November 8, 1966

A look back at this day in Peterborough’s history from the Telegraph archives

There was a shock for Posh fans on the front page of the ET on Tuesday, November 8,1966. The lead story revealed the former chairman of Peterborough United was facing 18 allegations of fraud.

Vic Grange, from Ramsey, appeared before a special sitting of Peterborough Magistrates Court to face the charges which related to “transactions with finance companies over motor vehicles and trailers’’.

The court heard most of

On the back page, the PT reported that Posh manager Gordon Clark was battling an injury crisis and was struggling to name a team for a Football Combination fixture at Coventry. Internationally, 24 women bowls players were disqualified from a tournament in New Zealand because their skirts were more than 13 inches from the ground!

the money obtained had already been paid back.

On page 3 there was a report of a lucky escape. The PT reported: “A 64-year-old Whittlesey smallholder had a narrow escape from death when his foot slipped off the clutch pedal on his tractor.’’

Mr Archibald Lavender denied careless driving after his tractor crashed into a railway barrier as a train passed.

Magistrates dismissed the case against Mr Lavender who said: “I was frightened to death.’’

In another court report a

A story on the front page reported details of the funeral of Sir Arthur Warboys who was described as “the man who rose from office boy to become head of the multi-million pound London Brick company”.

Sir Arthur had died suddenly at his home in Luton.

He joined London Brick in 1901 as a 15-year-old, rising to managing director in 1927 and chairman in 1950.

He was knighted in the 1966 New Year’s Honours list. The picture above shows the captain of Border Badminton Club Jim Clarkson addressing members at a club night at London Road Drill Hall. Finally there was a piece on Peterborough plumber Albert Reedman and his packed trophy cabinet. His sport was pigeon racing and “his wife is kept busy polishing the trophies which never cease to rise in number’’!

Back in 1966 we were a long way from equal opportunity and many job adverts specified the gender necessary to be a succesful applicant.

Shelton’s store were also recruiting a young man for the furnishing department and a young lady for the fabric department!

54-year-old woman who was described as ‘young’ was fined £5 for swearing at police officers. She had been cycling in and out of cat’s eyes when spotted by the police in a van who honked the horn provoking the women to turn round and swear at the officers!

Elsewhere a short story revealed that “any recent delays to mail delivery in Peterborough are due to fog problems, a Post Office official said.

ITV was showing Thunderbirds for the kids and Des O’Connor for the grown-ups while the BBC had Bewitched.

The Peterborough branch of the National Federation of Fish Fryers held their annual dinner and dance at the Cooperative restaurant. Lindsay Freeman and Mr R Freeman presented flowers and a barometer to branch chairman and his wife Mr and Mrs D. Gale.

The museum was the venue for the latest meeting of Peterborough Floral Decoration Society (pictured below) A Christmas themed demonstration was given by Mrs Margaret Perkins, chairman of the London and Overseas Club.The demonstration was the most popular of the year and was preceeded by the AGM.It was agreed to raise annual subscription from a guinea to 30 shillings.

The reason given was more money was being spent on demonstrators’ fees and expenses.

I blame Mrs Perkins!