Remember When: Hercule Poirot in Hurley and the mystery of the hotel paintings

1980: Musical talent and enthusiasm was much in evidence at the Altwood School production of Follow the Star.

Woven around the story of the Nativity, Follow the Star was a story in which Herod was portrayed as a melodramatic villain in a contest with the angels.

1985: A large gathering of Maidenhead Rowing Club members and supporters attended a boat naming ceremony at the clubhouse to name three recently purchased boats.

All three were named after long-serving members — Derek Cook, Willie Smith and Toddy Hing.

1990: The village of Hurley changed its name to Kings Lacey for a starring role in Agatha Christie’s Poirot.

Cameras rolled and clapperboards clicked as Hercule Poirot, played by David Suchet, and the rest of the cast filmed an episode due to be screened the following year.

1990: Work came to a standstill at Wyeth Laboratories in Taplow with the arrival of a Royal visitor to mark the firm’s centenary.

Princess Margaret was given a guided tour of the laboratories and the Institute of Medical Research in Huntercombe Lane South.

1995: A French flavour marked morning assembly at Highfield School in Maidenhead.

Pupils sang well-known French songs and performed mini sketches during a day aimed at helping them improve their understanding of French culture.

2000: A hotel owner in Maidenhead was appealing for residents to help uncover the mystery surrounding a collection of colourful paintings.

The Thames Hotel, in Ray Mead Road, had a stunning collection of vibrant pictures painted onto its loft walls, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s.

But no one had any idea who created the works.

Cliff Owen, proprietor of the hotel, was on a mission to find out who the artist was.

2000: Christmas came to town for the switching on of the Advertiser-sponsored lights, followed by the annual parade.

The Melton Mowbray Toy Soldier Band led off from the town hall with a rousing rendition of Dancing Queen, followed by Father Christmas and Noddy in his little car, and a whole toy-shopful of other children’s favourites including cowboys, fairies and clowns.