Remember When: Red Nose Day and rag week fun

1975: There were hugs and enthusiastic shouts of welcome back for ‘Bash’ at Cookham Rise School.

‘Bash’, otherwise known as school caretaker Harry Gibbons, had just returned from a three-month visit to relatives in Australia.

“The nickname is something I’m stuck with,” he said.

“When I first went to the school I pulled two boys apart who were fighting in the playground. I called them bashers. Now I get Christmas cards sent to ‘Bash’.

1980: A commemorative plaque was unveiled in the Tithe Barn Drive, Bray, by the Mayor and patron of Maidenhead and District Civic Society, Cllr Joyce Fotherby.

The Civic Society had launched a new award scheme to give recognition to distinctive new developments, especially local examples of good architecture, building design and conservative projects.

1985: Windsor and Maidenhead College’s rag week got off to a lively start with a number of events involving students dressing up in wacky costumes.

These included a pop lookalike competition, when some students dressed up as punks and mods.

1990: Two newborn lambs found themselves the centre of attention during a visit by 1st Foxley Rainbow Guides to Foxley Green Farm in Holyport.

The girls were delighted by the lambs, which were only a few days old.

1995: Maidenhead’s first Instant National Lottery win came within five minutes of tickets going on sale, with one happy punter £20 richer for a £1 outlay.

Neil Moore, customer services manager at WHSmith in Nicholsons Walk said: “We sold more than 200 tickets in less than three hours this morning. I bought three and didn’t win anything, but the fifth person won a prize.”

Tickets had been delivered to outlets throughout the country for a high-profile launch – which was delayed by 24 hours due to a technical hitch.

1995: Maidenhead was gripped by Red Nose fever when all manner of mirthful mayhem took place in the town in aid of Comic Relief.

Bad taste dress was the order of the day at the Magnet Leisure Centre’s Bodyzone – including one woman wearing her husband’s Y-fronts.

1995: Berkshire College of Agriculture changed its name to Baa-kshire for an annual Lambing Weekend.

The event, heralding the arrival of spring, proved as popular as ever with thousands flocking to the Burchetts Green-based college.

2000: Angry youth leaders slammed a Royal Borough decision to place facilities for skateboarders and skaters near the existing BMX track in Braywick Park.

The £70,000 scheme was approved by councillors, who said Braywick was the best of those available.

But the River Church, which ran its own successful skateboarding events, said the decision was ill-founded and the proposed site could face problems with security and safety.