25 years ago Derby born Len Hargreaves is all set to become the new Mayor of Richmond upon Thames next Tuesday. Cllr Hargreaves will be installed in York House, Twickenham, and succeed the popular Cllr George Kenton. He moved to the borough in 1945, and his work in the oil and chemical industry took him to all parts of the world before he retired.

A PRISON officer was sent for trial last week charged with handling stolen property. The 22-year-old, who gave his address as Latchmore House, Ham Common, appeared at Richmond accused of handling two car speakers. He elected trial by jury.

Richmond's largest teaching union, the NUT, this week voted by a majority of over two to one to continue industrial action in pursuit of a pay claim. Members of the NUT, who number about 550 - voted in favour of the call to refuse to supervise out of school activities, to put a ban on taking lunchtime duties, and to stop using their cars on council business except in emergency cases.

50 years ago NPL director inaugurates country's biggest generator: With a crash and a crackle, a discharge of over three million volts of electricity sizzled over a string of insulators suspended from the ceiling in the high voltage department at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington on Wednesday. High up over the darkened hall, a grey suited man stood at an electric control panel. He leaned forward and touched a button and coloured lights sprang to life on the panel. Generators hummed into activity.

Strange, loud noises coming from the Children's Riding School, Park-lane, Teddington, on Monday evening, alarmed neighbours so much that police were called. Police officers who investigated discovered that one of the horses had broken loose from its stall and was running berserk inside the stables. It was apparently suffering from some form of fit. Mr Keith Luxford, owner of the stables, was called, and he in turn summoned a veterinary surgeon. The horse was destroyed.

100 years ago THE second entertainment of the season took place on Tuesday last at Archdeacon Cambridge's Evening Continuation School., which was tastefully decorated with flags and plants. The first part of the programme was variety. The four boys in the singing consist sustained their parts well. The nigger burlesque afforded much amusement and the make-up was splendid.

TWICKENHAM District Council - The Health Committee considered the question of providing sanitary conveniences in Water-lane. The surveyor prepared a plan showing how part of the Black Dog inn could be utilised, the owners willing to grant a lease. Mr Ayland asked whether underground conveniences could be installed.

WHEN a few weeks ago, a picked team from the Petersham Rifle Club entered for one of the competitions at Olympia, it was not anticipated by even their most enthusiastic supporters that they would secure the trophy and few were disappointed at the rather poor account they gave of themselves.