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10 years ago – May 23, 2014
Gary’s sworn in
Thatcham’s new mayor and deputy were sworn in at an official ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
Gary Johnson, a Liberal Democrat ward member for Thatcham West, was handed his ceremonial chains at the event at the Frank Hutchings Community Hall.
On proposing Mr Johnson for the role, town councillor Owen Jeffery (Lib Dem, Thatcham South and Crookham) described him as “a driven and vibrant man”.
Mr Jeffery said: “Councillor Johnson is a man of action; he is always on the look-out for new ideas that can be used to advance and improve our town and the way in which the council works to make our community a better place to live.
“We will enjoy a year that is full of vigour, with innovative ideas and wholehearted support for every way to drive our town for ward – because he cares deeply, and I dare to say passionately, about involving all the people of Thatcham, and making our town an even greater place to visit, to work – and to live.”
Mr Johnson moved to Thatcham in 1983 and was elected on to the town council three years ago.
He was already well known in the town, having established the Pound Lane Action Group, which stopped the field there being developed over.
25 years ago – May 20, 1999
Football fortune
Staff at a betting shop in Tadley are anxiously waiting to meet the man who has scooped nearly £600,000 from a £130 accumulator bet.
The mystery punter, who has yet to come forward to collect his cash, won the amount – the biggest to be paid out by a Coral shop for a football bet – after successfully predicting the eight teams to win the English and Scottish leagues.
The man clinched the £589,803 prize after Manchester United triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur, snatching the Premiership title.
He also predicted Sunderland to win Division One, Fulham for Division Two and Brentford for Division Three, along with naming Rangers to win the Scottish Premier, Hibernian for Scotland First, Livingstone for Scotland Second and Ross County for Scotland Third.
Having secured seven eighths of the bet, the lucky winner declined an offer most fans would have given their right arm for, to watch the nail-biting Premiership conclusion in all its glory at Old Trafford.
At the time the punter placed his first bet, the total odds were a staggering 7,319 to one, and thankfully for him, he paid his tax beforehand – a snip at just £11.70.
Paying tax after his success would have set him back £53,082.
Branch manager at Coral’s in Mulfords Hill, Tadley, Mr Charlie Spivey, confirmed it was the biggest win ever for Corals, at shop level, and said it was frustrating that the man had not yet come forward.
“The press are sitting outside the front door,” he said.
50 years ago – May 23, 1974
Tommy gets set
Tommy the Turnpike Terrapin creeps nearer to completion… ready for crafty raft day on Monday.
It is the brainchild of a fourth former at Turnpike, 15-year-old Barry Open.
His design was chosen from several submitted by other pupils whose ideas included a cup and saucer design and a whale.
Turnpike schoolmaster Graham Woodhams has advised the children on the materials to be used during the four-week construction.
So far materials have cost around £15 which has been spent on timber, unbleached calico and muslin.
Inside the raft, which is designed to accommodate a crew of five, there’s room for four rowers and a cox.
The oars have been made in the woodwork shop and the paddles have been fashioned into webbed feet which gives Tommy that extra bit of realism.
The craft is steered from behind with a sophisticated rudder, operated by a cox, who will sit facing the bow.
On the day, there will be two teams competing and they will take turns in the raft.
A back-up team of reserves will be on call if needed.
Tommy has already proved a success, and the first launch went off without a hitch.
The next test comes when Tommy takes to the water again… this time with his head and body.
