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 – August 21, 2014

Snakes alive!

A couple who bought a second-hand car were horrified to find an unexpected accessory inside – a live, 4ft long boa constrictor.

Charlie Wise and husband Guy got the shock of their lives at their home in Swansdown Walk, Thatcham, when they opened the boot of the VW Golf.

The huge reptile was coiled up inside.

At first Mrs Wise, who is terrified of snakes, said she and her husband thought it was an out sized rubber toy, until it opened its eyes and flicked out its tongue at her.

Mrs Wise, aged 23, said: “We both screamed, slammed the boot shut and ran off.”

The couple said they contacted the car’s previous owner who admitted he had lost the animal two months ago, but that they never heard any more after asking him to collect his pet.

After giving the reptile water and keeping it warm, the Wises called the RSPCA.

25 years ago – August 19, 1999

By-pass blast

The Highways Agency’s plan to close one by-pass carriageway at a time and divert traffic through Newbury has been lambasted by West Berkshire Council.

The Highways Agency believes its plan is quicker and safer than creating a contraflow on the remaining, open carriageway.

“The arrangement has been discussed with local police forces and local authorities,” said Highways Authority project director Steve Rowsell.

“We think it is the safest way and will cause the least disruption.”

However, West Berkshire Council’s transportation chairman, Mr David Becket (Lib Dem, Hermitage), said council officers had been negotiating with the agency for two weeks for more measures to alleviate traffic congestion in the town, but their requests had been ignored.

“To date, negotiations with the Highways Agency have been one-sided. They tell us what they intend to do,” he said.

“The bland response to most of our detailed questions shows that insufficient attention has been given to the management of this diversion.”

50 years ago – August 22, 1974

Crossing clash

Theale residents are urging the county council to take immediate action to restore pedestrian crossing facilities in the village High Street.

Their case has been taken up by Newbury district councillor for Theale, Mr Graham Reeves, who has the support of the parish council, Women’s Institute and “almost every individual person to whom I have spoken.”

Before the M4 and the Theale relief road were opened nearly three years ago, there was a zebra crossing by the Post Office in the High Street.

But when Station Road and Church Street became part of the route for M4 construction traffic, it was found necessary to provide lights at the village crossroads.

Crossing facilities centre were incorporated with the lights and the zebra crossing further east was then removed.

But, despite local concern, the traffic lights were removed upon completion of the motorway works and the zebra was never reinstated.

County reaction to local comment was to wait and see what traffic patterns and volumes turned out to be after the relief road had been in use for a reasonable period, says Mr Reeves.

In a letter to the county surveyor this week, the councillor adds: “A considerable time has now elapsed and it is obvious that only a fraction of the original traffic is now carried by the main road through the village, but at much greater speed.”