Bracknell Nostalgia - Continuing with what was going on in 1993

Continuing with the feelgood stories from 29 years ago, one of the standout tales from the time saw the Bracknell News try and do their bit to help those needing organ transplants.

Bosses at Bracknell Sports Centre decided to step in, along with the town’s leisure centre, to help resident Tony Fletcher reach the European Transplant Games.

This came about after the then 27-year-old from Ullswater, Great Hollands, was mounting a bid to take part in the games, which was held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

Tony Fletcher (pictured on the bike) was allowed to use the Bracknell Sports Centre for free for six months)

Tony, who had life-saving double lung transplant in 1992, was cycling around 100 miles a week to make it to the games in Scandinavia but following his vital operation, he had been unable to find work and need help to get to the games.

However, a week after the initial story of his ambitions were published in 1993, chiefs at Bracknell Sports Centre responded to the News’ appeal to try and get Tony to Finland and in a gesture of goodwill, he was offered a six-month free pass to use their facilities.

A spokesperson from the Bracknell Forest Borough Council said at the time: “We decided to give him the pass after we read the article in the paper.

“We thought it would help him to get to the games, and if he doesn’t have a job then he can use the fitness room whenever he wants.”

More feelgood stories from the time saw several child enjoy one of the half-term holidays with face paints.

The facepainting was a great success

Hammicks Bookstore in Princess Square had organised the face painting in a bid to publicise one of their newest children’s publications, ‘Percy’s Face Painting Party,’ and it was a great success as more than 40 children turned up.

Organiser, Sue Lawrence, said: “We organised the face painting partly to make the bookshops more fun for children rather than a place to just shop for buying books.

“But it’s also a treat to mark the end of the term.”

Another great story from the time saw an Ascot hairdressers pick up several awards in a contest.

The 16-year-old hairdressers shone at the show were they all got an award

Sam Ferguson, Kim Bolsom, Joanne Basten and Kelly Ring (not pictured) all had a great day at that year’s Farnborough Hairdressing Awards as Ferugson finished first, Bolsom, second, whilst Ring and Basten finished joint third at the competition.

The then students, who were all 16-years-old at the time in 1993, had only been cutting hair about roughly two months.

Salon manager, Jason Cole, said: “We are extremely pleased with the girls’ achievements.”

The residential home was a qaurter-of-a-century old

Finally, a Lynwood-based residential home celebrated his 25th anniversary in 1993 with a surprise party.