50 Years ago: November 14, 1958

HENLEY’S observance of Remembrance Sunday last weekend saw the biggest attendance for some years at the open-air service in Market Place with a good number of people gathering in the morning sunshine to join the Mayor, Coun. L. Weston, members and officials of the town council and magistrates in silent tribute to the dead of two wars.

“I think the kids’ things are absolutely wonderful,” commented one of the visitors to the 10th annual art show at Nettlebed Village Hall. The comment was justified but it would have been just as true if it had been generalised and not merely particularised for there was much to please and little to offend the eye in the comprehensive exhibition, which ranged from the works of such well-known artists as John Piper to those of the children of nine and under at Nettlebed School.

There were few people to be seen in Henley last Saturday who were not wearing the poppy emblem of remembrance. A week earlier the local honorary organiser, Mrs D.R. Dunn, president of the women’s section of the Royal British Legion, was doubtful if she would have sufficient helpers to cover the district, particularly for the evening house-to-house collection. The increase in television viewing has meant many of these kind people often meet with a rebuff.

100 Years Ago: November 13, 1908

ON the occasion of the King’s birthday on Monday the retiring Mayor of the borough Alderman W. Anker Simmons wired congratulations to His Majesty at Sandringham as follows: “The inhabitants of Henley-on-Thames offer your majesty with great respect their hearty congratulations with the fervent hope that your valued life will long be spared to the Empire.” The reply stated: “The King commands me to convey to you and the inhabitants of Henley-on-Thames his sincere thanks for your loyal congratulations and good wishes, which he appreciates.”

Fred Mead, a labourer, of Market Place, Henley, was charged with having been drunk and disorderly in Duke Street, Henley, on November 5. Pc Shayler stated he saw the defendant with six other youths. He was drunk, throwing fireworks and making a lot of noise. On being requested to go home, Mead said he could walk straight and that he would go to the police station. When he got there he was given a chance to go home, refused and was locked up for the night.

Henley Junior Athletic Club held a handicap road race last Saturday from Assendon Saw Mills to the Henley town hall. Thirteen competitors started the race, which was won by W. Dunkley in a time of 16min 35sec. He was awarded a keyless watch.

25 Years Ago: November 11, 1983

A LIST of 73 sites in South Oxfordshire for housing development over the next seven or eight years has been put forward by the planning authority for discussion. It could be difficult to obtain planning permission for any site omitted from the list once it has been approved. The proposals have been made in response to Oxfordshire County Council’s “target” figures allowing up to 7,500 houses to be built in rural areas.

The trustees of Thamesfield Youth Association have won their lengthy battle to retain the land between Thamesfield and the Eyot Boat Centre, off Wargrave Road. Despite opposition from Henley’s county councillors, Oxfordshire County Council voted to negotiate terms with the trustees to make the land available “on a permanent or long-term basis” for youth activities.

John Phillips, South Oxfordshire’s chief planning officer, says he would like to see local authority housing on the Deanfield allotment site. In a paper on proposed development sites, the council suggests that 55 units would be appropriate for the 4.5-acre site. Mr Phillips said: “I would like to see fairly small units and hope for a local authority development there. We are fairly hopeful the town council will sell the land to use.”

10 Years Ago: November 13, 1998

THE Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, has been criticised this week for his attempts to modernise traditional court costume. Speaking to a Home Office select committee, he said: “For male adults of sound mind the days of breeches and tights and buckled shoes should really go.” However, the wife of Richard Ovey, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, dismissed the claim. Mr Ovey, who lives on Hernes Estate near Henley, was escorting a High Court judge in Oxford this week as part of his official duties, and Gillian Ovey explained he had no problems with his own court garments.

Urgent steps are being taken to make safe a danger zone along Henley’s Reading Road. Cars parked along the highway on either side of the entrance to the new Perpetual Park, and around Elliott’s, are causing a hazard to both pedestrians and traffic, said the mayor, Mr Allan Follett. These, together with the authorised parking opposite were creating a chicane that slowed traffic flow, he added.

A Henley printing and office supplies company is considering its options this week after a second set of expansion plans was rejected. South Oxfordshire’s southern area planning committee voted against revised plans submitted by The Higgs Group — which publishes The Henley Standard — on the grounds the development would be unneighbourly, create noise pollution and cause the loss of residential accommodation.