After spending the last four weeks looking back at what was going on across 1977, we have decided to move away from the 70s and focus on a year that is still relatively fresh in the mind.
For this week’s edition, we are going back to 2003, where we will delve into archives to see what was going on 18 years ago.
One of the biggest news stories from that time saw the Bullbrook Community Centre in Bracknelll get permission for a £50,000 extension.
Speaking at the time, Bullbrook Community Association Chairwoman, Ivy Riggs said: “Cllr Sergeant approached me a few months ago and told me the council had spare money for community centres.”
Lots of different events took place at the Bullbrook Community Centre
That same year also saw pupils at Wildridings Primary School not only plant several new trees on the school’s property, but, also saw a successful campaign come to fruition.
A resident who lived near the school, expressed her concerns after she struggled to get her electric buggy along the footpath by the building due to a number of overgrown trees.
This was put forward to the council who listened to the complaints and obliged in getting the issue resolved.
Trees being planted at Wildridings Primary School
And sticking with the environment, 2003 saw Holt Copse Conservation Volunteers pick up an award for their efforts in trying to preserve and maintain a patch of woodland near Wokingham.
The group, which was formed in 1999, had been working on protecting the Joel Park area of the town which their formation four years prior.
After winning the award, volunteer Jack Meatcher said: “This is the third award we’ve won and we hope to spend the £250 on better signage to increase the educational value of the site, so as to benefit schools.”
It was their third award in four years
Staying with trying to improve the future, 2003 saw budding politician Kelly-Marie Allum reveal the most important changes in her manifesto.
The then 14-year-old, who was elected as the youth MP of Wokingham, was preparing to speak at the National Youth Parliament as well as Wokingham District Council.
Kelly-Marie Allum (centre) revealed her manifesto in 2003
In her manifesto, the teen wanted cheaper prices on public transport, as well as more activities to be available for people in the area.
That same year also saw Camberley chef, Peter Wateridge, win an award for his culinary skills.
Peter Wateridge won the award aged 24
The chef, who was 24 at the time, was given just half-an-hour to create two servings of a main course whilst having a strict budget to stay in.
Peter, who was working as a chef for soldiers in Sandhurst, prepared a chicken in Italian batter with oven roasted peppers, served on a garlic brioche with a bed of bacon-less carbonara tagliatelle with a sweet chilli chutney.
He said: “I’ve never entered a culinary competition before but I had a lot of support from Rob Kennedy, the master chef at Sandhurst, who helped me come up with my menu.”
Lots of OAP were given goods during the winter months
That same year also saw pensioners in Bracknell receive around 500 hampers through Age Concern, whilst a couple revealed at the start of that year that they decided to tie the knot on Christmas Eve 2002.
The couple tied the knot just before 2003 began
Finally, at the start of 2003, some residents revealed what their New Year’s Resolutions should be, with some of the resolutions being to quit smoking.
Kelly Pennicard opted to stop smoking when 2003 hit (Pictured with her children Jaime (left) and Jake (right))
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