BRACKNELL was ‘shaken but not stirred’ in 1973 when Sean Connery, the former James Bond, filmed his latest movie in and around the town.

Playing the part of a police detective, ‘007’ was acting in a film called “The Offence”, which was far removed from his previous role, playing the iconic agent with a ‘licence to kill’.

Wildridings was the temporary home to a fictitious film set entitled Brackley School, the home of Northcroft School.

Connery played the part of Detective Sergeant Johnson, who was becoming overwhelmed by the trials and tribulations of his long career solving crime.

Hughie Green, a famous TV personality in the 1970’s, was busy filming the latest edition of his “Opportunity Knocks” programme at Grove Farm Riding Stables, Warfield 47 years ago.

Hughie launched into filming a scene involving medieval jousting and sword fighting, along with riding one of the stables horses in a fight to win the hand of a ‘fair maiden’.

Owner of the stables, Paddy Earle, told the News:” A lot of our 70 horses are often at Pinewood Studios for filming, recently Roger Moore and Tony Curtis rode two of them, they all enjoy every minute!”

After making his own ‘home brew’ for the last six years, 60-year-old Fred Tipler, from Crowthorne, won a beer competition for the second time.

Speaking to the News, Fred explained: “I first got the idea when my wife and I were invited to a wine party, I got the idea from there and now I brew six gallons a week.“I give my beer away, it usually goes to social functions, in fact it goes to anyone who wants it, the actual brewing takes place inside a large plastic dustbin.”

After 21 years in the men’s wear trade, John Hadley decided it was time for a change of direction, so he opened his own gift shop called “Park Street Gallery.”

John, from Bracknell, searched for premises within a radius of 25 miles and found his ideal new site in Camberley, where he brought in his two brothers as co-partners.

The new shop catered for collectors of paintings by local artists, Limoges porcelain and modern bric-a-brac.

Despite the delay of over a month, the WRVS New Year’s party for more than 80 pensioners, finally took place in the Cordes Hall in Sunninghill in 1973.

The dinner was jointly organised by the Darby and Joan Club for the elderly members who also received their meals on wheels service.

During the afternoon Vince and Rita Starr, a local professional act, entertained the party goers with singing and comedy sketches.

Bracknell Rugby Club hosted a ‘Tramps’ Supper’ 47 years ago and lined up at the bar to pose for the News photographer.

Over sixty members packed into the clubhouse dressed in tramps’ clothes and enjoyed a “bangers and mash” supper.