Clifford’s dairy headquarters in Downshire Way, Bracknell was the setting for an unusual ‘plastic pollution’ protest in 1972, the demonstration saw over 5,000 bottles dumped on the dairy’s doorstep.

The one hundred protesters, who stood on the grass verge singing Benny Hill’s pop song “Ernie”, were then confronted with staff from Clifford’s handing out free balloons and toys advertising the company’s products.

Company Chairman, Gordon Clifford, told the Bracknell News:” People must accept plastic in this modern world, cardboard is more expensive and is not as suitable, if you can find me some other material then I will use it.”

A fundraising evening at Bracknell Leisure Centre, organised by the Round Table, was hoping to finance the British Paraplegic Olympic basketball squad.

Top of the bill for “Ball 72” was Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, who played a mixture of their hit songs interspersed with gags, jokes and limericks, had the 1,300 strong audience in stitches.

Before playing their hit “Hello Dolly” Kenny Ball told the guests:” Try to dance up tempo to this one, otherwise your braces will get twisted and your knickers will be in a terrible state!”

Actress Nanette Newman performed the topping-out ceremony for a new Budgens supermarket 46 years ago, and made sure it was a family affair, by bringing her equally famous husband and children along.

Brian Forbes watched on as their daughters Sarah (who became an actress) and Emma (who went on to BBC Children’s TV fame) posed happily for the ‘News’ photographer on top of the building.

The new Easthampstead Park Crematorium was officially opened by Bracknell Church representatives in 1972, the building cost over £100,000 to build and the surrounding land was landscaped to give an open parkland effect.

After the service Bracknell undertakers and councillors were shown over the complex, which included the new Council mortuary and post-mortem suite.

Brakenhale School was launching its very own ‘Good Samaritans’ scheme as it gathered 12 volunteer pupils to help local elderly people 46 years ago.

They would be giving up their Friday afternoons to do odd jobs such as cleaning windows, shopping, gardening and tidying around their homes.

The school had previously sent Christmas parcels to over 100 elderly residents, also asking them if they wanted to join the scheme, five pensioners wrote back to say they would like to take part.

Teacher Brain Monks told the News:” I would like to see more children involved but many of the elderly don’t believe us when we say it is free of charge.”

Another slice of Bracknell’s skyline was boarded up and ready for demolition in ’72 as an old furniture and chemist’s shop were coming down to make way for the new Lloyds Bank building.

The former Timothy Whites and International Stores were not ready for the chop, for the time being at least.