Half a century between banquets for chamber president

Half a century separated two banquets hosted by retired solicitor John Handcock.

He was president of Windsor's Chamber of Commerce when the first banquet was held on November 20, 1962, at the Castle Hotel.

On Tuesday, November 20, 2012, Mr Handcock - now aged 82 and enjoying his third term as chamber president - hosted a 'replica' banquet at the Guildhall, Windsor, which also celebrated the 110th anniversary of the Chamber.

He jokingly told the 70 guests: "Last time we held a banquet like this the world was recovering from the Cuban missle crisis and the Cold War was at its height. Relations weren't much better between the chamber and the council in those days."

But he assured everyone that they were much better now.

Guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Mary Bayliss, governor of Windsor Castle Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen, Dean of Windsor Rt Rev David Conner and Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Colin Rayner.