Bracknell Nostalgia - Looking at what was going on in 2003

One of the many feel good stories from the region 18 years ago saw over 400 Scout members take part in the annual St George’s Day Service in April of that year.

The children from all over Berkshire congregated at Ascot Racecourse and paraded to the Pavilion to celebrate England’s National Day.

Around 400 Scouts across Berkshire took part in the annual St George’s Day parade

That same month, 45 women from Bracknell and Wokingham spent one Saturday night walking through the streets of London semi-naked in aid of the Breakthrough Breast cancer fund.

The walk across in the capital was to help a charity that specialised in breast cancer

More feel good stories took place in the spring of ’03 as many people got together for the annual May Day celebrations.

Dancing around the May pole was one of the main events at the 2003 May Day carnival

Around 1,000 residents flocked to Locks Ride Recreation Ground in Winkfield, where horse riding, apple bobbing and May pole dancing were just some of the activities that took place on the day.

Organiser, Jo Woodage, said: “The band were lovely and people sat around drinking afternoon tea.

Apple bobbing was also on show at the event

“All the stalls seemed to be doing very well and with their kind donations, we should be able to give this years’ [2003] charities a generous amount.

“We thank everyone for coming and also everyone who helped for their hard work on the day.

Children also enjoyed horse riding on the day

“And a big thank you to all the organisations for their generous donations and gifts of prizes which helped so much to make the day very successful.”

More positive news from 2003 that impacted the local community was that several people from Berkshire too part in that year’s London Marathon.

One of those runners was a Crowthorne business man in Mike Lucas.

Mike Lucas raised £10,000 at that year’s London Marathon

Mr Lucas, who at the time was the regional director of Somerfield, raised a staggering £10,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, after being inspired by his secretary’s two sons who were both affected by Becker muscular dystrophy.

He said: “We’ve had a fantastic response from Somerfield stores.

“It was a great day.

“It was a little bit slower than I’d hoped for but it was a really warm day and I still enjoyed it.

“There is a point at about 22 miles when you feel tired and your legs ache but there was noway I wasn’t going to finish.

“My wife, children ad brother were near the end and I saw them just before I finished which was a great boost.”

Another runner from the area was Steve Richardson of Wokingham.

Mr Richardson ran the marathon in four hours and 40 minutes, where he raised £2,700 for Cancer Research UK.

Steve Richardson of Wokingham also ran in the marathon

Claire Coughlan of Bracknell also ran in the annual event, where she raised £1,400 for the children’s charity Barnardo’s.

The third year of the century also saw 15-year-old Jennifer Alder get picked for the GB kayaking team for that year’s World Whitewater Freestyle competitions, whilst the residents of Winkfield saw PC Martin Bell be the town’s official policeman for the first time in nearly a year.

Jennifer Alder

Jennifer Alder in action

Winkfield became Bell’s beat after his predecessor broke their ankle in April 2002 – meaning the area did not have a policeman for 12 months.

PC Martin Bell

He said: “Having a beat bobby will mean that residents will have someone they can get in touch with directly about their problems.”