here was the news

40 YEARS AGO: 1961

A THREE point plan to save the Green at Woodford Bridge was drawn up by campaigners. The newly formed Save the Green Committee planed to start a petition, contact the police's Road Safety Officer and call a public protest meeting.

THIEVES got away with 250 drills worth £1,900 after they raided a warehouse in South Woodford. Entering through a window the thieves cherry picked the goods before loading them up into a stolen van.

20 YEARS AGO: 1981

A PHARMACIST was pistol whipped during an armed raid on his Wanstead pharmacy. Two armed men made off with a haul of dangerous drugs in the afternoon attack.

A YOUNG opera singer and former Wanstead High School pupil, who ran off with the headmaster when she was 18, was honoured by the Society of West End Theatre managers.

The 24-year-old, who married her former head teacher, won an achievement prize for her role in the Sadler's Wells production of the The Gypsy Princess. The headmaster's ex-wife first noticed the pair had feelings for each other when she saw backstage together at a school operetta.

10 YEARS AGO: 1991

BROADMEAD estate, Woodford Green, was chosen by the Government to benefit from a £12 million facelift. A resident welcomed the cash injection by saying: "I'm thrilled. I think it will help restore people's pride in the estate and get rid of some of the vandalism. People won't dread renting a flat on the estate after this regeneration."

A THIEF in the night stole a watch from a sleeping homeowner's bed side table. A Woodford Green housewife woke to find her watch missing, jewellery and electrical goods gone. The cheeky thief even polished off some sliced beef from the fridge. He escaped with his haul in the back of the family car.