Members of Berkshire’s Civil Defence Corps took part in “Operation Seafoam” in 1963, a full-scale exercise mimicking the devastation caused by a nuclear war.

The men and women from Bracknell, Wokingham and Ascot travelled to a ruined village near Eastbourne, where they had a chance to practice their search and rescue skills.

The bomb, which had ‘exploded’ at breakfast time, had not reached the ground, but had caused damage over a wide area and knocked out electricity supplies and telecommunications.

The Corps then had to send out reconnaissance parties to assess the scale of damage and numbers of injured people, the ‘victims’ being played by actors who had been covered in realistic make-up.

Popular Bracknell-based ‘beat combo’ The Avalons were visiting their favourite haunts in 1963 before trying to hit the big time in the cut-throat pop music business.

The group had just signed a contract with the Arthur Lowe Agency and under his management were set to have a special try-out with RCA recording executives.

They would be sending their own compositions and arrangements to Germany and the USA after playing at the Astor Club in London.

Over 30 Suffolk Punch horses attended a Sunday service in Winkfield Row 56 years ago, conducted by the local vicar, Rev. Harcourt Trevor.

Two local prize-winning Suffolk’s, Dolly and Sue, attended the celebration with farmworker Peter Bodman, who told the Bracknell News: “They’re wonderful workers, I don’t know how anyone can do without horses on a farm, Suffolk’s especially!”

The California Ratepayers’ Association invited visitors to “Help us raise the roof” at their annual ‘Makemerry’ event in Finchampstead Road, Wokingham in 1963.

But, at the time, there was no roof to their new hall, but hoped that the money raised at the fete would go a long way to reach their intended target of £1,200.

Many artists performed in the ‘roofless’ space, including a local twist group called the “Avengers” and an appearance of Dale Chimps, fresh from a successful summer season in Blackpool.

A fancy-dress parade was held for the children and for the adults there was a “knobbly knees” and “prettiest ankle” contest.

A full-page ‘advertorial’ for Bracknell Motors extolled the virtues of their large range of garage services, including collecting and delivering customers with their own transporter.

Included in the servicing section was Crypton Electronic Tuning and fault finding, along with preparing cars for motor racing competitions.

When the Bracknell and District Produce Association held their annual event in Victoria Hall 56 years ago, it was retired Colonel Trevithick who stole the show, winning first prize in the fruit section.

The Colonel had brought some peach stones from Canada twelve years previously, and for the first time the trees had born fruit, describing them to the News as “300 ripe juicy monsters.”