TV weather forecast presenter, Barbara Edwards, was looking forward to a brighter future as the new head of public relations at the Met Office in Bracknell in 1979.

Having spent the last four years on television and radio, Barbara had realised she was better off behind the scenes: “I am not a public kind of person,” she told the Bracknell News, “This is why I am giving up TV.”

In her new position she would be dealing with media inquiries and escorting parties of visitors around the Met Office complex.

Garth Hill School held their first ever Rag Parade 40 years ago, to help raise for the International Year of the Child charity, and promptly raised over £100.

The Rag Week was the biggest the school had ever organised, with all the pupils getting involved rather than just the sixth formers.

Some of the fun events included the ‘kidnapping’ of a teacher, tug-of-war and monster raffle, plus an out of hours disco and a rock concert, which featured the well-known local band Equus.

Plans of the Bullbrook School Action Committee to air their grievances over the schools threatened closure on local radio, almost came to nothing, when the broadcasters “pulled the plug”.

When Anne Morley, Jean Smith and Tony Hulbert arrived at the Radio 210 studios they were told their time “on the air” was to be cut, but another programme later in the day would give them a slot.

After eventually appearing on air Tony Hulbert told the News: “I am convinced the education authorities are determined to close as many local schools as possible.”

When Ascot-born Stuart Sullivan celebrated his eight birthday in 1979, he did so without receiving his annual signed card from his beloved Ipswich Town FC.

Since joining the club’s ‘Junior Blues’ supporters group Stuart had looked forward to getting his card, but the club had incorrectly addressed the envelope, causing Post Office staff to wonder who it was for.

When Ipswich manager Bobby Robson was contacted by the News, he invited Stuart to meet his hero Paul Mariner at the teams next home fixture, adding: “We are very glad this story had a happy ending and we will do our best to see that he enjoys the game.”

Bagshot Road music student, Timothy Stevenson, 17, was runner-up in an International Composers’ Competition after sending in his ‘avant garde’ composition “Sunday Morning At The Park.”

Timothy, who had been playing the violin since he was 11, was presented with a cheque for £75 by the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s manager William Relton, who promptly invited him to attend their next rehearsal.

As part of a special feature called “Industrial Review” the Bracknell News got very excited 40 years ago about the launch of a new range of Yale electric rider fork lift trucks.

The two-page spread announced that the new trucks were: “Faster, quieter and safer, meeting the material handling challenges of the 1980s.”