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
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 – December 11, 2014
Andy’s in charge
The Newbury Weekly News has appointed the 10th editor in its 147-year history.
Andy Murrill has replaced Brien Beharrell who retired on Friday after 17 years in the role.
Mr Murrill was previously editor of the Reading Post for 16 years and prior to that edited local newspapers in London and Surrey before holding a senior job at the Press Association.
He was born in Wokingham in Berkshire and has been covering West Berkshire issues over the past three decades.
He said: “It is an absolute privilege to become the group editor of the Newbury Weekly News – a respected and much-loved newspaper owned by a highly committed and ambitious family firm.
“It is also an honour to step into the shoes of Brien, who had such a fantastic career with the paper.
“I look forward to meeting readers and working with the community to make this an even better place to live and work.
“I believe local newspapers play a key role in strengthening communities and we have also embraced the digital age with a fast-growing audience on newburytoday.co.uk.
“Digital innovations can also play a positive part in our newspaper’s print future.”
25 years ago – December 9, 1999
Carols and candles
A candlelit town centre procession of carol singers from Kennet School marked the start of Thatcham’s grand Christmas lights switch-on on Friday evening.
A large number of community groups took part in the celebrations, centred around a stage in the Broadway.
Part of the road was closed off to traffic for the first time ever.
Among those performing were Watership Brass, the Barfield Handbell Ringers, and members of the Kennet Amateur Theatrical Society (KATS), who performed a potted version of Pantomillennium, KATS’ next production.
Also joining in the celebrations were local children, who joined the dignitaries on stage to sing Christmas carols.
Away from the stage, energetic residents had the opportunity to enjoy the rides of Pelham’s funfair, and to try their luck at the raffles, tombolas and games available on the various stalls provided by local charities and organisations.
50 years ago – December 12, 1974
Relic rescued
A relic of old Newbury has been saved from the bonfire by the swift action of local lock-keeper John Gould.
His find, an old hand-operated crane once used on canals and in railway goods yards, could now become the focal point of the planned Kennet and Avon amenity area in Newbury.
Eagle-eyed Mr Gould, who is secretary of the Newbury branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, spotted the crane lying in the debris of demolition work in full swing at Newbury station’s goods yard.
The Trust moved quickly to contact the demolition contractors, John Stacey of Tadley, who were about to chop up the crane into firewood.
That was the fate of a second crane which has been hidden away in the goods yard for many years.
The firm were only too willing to give the wooden structure to the Trust and arrangements are now being made for it to be hauled to the Stone Building in the Wharf for renovation.
The crane is typical of the type used on canals to off and on-load goods from barges.
They were also used by railways and the one discovered by Mr Gould belonged to the Great Western Railway Company.
