INTO THE ARCHIVE: BBC explodes bus in Saffron Walden upsetting shoppers
March 6, 1986: Dancers in Saffron Walden Amateur Operatic Society prepared for their latest production, entitled White Horse Inn. Back Row, left to right: Kate Chambers, Phil Flynn, Pamela Jenner, Jane Jenkins, Cheryl Waters and Sarah Staniforth. Front row: Mandy Herschdorfer and Linda Holman. - Credit: Archant
The Reporter is turning back the clocks and delving into our archives to take you on a trip down memory lane. Here is our first look back to 1986, when the M25 around London was completed, Top Gun was on cinema screens and the Bangles walked like Egyptians.
March 13, 1986: Children at Saffron Walden County High with some of the Royal Marines who visited the schoo - Credit: Archant
In Saffron Walden, life was a bit quieter, save for the BBC upsetting shop owners with an exploding bus.
In March 1986, the Reporter covered how customers at the VB Video shop in Market Hill were forced to flee the building when it filled up with smoke due to a BBC film crew.
The BBC crew had blown up a bus in the market square during the second day of filming Boogie Outlaws – a three-part drama about a rock band on the run from the police in 1990s riot torn Britain.
The square was cleared of traffic and shopkeepers complained that the BBC had shown “complete disregard to others” during their filming and were furious over the loss of trade.
March 27, 1986: Children at Newport Primary School presented Dr John Glennie with a cheque for £500 for the Casualty Unit Fund after they held a spelling competition. Left to right: Headmaster Bill Ingham, Theresa Osborne, Adrian Baker, Dr Glennie, Martin Humphrey and Tommy Reynolds - Credit: Archant
Saffron Walden County High also had a new headteacher in March 1986 when David Boatman was appointed in the role, replacing Don Cousins. Mr Boatman said it was a “great privilege” to become the new head at the school and that he was confident for its future.
Mr Boatman would go on to hold the position for 18 years before being replaced by John Hartley in 2004, and now Caroline Derbyshire.
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The Government also gave Stansted Airport the go ahead for a £290million expansion to cater for 8million passengers a year at the Essex hub.
In comparison, in the 12 months ending January 2016, Stansted’s passenger numbers stood at 22.7million.
