Published: Friday, 6th March, 2009 8:00am

After 50 years, we are due South

by Rebecca Johnson

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IT is one of the grandest and most spectacular buildings in the Bracknell area and now South Hill Park is home to the Bracknell News.

As we celebrate 50 years of The News and its sister titles, Ascot News, Wokingham News, Crowthorne And Sandhurst Newsweek and The Midweek papers we also celebrate a new era for the newspaper.

Over the 50 years the paper has been reporting the news in Bracknell, South Hill Park has been a prominent feature on our pages.

Not just for the arts centre and its fantastic line up of plays, shows, musical evenings and entertainment, but for the Trust and its development of the land and building, the charity work at the site and not forgetting the outstanding Big Day Out - Bracknell's number one festival that takes place every summer and for which The News is media partner.

Delving into our archives, we find that The News was there in October 1973 when the South Hill Park Trust was established and first opened to the public.

Then we were hot off the press in June 1974 when new staff members to the arts centre were announced in the newspaper, welcoming them to South Hill Park and the new Terrace Bar which opened.

Staff featured included Mike Kiers, PR officer, Paul Dunderdale, musical activities and Susie Medley, exhibitions of visual arts.

Most significantly, in April 1983 The News reported on the foundation stone for the Wilde Theatre being laid.

Historically, a £1 coin was cemented into the foundations as this was also launched around the time. It was also when composer Sir Michael Tippett presented the European premier of The Wolf Trapp Fanfare.

The News has continued to report on South Hill Park including the regeneration of the grounds, the building, more theatres and studios opening and the progress of the Wilde Theatre which continues today with its seat appeal.

We look forward to welcoming you with your stories at our new home in South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell.