Back in the day: We delve into our archives to see what was going on 10 years ago, 25 years ago and 50 years ago this week

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10 years ago – April 23, 2015

High Benchmark

A Kintbury firm has been named by Buckingham Palace today – the Queen’s birthday – as winners of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development .

This is the second time that renowned furniture maker Benchmark has won the award, the UK’s highest accolade for business success.

In the award citation, the judges noted: “A second Sustainable Development Award is made to Benchmark, a furnituremaker having long established focus on craftsmanship, design and sustainability.”

Sean Sutcliffe, who co-founded Benchmark with Kintbury entrepreneur Sir Terence Conran in 1984, said: “Receiving this award for the second time is an achievement that the whole team at Benchmark is extremely proud of.”

For more than 25 years, Benchmark has recruited young staff locally and trained them through an award-winning apprenticeship programme.

25 years ago – April 20, 2000

Local heroes

Two neighbours who saved the life of a 12-year-old Thatcham boy on Sunday have been nominated for an official fire service award.

Firemen say the neighbours who helped rescue Ricky Hauxwell from a blazing garage in Ullswater Close, then gave him vital first aid treatment before paramedics arrived, should be commended for their bravery and quick thinking.

Ricky, who was in hospital yesterday with 20 per cent burns to his legs and arms, was playing in the garage with a friend when the fire started.

However, he managed to get out with the help of Fred Cummings, who used a car fire extinguisher to douse the flames.

He was taken to the home of another neighbour, Christine Stepp, who remembered her first aid training from some years ago and put Ricky in the shower, running cool water on him until paramedics arrived.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Jacqui McGachie, said that the neighbours had been nominated for the award by the officer in charge of fighting the fire.

She said: “The officer is of the opinion that their actions saved Ricky’s life.”

50 years ago – April 28, 1975

Queens of squash

The women of Meadowview Squash Club, Hungerford, are justified in feeling very pleased with themselves at the end of the season.

This was their first season of competitive play and not only did they have friendly matches against AERE, AWRE, South Marston and Red Rice, but entered the Maidenhead and District Inter-Club League, and won all but one match and tied for first position to put themselves in line for promotion to Division 1 next season.

Altogether 14 women represented the club in matches and as a result of match experience where some long and hard battles were fought a high standard of play was achieved.

Those representing the club in league matches were Jane Garnett, Margaret Taylor, Maggie Needham, Rita McVittie and Lynn Pugh.