Words and archive pictures: Chris Forsey

The whole country was in the grip of ‘turtle fever’ back in 1990 as the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles were guests of honour at Bracknell’s Christmas Parade. 

Chief Inspector David Drye was determined to meet his fellow (fictional) crime fighters from across the pond, especially as his two children were also big fans of the “heroes in a half shell”. 

Residents at Woodmancote Day Centre, Bracknell were knitting to keep needy children warm 27 years ago and their handiwork was donated to Oxfam. 

The 36 jumpers hand knitted so far had made their supply of wool run low,so a plea was published in the Bracknell News for more yarn to help continue the production line. 

Former heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper was getting his hands dirty to officially open a new £250,000 unit at Ravenswood Village which was home to 179 children and adults with learning difficulties. 

‘Our Enry’ had been Patron of the Louise Appeal which raised the entire funding for the building over four years with a variety of fundraising events. 

Crowthorne’s two animal stars-Pippin the Dog and Arthur the Kattomeat Cat-announced (not of course by themselves) that they had a busy time before Christmas coming up. 

Pippin and his owner Anne Head were to appear on the popular BBC TV 
Quiz ‘Brainwave’ and Arthur was due to be guest of honour at the National Cat Show of Britain and then ‘jetting off’ to a similar event in Ireland. 

The young men and women soldiers at Sandhurst had a morale-boosting visit from Princess Diana - who was standing in for the Queen of Denmark - at the Sovereign’s Parade. 

Despite the sub-zero temperatures the princess braved the cold and touched the hearts of many of the soldiers who were shortly being posted to The Gulf. 

22-year-old Jim Edwards Jnr from Bracknell, got the drive of his when he drove a 180 mph Formula 3000 car in front of British Grand Prix ace Nigel Mansell. 

Jim, who won the Renault 5 UK Cup to qualify for the drive and said after:”It was a real thrill to be able to drive a car as powerful as this and I really enjoyed the experience, especially being coached by Nigel Mansell!”