Windsor's Theatre Royal had a night to remember when the Queen and the Queen Mother both made a surprise visit in March 1962.

Legendary managing director John Counsell had his work cut out as not only did he greet his VIP guests-but was starring that night in his own gala performance.

As if this wasn't enough two nights later the theatre played host to 600 star guests who indulged themselves at a 'champagne popping party'.

The royal guests were served with refreshments provided by a Datchet catering firm which included smoked salmon,caviare and prawns.

Slough had its own excitement when the old Uxbridge Road rail bridge was blown up by demolition experts.

The new bridge,only fifty yards away,was untouched by the rubble which fell on to the rails beneath-incredibly the mess was cleared away by mechanical shovels just before the first train left Paddington the next day.

The Slough Observer published a handy guide to the latest 1960's domestic appliances that month and although some of the devices (and copy) may appear comical today they were cutting edge for their time.

Not to be outdone the Reading Chronicle featured a pull out guide to the latest labour saving garden cultivators which could dig your garden with a fraction of the effort.

Reading Chronicle:

A special report on driving instructor Pat Edwards highlighted the blatant sexism her pupils were enduring whilst learning behind the wheel around the town centre.

Speaking to the Chron she explained:”My pupils:are so put off by taunts from the male drivers they start learning with a major inferiority complex”.

The driver of an RAF lorry could have done with some extra lessons when his vehicle left the road in Pell Street and careered into the home of 71-year-old Jessie Clark.

Talikng to the Chron's reporter she expalined:”It crashed thorugh the front of the house,completely demolishing it-I have never heard such a noise in my life-it was far worse than anything I experienced during the war.”

Rag Week was a big event on the streets of Reading 55 years ago with a procession including various high jinks and jolly japes such a snake charmer,'Goobies' (men from outer space ) and an armoured car..

In Warfield the 'Mad March Hare' appeared at a local dance and it must have been a sight to behold a he also took part in the 'Twist' competition.

An 18-storey skyscraper was taking shape in Eathampstead as five floors had been constructed.

The Bracknell News featured a dramatic snap of the tower block which would probably (at the time) be the highest in Berkshire.

Freezing weather hit the Bracknell area that month and local residents were pictured by the News braving a chilly bus stop but smiling for the camera!

A host of minor accidents occurred with a St John's Ambulance ambulance sliding into a ditch in Binfield.

Scores of pedestrians and cyclists ended up in the A & E Department of Heatherwood Hospital and many vehicles crashed into roadside lamp posts and bollards.

Over 120 motor-cycles roared around Bracknell for the Stag Club's big trial meeting.

But before it had even started the clerk of the course-Les Tuckell from Ascot-fell off his own bike and broke his collar bone.

Despite this set back the meeting went off without any further complications and press officer Joe Rance told the News:”The trial was a big success and everything went off very well-despite the scare the day before”.

Ends words and archive photos: Chris Forsey