When Beyonce and Phil Mitchell came to town – We delve into our archives to see what was going on ‘Back in the Day’
Back in the day….for the latest instalment of our online series, we delve into our archives to see what was going on 10 years ago, 25 years ago and 50 years ago this week.
If you have any photos or memories you would like to share with us, please email us at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk
10 years ago – March 13, 2014: Beyoncé heli row
The owners of a property in which is it understood Beyoncé stays and flies in and out of during UK/European concert tours, are being investigated for allegedly building a helipad in breach of planning laws.
Last year, the NWN reported that the international star
was staying on the estate, where neighbours had been sworn to secrecy, for the northern European leg of her tour.
Far from keeping a low profile, the star went shopping in Mothercare on Newbury Retail Park, spoke to shoppers and handed out tickets to her sell-out London concerts.
The singer’s stay on the Hampshire/Berkshire border coincided with a flurry of helicopter activity above the village.
It is these flights, including those late at night, that triggered a recent complaint to East Woodhay Parish Council, whose February 24 minutes record that villager Rosemary David had raised the issue of “excessive helicopter traffic” from the estate.
25 years ago – March 11, 1999: Bowling ‘em over
A bowling ball salesman based at Lakeside Superbowl achieved perfection on his home turf recently, when he became only the fifth person to achieve a maximum score in a league game at the 10-pin bowling centre.
Mr Brian Dudman, who works part-time in the Pro Ball shop at Lakeside Superbowl, bowled 12 strikes in a row, giving him a perfect score of 300, during a league game at the Newbury Leisure Park centre last month.
Mr Dudman’s impressive performance led to the centre presenting him with £300 cheque last Wednesday.
It had pledged to reward anyone who achieved a perfect score in a league game.
Lakeside Superbowl general manager Mr Stuart Harris said: “In the six years we’ve been open, we’ve only had five perfect scores in league games, which shows you how difficult it is.
“To be able to bowl 12 strikes in a row, during the pressure of a league game, is a very big achievement.”
50 years ago – March 14, 1974: Mystery admirer
Who is the mystery admirer of a 76-year-old retired Wickham blacksmith?
That is what Mr FW Dobson would like to know.
He has been receiving an anonymous Valentine from her for over 30 years.
Mr Dobson, of Mant Close, whose wife is the same age as himself, says the Valentine cards always bear the same message, handwritten in fine style.
It says “From one who will always love you.”
At the village cottage where he and Mrs Dobson have lived together happily for 18 years, he told a NWN reporter: “Both of us are highly puzzled about it, especially since I was only 22 when we got married.
“The only other sweetheart I’ve ever had was the girl I knew when I was 18 and in the Royal Navy.
“But she was so jealous that I decided we should part.”
He said that in all 30 years the Valentine cards have been arriving, both at Wickham and his previous home near Kintbury, the admirer has missed only once – and that was during a postal strike.
Mr Dobson just cannot understand why she has been going to all that trouble and expense, although he acknowledges that it is somewhat flattering.
“Here I am at 76, happily married for 52 years, with seven children, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, still getting this same Valentine,” he says.
And pictured above is Steve McFadden, otherwise known as Phil Mitchell of EastEnders, was inundated with autograph hunters behind the bar at Tudors in 1994.
Mr McFadden was at the peak of his fame as Phil, who, along with screen brother Grant (Ross Kemp), were the bad boys in BBC 1’s hit soap, EastEnders.
He has also appeared in TV shows such as Britain’s Hardest, Bergerac, The Bill and Minder, as well as stints in several pantomimes.
