On this day in 1971: 'Decimal Day' in West Berkshire A look-back at the Newbury Weekly News' coverage of decimalisation Charlie Masters 07964 444701 Change in new pence for one "customer" as a Newbury shop assistant teaches decimal currency to old people from Fair Close Day Centre - February 11, 1971 '); On February 15, 1971, life in West Berkshire changed forever. On that day, the UK finally phased out tanners, shillings and half-crowns and thruppeny bits and replaced the currency with a decimalised system. From then on, most shops, banks and traders would only deal in the new system of pounds and pence. The switch had been announced five years in advance and West Berkshire residents had plenty of time to prepare. In the run-up to 'D-Day', the