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 – September 11, 2014
The queen of cakes
West Berkshire fans of The Great British Bake Off queued the length of Northbrook Street in Newbury on Saturday, all for the chance to see judge Mary Berry.
The renowned cook and author, who has found great success with the television show which attracts millions of viewers, spent most of the day at the Camp Hopson store.
She was there to meet her fans, and to sign copies of her latest book Mary Berry Bakes the Perfect.
Hundreds of people waited for up to four hours to meet the ‘queen of cakes’.
Some arrived as early as 8.20am in order to claim their place near the front of the queue, which stretched from the department store all the way down Northbrook Street to the Clock Tower.
The 79-year-old, who has become one of the most recognisable personalities in television owing to the popularity of the programme, didn’t disappoint her loyal followers, spending six hours chatting to fans, posing for pictures and signing copies of the book.
25 years ago – September 10, 1999
Walk to school
Children could lead the way to a less congested future for West Berkshire, according to local transport experts.
West Berkshire Council officers working on the local transport policy for the five years after the Millennium have identified cutting the number of car journeys around local schools as a way of reducing rush-hour traffic, as well as people’s overall dependence on the car.
The council is hoping to work with Thatcham’s Kennet School in a pilot project to encourage youngsters, and their parents, to accept walking or cycling as safe alternatives.
Pupils at the school will be encouraged to take part in cycling and walking initiatives, while the council intends to make the approaches to the school safer and provide the infrastructure for the plan, such as secure parking, equipment loans, showering and changing facilities.
50 years ago – September 12, 1974
Residents revolt
Lower Way residents are tired of being ‘fobbed off’ and are calling on MP Mr Michael McNair-Wilson for help.
At a meeting of their action group last week they decided that the time has come to make a stand.
“We are sick and tired of being fobbed off,” stormed Mr David Walker, who lives in Lower Way.
For many months, he and fellow members of the group have been making representations to the county and district councils seeking to improve the conditions of the area.
“But we do not seem to be getting anywhere,” he told the NWN.
Residents have complained about the refuse tip, sewerage works, slaughterhouse, nearby gravel workings and the heavy lorry traffic connected with them, the lack of street lighting and the condition of the road surface.
“The attitude seems to be ‘if it’s nasty give it to Lower Way’ and we are fed up with it,” said Mr Walker.
“We have agreed that unless we really make a stand now the action group will lose heart and fold up.
“The hard part was deciding on which point to make the stand.”
They have agreed to devote all their energies to an all-out campaign for street lighting and improvement of the state of the road itself.
