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 – February 19, 2015
Matt’s sew good
An Upper Basildon dad of two has made it through to the next round of a primetime television sewing competition.
Matt Chapple, aged 37, is in his third week of the Great British Sewing Bee, which airs on BBC Two each Thursday, presented by Claudia Winkleman.
Eight contestants, from an original 10, remain in the six-part programme, now in its third series.
Mr Chapple said he first realised his love of sewing during his time in the army, when he was taught to maintain his uniform.
Now an IT technician, Mr Chapple often makes clothes and costumes for his children, Max and Evie, and dresses for his wife, Gemma.
Mr Chapple said: “After series two my wife and friends kept sending me clippings for applications, so I thought, why not? I filled in the application form and the rest is history.”
Speaking of the moment he found out he would be on the show, he said: “I went from smiling like a Cheshire cat to feeling overcome by panic.
“It was nerve-wracking last week to see how close I was to going out.”
25 years ago – February 17, 2000
Busy Bees boost
Thatcham based pre-school Busy Bees held a cheque presentation last week for the children’s hospice Naomi House, which is near Winchester.
Busy Bees made the presentation in the Scout hut in Church Gate, Thatcham, after holding a collection following a Christmas play performance at the pre-school in December.
The collection raised £100 for the hospice in Sutton Scotney.
Busy Bees spokesman Paula Dyson said: “This is the second time that we have supported Naomi House, because it is a charity that is relevant to children.”
50 years ago – February 20, 1975
Post office raid
Thieves who made a lightning raid on Highclere sub-post office on Monday got away with cash and postal orders totalling £1,100.
They forced a window at the back, broke open the till and removed the safe keys, opened the safe and made off again... all while postmistress Mrs Yvonne Morris was out for a lunchtime walk with her dog.
When she returned at 1.10pm the thieves had vanished, taking with them £400 in cash and £700 in postal orders.
It seemed that they worked so fast that they overlooked £80 in the till where they found the keys.
Mrs Morris’ husband Major RA Morris was in the Highclere Garage next door while his wife was out.
Even garage employee Mr Kenneth Etwell who went into the post office to fetch some hot water at 1pm heard nothing.
To reach the kitchen he had to walk through the post office.
The thieves clearly knew how to force a typical post office till, and where to find the safe and safe keys.
They probably also knew something about the Morris’ movements, but this does not mean that they were local people, say police.
The thieves made their way to the back of the post office and broke open a living room window.
Most of the postal orders taken were of low denomination.
