One of Berkshire’s most iconic structures was taking shape in Bracknell in the summer of 1985 when permission for a dry ski slope was approved.

Millionaire businessman John Nike took delivery of the £100,000 chair lift and the Bracknell News printed a handy photo marking out the slope with a huge white ‘bed sheet’.

The slope would be 150 meters in length-making it the biggest of its kind in England but what is remarkable about this photo is that all the surrounding area in Binfield has no buildings visible, just green fields.

Crowthorne’s Transport and Road Research Laboratory had nine fluffy unexpected visitors when a cardboard box full of tiny kittens were discovered.

Luckily for the feline bundles of fur they were found in good health and a temporary home was found at nearby Wokingham animal rescue centre.

But this was just the tip of the ‘soft kitty’ iceberg as nearly 200 animals had also been delivered to the centre and owner Diane Brimblecombe told the Bracknell News:”We have never had as many animals left in one week it might be people are going on holiday and cannot afford to put their pets in kennels.”

The spirit of Ben Hur swept into Sandhurst when the town held its first Roman-style chariot race through its streets but three local pubs were too much of a distraction for the runners from the local residents association.

Pangbourne College opened the first phase of its new sports complex with Prince Andrew as special guest and he presented cadets awards at the Founder’s Day prize giving.

Speaking at the unveiling of a plaque the ‘young prince’ told the audience:”We in the Royal Navy greatly value our historic connection with Pangbourne-at the very least we don’t have to teach you how to salute!”

The Berkshire Embroiderer’s Guild decided to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 1985 by saying it with flowers.

Planting a huge display in Forbury Gardens which marked out the guild’s logo the members celebrated the success of the group which started out with a handful of women meeting in each others houses to a membership of over 300.

Bygones last week brought you the story of a Slough hardware store celebrating its anniversary but 32 years ago it was not such a happy story when a car smashed through its front window display.

The unexpected visitor to H.E.Rabbitt and Sons wrecked a display cabinet and sent staff and customers dashing for cover.

Hundreds of children’s favourite cuddly toys descended on Windsor Safari Park as it held a Teddy Bears Picnic in aid of the Save the Children Fund.

The International Teddy Bear Club organised an open air lunch and a series of games and races-plus a huge teddy bear parachute freefall-although this bizarre event was not pictured or explained in the Slough Observer.

Cliveden House was due to open as a hotel later in 1985 and it announced that the Hon. John Sinclair would be its first general manager for the change over from the former Astor family home to a luxury venue.

Having worked at the Savoy Grill and Lancaster Hotel in Paris (which he had managed) the Observer were lucky to get a photo of the busy Mr Sinclair-with Cliveden covered in scaffolding behind-as it was being renovated and alterations being made for hotel use.