Remember When: Castle Hill fight against phone mast

1986: In an effort to combat an ever-increasing problem, the district council took The Battle Against Litter into the classroom.

The latest visit was to St Luke’s Primary School, where safety officer David Janes explained the problems that litter can cause, and how the Royal Borough collected and disposed of refuse.

1986: Work started on the demolition of 36 and 38 Market Street, thought by some to be among Maidenhead’s earliest buildings.

A couple of small shops had been at the site for as long as most Maidonians could remember, but the properties had once housed a chapel, at least one school, and a pub.

The dilapidated premises were making way for a three-storey office block.

1996: Accept you are beaten.

That was the message from Royal Borough leaders to Shire Hall after the county council suffered a defeat in the Court of Appeal.

Berkshire County Council had refused to help district councils prepare to become an all-purpose unitary authority after launching a legal challenge to local government reorganisation. Royal Borough leader, Cllr Tony Langdown, urged county councillors to accept the ruling and help plan for the new councils.

1996: Maidenhead police showed off a ‘horrible’ array of knives and weapons handed in during a four-week amnesty.

Commando knives, knuckle dusters with hidden blades, flick knives, cut throat razors, and bayonets were among more than 170 weapons surrendered to local police.

2001: A group of Maidenhead sixth formers were set to launch a high-profile anti-bullying campaign thanks to a £500 prize in a national award scheme.

The Altwood School GNVQ performing arts students scooped the money from the UK’s largest education sponsorship programme, Barclays New Futures.

The money would go towards making an anti-bullying video and information pack.

2001: Olympic hero Sir Steve Redgrave was presented with a gold limited edition portable sound system by Bang and Olufsen of Marlow and Windsor, based in Spittal Street, Marlow.

He said: “I am sure the girls will get their hands on it very quickly – Steps and all that stuff.

“I am planning to get my records on it but I am not sure if it plays vinyl.”

Marlow resident Helen Shaw also won a sound system as part of a competition to mark the company’s 75th anniversary.

2001: Families living on Castle Hill joined forces to fight plans to put a 33-feet high mobile phone mast on a green close to their homes.

Residents formed a group called CHARM – Castle Hill Against Radio Mast – and also sent a protest letter to the Royal Borough with signatures from 118 people.

Ward councillors were also dismayed by the move, but said there was little they could do to stop it.