Words and archive pictures by Chris Forsey

Spending a penny in Princess Square became more expensive in 1988, when the shopping centre opened a new ‘vandal-proof’ toilet suite.

If you were to get caught short the price was now 10p, with the addition of turnstiles and an attendant, it was hoped that the spate of vandalism would cease, which had recently cost over £3,000 to repair.

Great Britain swimmer, Peter Hull, had reason to celebrate when he was selected for the Olympic squad heading for the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, but he went one better, by passing his driving test at the first attempt.

The 22-year-old, who was born without arms and legs, told the Bracknell News:” It’s been a great year for me, I’m really chuffed, I only hope my luck doesn’t run out.”

More than 1,100 cyclists finished the Three Counties Cycle Ride 30 years ago, and the organisers later revealed that, although 350 riders failed to show up, they raised a massive £22,000 for charity.

The cyclists route took them from South Hill Park on a 50-mile ride through Ascot, Windsor, Eversley and Sandhurst before returning to Bracknell.

An old-fashioned cricket match brought ‘old father time’ to the annual Warfield fete in 1988, as a mixed team of locals pitched their skills against their local club.

The players all donned old-style kit and although the result was close, it was the cricket club that received the dubious honour of receiving the ‘chamber pot’ trophy.

Chairman of the committee, Tony Ingram, told the News:” It was a very relaxing and leisurely way to spend an evening, although some of the full-length skirts made it tricky to run and field the ball.”

College Town, in Sandhurst, was suffering a ‘biblical plaque’ of snakes in the back gardens of three homes in Branksome Hill Road.

Before environmental health experts were called in, 30 of the unfortunate adders had been killed by residents, as they burnt down an area where the protected species had been breeding.

After trying to tackle the problem, Malcolm Cowie told the News:” At first they told us there was no problem and we should just leave them alone, but we couldn’t do that because of the size of problem we have here.”

An unsung hero of British music, composer and guitarist, Gordon Giltrap, launched his new symphony at the Wilde Festival of Music in Bracknell.

A self-taught guitarist from the age of twelve Gordon had written many familiar TV theme tunes such as “The Holiday Programme” and “Wish You Were Here”.

But as he shunned the limelight, most of the high esteem in which he is held is by fellow musicians such as Pete Townsend and Mike Oldfield.

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