After months of hard work by parents and staff in 1983, the doors were finally opened at the new Owlsmoor Playgroup.

The ceremonial opening was performed by Sandra Wooledge (chair) during a special open evening at the Cambridge Road building.

With work on the interior was also completed- including a series of 4ft-high murals such as Noddy, Minnie Mouse and Postman Pat- painted by one of the parents, Les Dray.

Mrs Wooledge told the News:” We hope to grass over part of the garden and perhaps create an area where the children can grow their own vegetables.”

The Conservative Party announced its prospective Parliamentary candidate for the New East Berkshire Constituency 36 years ago.

Andrew Mackay, a former MP from Birmingham, was selected from a total of 247 applicants and he admitted”: I am the sort who likes to go door knocking and meeting people face to face.”

He added that he had already formed a very favourable impression of Bracknell and felt that its high technology growth in the computer industry would guarantee a healthy future for the area.

South East Berkshire Scouts played to full houses every performance of their 12th annual Gang Show in ’83, with over 3,000 people of all ages enjoying an evening of fun and entertainment.

The three-hour show was produced by Shirley Burns, with all of the “props” being made by adult members for the 80 Scouts and Guides who performed.

It was hoped that any surplus funds, after expenses were paid, would go towards a trip to the Jamboree in Alberta, Canada, later in the year.

The future of a Winkfield horse riding school was hanging in the balance in 1983 after Bracknell District Council had stopped them holding shows on their land.

The London Week-end Equestrian Centre was one of Berkshire’s biggest professional riding centres, also catering for disabled and under-privileged children.

A council official told the News:” The shows are too big, and the narrow rural roads cannot cope with the heavy traffic.”

Members of the 44 Squadron Royal Corps of Transport, from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, were proving that their boots ‘were made for walking’ by walking 270 miles along the Pennine Way.

The team of five had been in training for the event since October and would cover the distance in just eight days, each carrying a full 40lb survival pack.

The charity trek, which had a target of £500, would be fund-raising for the charity Harts Leap Cheshire Homes, Sandhurst.

Wokingham also held a charity walk in 1983, and it was in the ‘safe hands’ of legendary West Ham United footballer Phil Parkes.

Accompanied by Mayor David Ireland, 600 walkers raised £7,000 whilst strolling the WADE way and the eldest contestant 92-year-old Win Ambrose, walked through the town until passing a baton to her son in the form of a relay.