With Windsor Castle, Eton College and Ascot Racecourse within its boundaries it is not surprising that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has featured in a number of film and TV shows, as well as the camcorder screens of many a visitor.

From the early 1950’s to mid 1960’s Bray Studios, by the river Thames between Windsor and Bray, echoed to the screams of Hammer Films - its principal building, Down Place, and backlot standing in for, amongst others, Dracula’s Castle and Baskerville Hall. Nearby the Victorian Gothic turrets of Oakley Court, now a hotel and conference venue, also featured in several Hammer movies, including “The Reptile”, but gained cult horror status of its own by being Dr. Frank N Furter’s Castle in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”.

However, the rather less gothic façade of Maidenhead Town Hall provides my favourite piece of Royal Borough trivia and a link with another great British film institution. Just a mere whisper of “Ooh Matron” and you are no longer standing outside the Town Hall but Borough County Hospital, the setting for “Carry on Doctor”

Built in the early 1960’s and rather utilitarian in style the outside of the Town Hall, red brick and sturdy with manicured lawns and municipal flower arrangements, does look suitably institutional. Inside are the customer service centre, council chamber, civic offices, a coffee shop and one of the local theatres, the Desborough Suite. Externally the building featured in three Carry on films - “Doctor”, “Carry on Again, Doctor” and “Carry on Behind” - and little seems to have changed on the outside since Barbara Windsor’s bestockinged legs sashayed through the front entrance.

As to whether the local councillors are aware of the building’s “Carry On” connections I couldn’t say. Perhaps next time I am canvassed for a vote I should adopt the Bernard Bresslaw approach
“Oh I dreamt about you last night”
“Did you”
“No you wouldn’t let me”!

www.principal-hayley.com/venues-and-hotels/the-oakley-court
www.rbwm.gov.uk/
www.windsor.gov.uk/xsdbimgs/Column%20Images/column_maidenhead_townhall.jpg

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