Looking back in our archives

Feb 25 2010

February 26, 1960 BABY'S ROYAL BIRTHDAY BORN to a Fulham mother eight hours before the arrival of the Queen's baby was a bonny raven-haired boy.

When a Chronicle reporter called to congratulate the proud parents, Mr and Mrs William Pearce, of Radipole Road, the new arrival lay in his pink carry-cot and gurgled happily.

His name?

The parents are still undecided, but if the name of the new Prince is one the parents like, their son will bear the same name.

The mother, attractive Mrs Doreen Pearce, who is 22, and the baby, who weighed 6lb 4oz at birth, are both very well.

It is the couple's third child. Stephen, their first, is two years old and Susan, their second, is 12 months.

Mrs Pearce told a Chronicle reporter: "I was very thrilled when I heard later in the day that the Queen's baby had been born.

"My baby was also born on my father's 45th birthday."

Mrs Pearce's parents are Mr and Mrs William Soar, of Greyhound Road.

Her husband, Mr William Edward Pearce, aged 24, is a painter and decorator.

Their baby was born at 7.15am.

The couple were married at

Fulham Register Office four years ago.

25 years ago

March 1, 1985 ROW ERUPTS OVER AXE FOR KIDS' LIBRARY VAN

LABOUR councillors have slammed Hammersmith and Fulham's decision to axe the children's mobile library.

Angry opposition members have accused the Tory/Liberal administration of ignoring protest letters and petitions from over 15 local parent/teacher associations.

And Labour's Leisure and Recreation spokesman Councillor Joseph Mirwitch said: "This is a cruel attack on an essential service for our children."

The decision to axe the mobile library which visits 20 ILEA schools and six one o'clock clubs and day centres in the borough was taken at last week's meeting.

Vice-chairman of Leisure and Recreation Councillor Dominic Grieve said it was a regrettable decision which had to be made.

He explained the borough has two mobile libraries - one serving the adults and the other carrying books for children.

However, both vans were at the 'very end of their lives' and needed to be replaced.

But he said Hammersmith and Fulham Council just did not have the money to buy two new vans.

Instead, administration members had to take the best course of action and opt to replace the adult mobile library.