Back in the day: We delve into our archives to see what was going on 10 years ago, 25 years ago and 50 years ago this week
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10 years ago – 3 July 2014
Royal visit
Ten years of treatment, triumphs and tears were marked at West Berkshire Community Hospital on Tuesday as Princess Anne visited its new therapy gardens.
The Princess Royal was shown around the new outside space, recently opened at the hospital to mark its 10th anniversary, and met with patients, staff, local residents and dignitaries.
Residential patient at the hospital Pam Dudley was among those whom Princess Anne spoke to.
She said: “She said the garden looked lovely and it would be nice for us to get out each day and have a walk around.”
Keen gardeners staying in the hospital will be able to plant crops in the fruit and vegetable patches, which will be used in the kitchens, while gardening activities will also be available in the wheelchair-accessible greenhouse.
There is also outside seating to provide space in which patients can relax and socialise, while plans are afoot to erect gazebos to provide shaded seating areas, which Barclays Bank is helping to raise funds for.
Matron Amanda Hart said that the therapy garden would be a comfort for many patients.
“For our patients with Alzheimer’s, it might evoke memories from the past which is really good therapy,” she said.
25 years ago – July 8, 1999
Signal centenary
The signal box on the railway track at Colthrop celebrated its hundredth birthday on Sunday.
Signalman Mr David Canning, who has worked at the box for 22 years, said it was the only original box left on the line between London and Liskeard in Cornwall.
It has just been repainted in the old cream and chocolate livery of the Great Western Railway, and is surrounded by its own garden with roses, petunias and a vine, all planted and maintained by the signalmen.
Mr Canning joined colleagues and friends for a small ceremony at the signal box on Sunday morning, during a 20- minute break between trains operating the Sunday schedule.
On weekdays, the signalmen deal with 180 trains a day.
He said the signals are no longer operated by mechanical levers, which have been replaced by the latest electronic equipment.
“The building is original, but the equipment is very hi-tech," he said.
50 years ago – June 27, 1974
Shakes and adders
Snakes alive ... at least until Dr John Almond killed it.
He found the one-foot-long adder on the Persian carpet in the drawing room of his home at Newtown Common on Friday.
“The French windows were open so it must have come in from the garden,” he said.
Only the day before, his 4-and-a-half-month-old granddaughter was playing on the grass there.
Dr Almond immediately grabbed a nearby walking stick and hit the creature five or six times before killing it.
When he was chairman of Kingsclere and Whitchurch RDC some years ago, notices were erected on the common to warn picnickers of the dangers.
Adders enjoy basking in the sun and Dr Almond and his wife have seen a few in their garden over the years.
“But this was the first time I’ve ever found one in my drawing room,” he said with a laugh.