When Easthampstead Rural District Council put up an ‘out of opening hours’ sign at their rubbish tip- advising customers to leave their rubbish by the locked gates- they didn’t expect to find a dozen dumped vehicles, one of which was a large lorry.

The ‘juggernaut’ was also blocking the entrance gates, whilst the cars had been left on the verges, stripped of anything useful.

In 1963, this was a common problem for local authorities, with most abandoned vehicles being left on any piece of waste land nearby to housing estates.

The winner of the town’s first ever “Mr Bracknell” competition was chosen at a special dance night in Victoria Hall 56 years ago, after the contestants had been whittled down to four finalists.

The judges, after considering haircuts (Beatle cuts of course), sharpness of dress and a general “with it” appearance, settled for 17-year-old Forest Grammar pupil, Francis Bracha. Francis, who had just executed a ‘nifty’ version of the twist in the final. Told the Bracknell News:” I didn’t expect to win, but I don’t dare to think about the ragging I shall get from the other boys at school!”Prizes for the winners included, ‘long playing record tokens’ and (unbelievably, packets of cigarettes, with proceeds from the dance going to the building of the (proposed) Bracknell Boys’ Club.

When two entries for the Bracknell and District Cage Bird Society were judged ‘100 per cent perfect’ by the organisers, the winner was decided by the toss of a coin.

Charles Andrews and Vernon Norris ‘watched the birdie’ for the News photographer after the result was decided by show secretary, Reg Rapley.

A handy guide for anyone planning to eat out was published by the News in 1963, and it announced that: “Our corner of Berkshire is particularly well-looked-after by hotels, public house and restaurants.”

One such hotel featured was The Jolly Gardner, at Winkfield, where it promised that ‘mine hosts’ Mr and Mrs Lewer would extend a very high standard of courtesy and service, not to mention the fine dining provided by chefs George Percival and Domenico Evangelista.

A rather more specialised service was on offer at the Thatched Grill in Bracknell, which catered for wedding parties and held a dinner dance every Friday evening, complete with a band and pianist.

Foxhill Junior and Infant schools decided to combine their two bazaars as many parents had full-time jobs during the day, and the result was a record gross profit of £230.

Junior school headteacher Mr. Carter told the News: “This is far better than we have done in recent years, and we think it is because we changed the time to a weekday evening.”

Wokingham Social Club held its annual fancy dress competition and the winners were announced as Ted Newman (who dressed as an Arab sheik) and Mrs J Kirkpatrick (who dressed as a flower seller).