berkshire.

A firefighter's fundraiser in Bracknell

Ronald McDonald poses for a picture in Berkshire

Finally, one of the saddest stories from the time saw many people pay tribute to a local teacher.

Joan Cheetham, who was a teacher at Bracknell’s Brakenhale School for 20 years, sadly died in August 1990 at the Thames Valley Hospice.

Speaking about the much-loved teacher, her husband, Rex, said: “I just wanted everyone who knew her to realise what kind of person she was.

“Half of them did not realise she was which ill which showed what courage she had.

Joan Cheetham passed away in 1990

“She never complained or grumbled and was so positive about life.

“She lived it to the fullest.”

As well as leaving behind her husband, she also left behind he then seven-year-old daughter, Anna.