Splashing times

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

There wasn’t much happening in Peterborough on April 4 1977. The front page lead was a rather lame story about a Bill due to be published that day that could if it became law lead to traders being fined for unjustified price rises.

There was good news for home owners with the mortgage rate set to be cut from 12 and a quarter per cent. But the bad news was that the 90p gallon of petrol had arrived in the city. Nowadays a gallon costs about £5.50!

The city’s development corporation called in fraud squad officers after allegations had been made.

Also on the front page was a short piece about star of the Generation Game, Bruce For

syth who was coming to the city to put on his one-man show at the ABC Theatre.

The picture above offered readers a last look at Barnwell Station. The 100-yearold wooden building was being tranported on the back of a lorry to Wansford where it would become part of the station there.

City lorry drivers were not happy over parking. President of the city’s Trades Union Council Roger Howard said: “We’re not pigs to push into some field out of the way. We provide an important service to the community.’’

In international news there was bad news for teenage girls with pop heartthrob David Cassidy getting married in Las Vegas. He commented: “It was painless.’’

On the telly, BBC 1 had Ask The Family and ITV had Oh No It’s Selwyn Froggitt.

Getting around on two wheels was the preferred option for many. Bernards in Lincoln Road were specialists in mopeds and were chief agents for some top makes. Meanwhile, Colin Hinkins in Star Road had the answer for those who wanted pedal power with hundreds of Raleigh bikes in stock including, judging by the image, the muchloved Chopper.

On the subject of transport the Royal Automobile Club was seeking a service patrol to oper

ate from Glatton Service Centre.

The weekly wage was £40.50 but there was free transport and a free uniform on offer. The ad vert also said: “Persons with a telephone will be given preference.’’

from the Key Theatre and hopped around nine city pubs. Spokesman Brian Bayston said: “Everyone had to drink an alcoholic drink in every pub... and everyone did just that. “We all arrived at the last pub in very good spirits.’’

The Fen Tiger, Dave Boy Green, was up to Number 2 in the world welterweight rankings after a victory the previous week against John H Tracey. Peterborough Panthers narrowly lost out in a challenge match to local rivals Boston (40-38). Andy Hines was the star rider with 15 points. There was a defeat too for Borough 1st XV who went down 11-3 to Loughborough. Borough were well beaten reported the ET’s Bob French. John Williams with a penalty got Borough’s points. The athletics season got underway at the River Embankment arena with Peterborough AC hosting a friendly with seven other clubs. Pictured are javelin thrower Colin Hargrave and 200m runners Paul Meadows, Andrew Newman and Paul Goode.

In sports news, the ET revealed local lad Mark Heeley was set to get an extended run in the Posh first team at the tender age of 17. Boss Noel Cantwell said: “I want to bring Mark into the side on a regular basis between now and the end of the season.’’ Heeley came on as a substitute in Saturday’s game against Oxford which saw Posh secure their first away win for 57 weeks.

These ‘two lovely lasses’ were members of Peterborough Rotoract Club who took part in a three-legged pub crawl to raise money for Friends Of The Samartians. Jayne Shaw and Sharon Leggett joined 15 other pairs who set off