The Bracknell News got a scoop in 1995 when it travelled to Windsor to get an exclusive interview with ‘Madge’ star of the popular Australian soap Neighbours.

Anne Charleston,who was appearing in ‘Love, Julie’ at the Theatre told the News: “In 1988 Neighbours was so huge over here that I was offered many stage roles and this year I will be doing my eight year in panto.”

Curiously alongside this interview the News carried an article on children’s TV habits in response to a Harvard University report which claimed that in just forty years television has destroyed our society.

Reporter Jo Merrett was despatched to do a ‘Vox-Pop’ (aka voice of the people) in Bracknell. Gail Beasley from Easthampstead told the News: “I think that people do watch far too much television in this country and it is damaging-I tried to stop my children from watching too much but they do like the soaps.”

Plans to abolish Berkshire County Council and move the Record Office from Shire Hall came under the spotlight in 1995 and chief archivist told the News: “It is essential that we preserve these records for future generations,we are very worried that this restructuring will put them at risk.”

St Paul’s church in Wokingham was saying farewell to it 131-year-old church organ after parishioners raised the £20,000 needed to replace it.

Speaking to the News vicar Rev Roger Stillman said: “We are close enough to be confident that we will raise the total funds needed-we will be playing the piano for the time being.”

Local firefighters were pushing the boat out in an effort to keep the Fire Service Benevolent Fund afloat by canoeing from Bristol to Windsor.

Calling themselves the ’Bracknell Paddle Steamers’ the team of eight from the Fire Station tackled the 127-mile course along the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Thames,finishing at Windsor Bridge.

Leah Beckett from Ascot won first place in a National dressage competition but it could have been very different as her horse Ben had lost grazing rights in his favourite field when a local benefactor passed away.

Speaking to the News 14-year-old Leah’s mother explained: “If it wasn’t for our friends who gave us grazing land for nothing we could not have carried on and that would have been a shame.”

Mum Val continued: “Most people in dressage have money,we have an old van and a trailer,the prize money will make a big difference but we will still have to rely on pure talent.”