The return of peace time gave the local Town Council the opportunity to start redevelopment of Maidenhead. There was a desperate shortage of housing and one of the first tasks was to build a new estate at Pinkneys Green. The new roads were named after RAF aircraft. For the duration of the war, White Waltham Airfield was the HQ of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Although German bombers could be heard nearly every night, Maidenhead never interested them. There was nothing worth bombing. Councillor Wayne then wanted permission for traffic signals at the junction of the High Street and King Street. As well as morning drop-ins, a local autism group holds regular coffee mornings and social evenings at the pub for parents and carers of autistic children and young adults. The ‘Maidenhead Memories’ group have also held their first meeting at The Craufurd Arms and are planning to meet on the first Wednesday of every month. This group helps to bring together any isolated members of the community.

Our pupils have really enjoyed making their clay pigs in a wonderful variety of forms and colours and are looking forward to seeing Maidenhead's new pig statue in all its glory.Daniel Gillespie, headteacher at Beech Lodge School, said: "We at Beech Lodge School are delighted to be involved in this lovely ‘pig celebration’. There was little choice of clothes, if you wanted to wear anything different we had to make do and mend. Chocolate, sweets and ice-creams were a rarity.

In December 2012 the Golden Harp pub in Furze Platt (situated a mile north of the Craufurd Arms) was closed and re-developed into a convenience store. Tesco had secured a 20-year lease on the property without consulting the community as at the time it was not a requirement to do so. As part of the celebration, one student from Beech Lodge School was chosen to receive a special prize due to his creative sculpture design. Then off to work at the old Police Station, just off Queen Street - Berkshire Constabulary then, follwed by a decade at a local insurance brokers in York Road. Those early years are remembered so well - walking to Courthouse Primary, across the park, lessons with Mrs Palmer. Then on to Gordon Road secondary, initially to the annexe on Castle Hill, then the main school, always down Belmont Vale, by my friends house. Those were the days of Mr Addison (kipper), our head - a strict task master - pity there are not so many now. So here's to you all, those that were there from 1962 to 1966, and Messrs Severn, Bristow, Lacey and the rest of the teachers I've forgotten, if you're still around.We modelled the sculpture in a style that we felt conveyed the animal's appealing nature. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by those who encounter it for years to come.” Meanwhile, school children in Mill Park had damaged the trees, so the council would be asking for the Headmaster to deal with these children. The sculpture is made from pieces of mild steel which have been beaten into shape then welded together. Mr Bayford from the Public Health team is seen talking to the owner of Steventon’s Stores (“Phone 386”!)

What he didn’t realise was that in 1967 the new Town Hall’s frontage was to feature as the Hospital in Carry On Doctor, with Barbara Windsor pictured filming a scene there. Church bells would have been rung as a warning if there had been an invasion, but thankfully it never happened. The Nazis were not prepared for such action at the time. I saw it quite clearly and stood trembling with fear waiting for an explosion. An explosion never came.

The Bats

There was a rush by men of 40 and over to join the newly formed Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), later renamed The Home Guard. We carefully covered the surface with individual beads of weld that give the impression of the Berkshire Pig's characteristic long hair. Christie added: “It has been our pleasure to welcome the children of Beech Lodge School to Waterside Quarter to unveil this fabulous new sculpture. I’d like to express a huge thank you to all the students from Beech Lodge School and their teachers for helping us mark this splendid occasion.” In attendance were the councillors, the Town Clerk, Aldermen (the elders of the council), the Borough Surveyor, the Borough Treasurer, the Medical Officer of Health, the Borough Librarian and members of the public (who may have included local newspaper staff).

I continued to do my paper round and discovered that one of my customers was George Allison, the manager of Arsenal Football Club. The pub is prominently located on Gringer Hill, in a densely populated residential suburb, approximately one mile north of the town centre and mainline station.

The Lion

When they were formed, The Home Guard had little or no equipment – they armed themselves with shotguns and pistols and wore armbands because there were no proper uniforms.