Phantom of Stockcross has a date at the Palace
Long-serving cobbler to receive royal approval for his services, March 15, 1996 OLD MEMORIES REVIVED Extracts taken from past columns of the Newbury Weekly News
150 years ago
March 30 1871
The approaching census
ONCE in every 10 years is the population of the British Isles numerically ascertained, and another of these decennial numberings of the people is just at hand.
On Monday morning next every householder in the United Kingdom will be required to fill up a printed form, which will be delivered to him, furnishing therein particulars of the number of persons who abode in his house next Sunday night, their names, ages, sex, relation to himself, condition or occupation, and other particulars.
It appears this is the eighth census of the British Isles, the first having been taken in 1801, with the view of restoring public confidence and furnishing a reply to those who considered that they had grounds for lamenting that the population as well as the wealth and influence of Great Britain were on the decline.
The result of the census was most satisfactory, for it was shown that the population of Great Britain was 10,834,623, whereas in 1751, 50 years before, when an estimate of the population had been made, it was only 7,392,000.
From 1801 to 1861 the population of Great Britain has been steadily increasing, at the last census the number being 29,321,288, inclusive of Ireland.
125 years ago
March 26 1896
Bright lights of Broadway
THE Broadway is once more a centre of light – as it always has been.
Since the erection of the Jubilee Clock, the illumination of that part of the town has been very dim, almost dismal.
When the new clock was erected the ordinary street lamps were removed, so that the illumination might proceed from the central column.
But this plan was not a success. The lamps neither showed the time of night, nor afforded much guidance to Speenhamlanders journeying homewards after dark.
The Town Council have made a good many experiments, but all have been more or less failures. A final effort has now been made, which promises to afford satisfaction all round.
The lamps have been removed from the ornamental arms, and four standards placed around the base.
Lighted by incandescent burners they shed a clear light all over the Broadway, while the face of the clock is plainly discernible in the darkness.
The Mayor with the chairman of the Gas Committee, and other members of the Corporation, were present on Monday evening when the new system was inaugurated.
And they voted it a great improvement.
100 years ago March 24 1921
Easter’s early arrival
EASTER can occur as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th, and therefore this year is within six days of its earliest. Easter Day is always the first Sunday after the full moon, which happens upon, or next after the 21st of March, and this was on the 23rd.
There has been considerable agitation for a fixed Easter, because of liability to variation in date.
The demand is made by those who desire a definite time more for the holidays than from any desire to change the time of holding the ecclesiastical festival.
The Bill for fixing Easter on the second Sunday in April is with the idea of ensuring more genial conditions for the first bank holiday of the year, but even Parliament cannot ensure
that by legislation.
Early or late there is no guarantee about the weather, but this year as the season is a month well ahead, there is reason to hope that the time will be favourable.
Spring started on Monday with a fair promise.
75 years ago March 21 1946
Escape from the Gestapo
MRS Patterson presided at the March meeting of the Eastbury and East Garston Women’s Institute in the absence, through illness, of Miss O Bristow.
The resolutions for the annual meeting of the NFWI were voted on.
Miss Margaret Collyer gave a most absorbing account of her personal experiences in Berlin before the war and in Holland when the Germans over-ran the country.
She described the escape of two friends from the Gestapo, and her own escape in a cargo boat, amid bombing, from Holland in 1940.
Hostesses for the evening were Mrs Hobbs, Misses M and H Leaver and Miss Painter. An amusing display of hats belonging to members of the committee, with Mrs Townsend as model and fitted by Mrs Soames, caused much laughter and provided a good memory test.
50 years ago March 18 1971
Percy earns his wings
COUNCILLOR Percy Burgess, a former RAF Wing Commander who is now spokesman for the Conservative Party on Newbury Town Council, has been chosen as the next Mayor.
At the council’s selection committee meeting on Monday, Ald JH Hole said he had pleasure in proposing “one of the most respected members of the council”.
He was seconded by Ald Maurice Paine, and the vote was unanimous.
Coun Burgess (57) was elected to the council at his first attempt.
He said he became a candidate because all his life he had been in the Services and felt he would like to take some interest in local affairs.
“Like most people I have spent a lot of my life complaining and I felt I should do something about it,” he commented.
He has served on most committees. This year he is on planning and housing and is chairman of the estates and general purposes committee. As Mayor, Coun Burgess said he would like to carry on the tradition the present Mayor has set in maintaining the good image of the civic community. “I would also like young people to take more interest and take an active part in civic functions – use their abilities to improve the town to their liking,” he said.
25 years ago
March 15 1996 Cobbler’s royal visit
THE “Phantom Cobbler of Stockcross” was at Buckingham Palace this week to collect his MBE medal from the Queen. Mr Mike Pike was appointed an MBE in the New Year’s honours.
On Tuesday, he put on his top hat and tails for a very special occasion, followed by a slap-up dinner at the Dorchester Hotel. Mr Pike, who is aged 55 and lives in Glebe Lane, was awarded the honour for his service to the communities of Marsh Benham and Stockcross, where he has been a parish councillor for 25 years. He earned the “phantom cobbler” nickname from a customer who, for years, left shoes to be repaired by Mr Pike, picked them up and paid for them – without ever meeting him.
Mr Pike has lived in the village for 40 years.
10 years ago
March 24 2011
Haribo fit for a prince
A NEW Haribo sweets range, inspired by the royal wedding, was handed over to the owners of Peach’s Store, Upper Bucklebury, after it was claimed by the store owners that a visiting Kate Middleton and Prince William favoured the sweets. The director of Haribo, Herwig Vennekens, and brand mascot Goldbear attended the store to hand over the exclusive treats, Hearts & Rings and Other Nice Things, which will not be available anywhere else in the world. They were handed over to the store owners Hash and Chan Shingadia, who have been invited to the royal wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29. Mr Shingadia said: “When Goldbear turned up with cases of Hearts & Rings and Other Nice Things we were overwhelmed.
“The royal couple do come in here for Haribo and we are really looking forward to offering them something completely new.”