Donkey delays firemen

Engine held up as it races through lanes to attend incident, April 10, 1924 OLD MEMORIES REVIVED Extracts taken from past columns of the Newbury Weekly News

150 years ago April 9, 1874

Sabbath party

A SERIES of meetings of an interesting character have been held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Compton, to celebrate the Anniversary of the Sabbath School.

On Good Friday the friends assembled in large numbers to partake of tea, after which a public meeting was held in the chapel, being densely crowded. The children enlivened the meeting with recitations and singing between each speech, Miss Comfort presiding at the harmonium.

On Easter Monday the annual treat was given to the children, who assembled at the schoolroom at two o’clock, whence they marched to the downs, and amused themselves with various games till four o’clock, when the teachers and friends very literally supplied them with tea, cake, etc.

In the evening all repaired to the chapel, where a public meeting was held, and warm addresses were delivered to parents and teachers on the work of Sabbath Schools.

125 years ago

April 13, 1899

Praise for service

ON Easter Day Bucklebury Parish Church was unusually well filled, especially at the evening service, which closed with a hearty service of praise. The Te Deum (Dyke’s) and the anthem Awake thou that sleepest (Caleb Simper), were effectively sung by a full choir. The choral services of this country church have reached a high standard, and this is largely due to the indefatigable exertions of the organist, Mrs Davis.

The services here and at Marlston church were conducted by the Vicar (Rev Cecil H Gill, MA), and the curate (Rev J Price Jones, BA), and both churches were, as usual, most tastefully decorated. n On Friday and Saturday evenings a charming entertainment was given by the children of the Bucklebury School.

A varied programme was successfully rendered, and very warmly appreciated by the large numbers present on both evenings.

The first part consisted of numerous choruses, recitations, drills and action songs.

The infants’ nursery rhymes were most realistic, and the senior children’s drill was remarkably well done.

100 years ago April 10, 1924

No way past

IT is a practice and generally a wise one to give a clear road to the fire engine.

A donkey, however, had different ideas on Thursday afternoon on his right of way. It was a narrow lane and the donkey was in front.

The firemen rang their bell, sounded their horn and shouted, but Neddy refused to allow them to pass.

Rather he showed them a clean pair of heels and galloped ahead.

For at least half a mile it was a race between the donkey and the engine.

The engine was handicapped by the narrowness of the lane and even anxiety to get to the fire did not justify putting on full speed and and bumping the donkey.

The situation was saved by an open gate. The donkey took a sharp turn and the fireman passed by with a cheer.

75 years ago April 14, 1949

It’s a family affair

ONE of Lambourn’s bestknown figures, 72-year-old Mr HJ Rodbourn, of Pomona House, for 56 years racing

correspondent to national newspapers, hopes to see his family of 12 all present and correct next Tuesday so that in racing parlance he can announce “The above have arrived.”

Next Tuesday Mr and Mrs Rodbourn celebrate their golden wedding.

At their family celebration they hope to have not only their full complement of six sons and six daughters, but grandchildren as well.

The youngest daughter, Mrs JE Petrie, has already arrived – from California, along with her ex-GI husband and mother-in-law, Mrs Petrie senior, paying her first visit here.

Another son is coming from Montreal, where he has lived for 24 years, broken only by a spell in London during the war in Canadian Army uniform. The boat may be a couple of days late, but the family are confident that they can make the celebrations last a couple of days if necessary.

All the 12 Rodbourn sons and daughters are married save one, Peter, the youngest.

He is remedying the omission by marrying at Dover this Saturday and bringing his bride to the party. Mr Rodbourn is one of those men whom age cannot weary. He’s out on the downs bright and early seeking news of potential winners and likely runners.

50 years ago April 11, 1974

Still going strong

EVERY week for the past 22 years Mr Frank Burge, of 31 Bowling Green Road, Thatcham, has defied weather and advancing age and gone out on foot collecting for the Spastic League Club.

His many clients in shops and residences in and around Newbury would be surprised not to see him at his usual time even though they know he is nearing 80 years of age.

None of the 164 contributors to the league’s top 10 promotion pools whose names and addresses are listed in Mr Burge’s book is ever left out. Each pays him 8p when he calls and looks forward to the results of soccer matches that will determine the winners of the weekly competition, funds from which are used to help the handicapped.

To get around all his clients Mr Burge walks about nine miles on each of the two days of the week he goes out collecting.

Over the 22 years, this would mean he has walked some 1,000 miles on his rounds, and he is still doing it although, at 79, Mr Burge’s legs are not what they used to be.

25 years ago April 8, 1999

Pony appeal

POLICE who rescued five neglected Shetland ponies from a field near Midgham at the weekend are appealing to local animal lovers to give them a safe new home.

Thames Valley Police’s animal welfare officer, Mr Albert Honey, found the five ponies and another horse kept with them, suffering from emaciation, lice infestation, and with grossly overgrown hoofs and rain sores after being left outdoors without proper shelter over the winter. He said their owner, who has now signed away the rights over the horses, could not afford to look after them. “They’ve been going downhill all throughout the winter,” said Mr Honey, who has already called in a vet and a farrier to treat the animals and taken them to recover at a farm near Newbury.

“Their feet were overgrown, lice were walking all over their bodies, and they were in what could best be described as a poor state.

“They will be all right now. We are just looking for someone to look after them and give them tender loving care.”

10 years ago April 10, 2014

New park plans

THE town council is planning to demolish the old kiosk and boat store in Victoria Park to make way for a new building which will include a café, changing rooms, public toilets, a boat store and a park warden’s office.

The chairman of the town council’s Victoria Park working group, David Allen (Lib Dem, Victoria) said the majority of residents attending the public consultation running at Newbury Town Hall had reacted positively to the designs, although the very first person through the door suggested the design of the building should be less modern.

According to Mr Allen, comments from visitors have included “we often thought the existing facilities were poor”, “we think it looks fantastic for the heart of Newbury”, and “this is long overdue”.

Outside seating that could hear the bandstand on Sundays “would be ideal”.