A FAMILY fun day with Shire horses, a fortune teller and a display of vintage cars was part of a big thank you from Iveco Ford, Langley, to their staff and families in 1995.

Over 3,000 workers, and their nearest and dearest, descended on the Brookfield Shire Centre at Maidenhead Thicket, as a reward for the commitment given by them during the recession.

One of the guests of honour during the day was Slough Mayor Mewa Mann, who was a former employee at the Langley factory.

Ascot Park Polo Club hosted the inaugural match of the Jean Lassale International Women’s Polo Tournament 25 years ago.

Peter Grace, and his four daughters launched the event, with a match between the best female polo players in the world.

The ‘Four Graces’, Pippa, Janey, Victoria and Katie Grace made up one team competed against a ‘Rest of the World’ squad which included Cindy Mason, Camilla Carlbom, Deborah Jean Nicols and Lesley Ann Masterson.

Victoria Grace explained: “We hope this tournament will provide a highly competitive focus for the international calendar, inspiring and encouraging the further development of women in this exciting and challenging sport.”

A wildlife roadshow held at the Observatory shopping centre in Slough was pronounced as a roaring success in 1995, with many visitors travelling from far and wide to see the animals on show.

The creatures on display included a seven-week-old lion cub, named Star, who became the centre of attraction with his keeper, Ian Gordon-Brander.

The show, which was run by Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire, was designed to promote animal awareness, also featuring animals such as owls, chinchillas, snakes and rabbits.

Slough’s Mayor, Cllr Mewa Mann, praised six globe-trotting local Scouts at a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour, before they departed to the World Scout Jamboree in the Netherlands.

Cllr Mann told the youngsters: “We are extremely proud of you all, it shows what a high standard of Scouting there is here in Slough that so many of you have been selected to take part in this international event.”

Lynch Hill School hosted an ‘It’s A Knockout’ style competition in Britwell, as part of a fundraising effort to boost the coffers of the Confectioners Benevolent Fund.

Slough Football in the Community ran out champions, but the biggest grudge match of the day was when the Observer staff went head to head with another rival local newspaper.

During the seven-legged race the members of the ‘other newspaper’ came off the rails and crashed out of the competition.

Headmaster of Arbor Vale School, John Mansfield, and his son Simon, raised more than £74,000 for a new hi-tech facility for severely handicapped children in Slough.

Just as astonishing was that the pair raised the cash by enduring 10 hours of windsurfing, for 50 miles, circumnavigating the Isle of Wight