Bracknell Development Corporation signed two contracts for 134 homes in the ‘new’ Crown Wood neighbourhood in the town in 1977. 

The plans included a new Y-shaped turning area for cars as part of a circular parking space behind each row of houses incorporating sunken circles to partially conceal the vehicles from view. 

Legendary comedian Ernie Wise lent his support to the Ascot Day Centre Trust Christmas Fair and did his best to promote his flagship campaign to ‘Keep Berkshire Tidy’. 

“Little Ern” also swelled the coffers of the trust by filling his own personal giant stocking with gifts. 

Residents of Wokingham were startled when a light aircraft suddenly appeared in nearby field and fearing that the plane had crashed, dialled 999. 

But they needn’t have worried because the pilot was local enthusiast and pilot, Ian Michael who had recently had the Piper aircraft delivered and could not afford the cost of parking it at nearby White Waltham aerodrome. 

Speaking to the Bracknell News, Ian explained: “The plane wasn’t in very good shape-but I like flying-and to buy it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.” 

Twenty-six pupils from St Margaret Clitherow School went through their musical paces at Binfield Memorial Hall for 60 local pensioners and their reward was a special party held in their honour afterwards.

Headteacher Peter Mc Givern told the News:”It is the first time we have given a concert for the old folk and it has been a great success.” 

In 1977 Wokingham had its very own baseball team called the “Dukes” and the News probably didn’t endear themselves to the squad in a special report 40 years ago. 

Using rather unfortunate descriptive language the article announced: “Why do these guys play the hard man’s version of rounders instead of an honest-to-goodness English game on a cow patch in November?” 

Finally, Berkshire Bygones this week features one of those “I can remember exactly where I was when it happened moments” from 1977 - the nation had held its breath for weeks,but finally the winner of the Bracknell News “Fantasy Fan Heater” competition was announced-the lucky winners of this ‘life-changing event’ were none other than, Rosalind and Nicholas Oldfield, from Woodenhill, Bracknell.