THE Reading half returned to its rightful place in the calendar after several years disruption. The 2019 race was cancelled at the 11th hour due to snow, while 2020 was cancelled due to covid, and 2021 was moved to the autumn.
Finally, it was a springtime race again, and we celebrated with a celebratory six-page special.
Judith Manson, race director, was delighted. “What a wonderful occasion for everyone, even the weather came to the party providing perfect running conditions,” she said.
Ukraine continued to be at the forefront of the community’s mind, with a table top sale held at Wycliffe Baptist Church. Digital artist Leslee Barron sold prints, cards and images of the Newtown gas tower to raise £200 for the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Ukraine.
“Like many, reading about Ukraine made me feel absolutely useless. I felt I had to do something,” she said.
Also trying to do something to help was the Diocese of Oxford, which announced it was partnering with Citizens UK to support the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, offering accommodation for people fleeing the invaded country.
The Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Revd Liz Jackson, said: “We are carefully matching people with hosts, and we will support hosts too.”
Caversham book shop Fourbears Books welcomed artist Jo Clarke for a signing of her latest novel, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle. It’s the first in the series called The Travelling School Mysteries, and is about a young mystery lover. She met fans and signed copies.
Store owner Alex Forbes said: “We were delighted to have Jo visit. She was fantastic with the younger readers.”
Plans to build 620 homes on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting depot in Caversham Road were unveiled. It would see seven tower buildings and seven town houses built on the site, along with a health centre and two office and community use buildings. However, Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning group said it was not aware of any local need for a new health care centre, something that left Cllr Tony Page “flabbergasted”.
Four people from the University of Reading make history as they reached the finals of the University Challenge contest – the furthest they had ever reached in the contest. Team members Kira Bishop, Sylvian Jesudoss, Margaret Cunsley and captain Michael Hutchinson lost out to a team from Imperial College London.
The university’s vice chancellor, Professor Van de Noort said “The contestants deserve massive credit for how they approached the competition with dignity and a collaborative mindset. They have put Reading on the national stage.”
The university was a national attraction as well – it hosted CosXpo, a celebration of cos play – dressing up as favourite characters from film, TV and books. The event held over two days saw all ages come together to share tips, showcase ideas and have fun.
It was the first time the event had been held since 2019, and the best dressed walked away with a £250 cash prize.
We all know it, but The Sunday Times made it official: the town is one of the best places to live. It was in the top 10 for the South East, with a judging panel making its verdict based on criteria that included schools, transport, broadband, culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
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Carters Steam Fair returned to Reading for its penultimate time, as it launched its final tour. Starting in Prospect Park, it would return to the venue for its farewell in October.
Joby Carter specialises in the traditional fairground signwriting that makes Carters what it is, and he said he estimates they have spent £250,000 on gold leaf alone.
Young actors took to the red carpet to celebrate their skills. Members of the Spotted Talent Agency were welcomed by Reading’s very own Hollywood star, Winston Ellis for the event held at the Roseate Hotel. They starred in their own films: the younger group in Ice Cream, the older group in Incognito, both of which were screened at the town centre venue.
In Whitley, a park that Blue Peter would be proud of was unveiled by Procter & Gamble: it’s made of recycled plastic bottles. The Fairy liquid maker created the space on unused land close to its Basingstoke Road base. In all, more than 370,000 bottles went into the facilities.
Maneesh Nerurkar, from Proctor & Gamble, said: “As an organisation, we’re committed to being a force for good in the communities we operate in. We spotted an opportunity to rejuvenate the land for the benefit of local residents.”
The Berkshire Egg Run returned to Reading on Good Friday. Organised by Thames Vale Vultures, the ride saw 340 bikes take part and more than 1,200 chocolate treats donated to good causes. Their route took them from Stadium Way in Tilehurst to Abbey Rugby Club in Emmer Green, much to the delight of those watching on the road.
Churches Together in Reading held its annual celebration of Easter with an early morning service in Forbury Gardens. Christians from across the town gathered around the bandstand for the service led by Michael Penny and featuring music from the Reading Central Salvation Army Band. It is one of a number of special outdoor services held over the Easter weekend, including a walk of witness in Tilehurst.
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Broad St. Mall faced Blueymania as stars of a popular children’s TV show paid a visit: Bluey and Bingo came from Down Under to meet fans and take part in special storytime events. It was hugely popular and many young visitors enjoyed hugging their favourite characters.
Preparations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee continued, with news that Reading Mencap was among five organisations in Reading that would receive funding to organise artistic events to mark the anniversary. The group was planning a free community performance at Reading Minster, in a collaboration with Progress Theatre and mark the group’s diamond anniversary.
A vegan fiesta, organised by Sparkle Vegan Events, was held in Forbury Gardens, with musician Simon Williams providing the tunes, and many talented bakers offering a range of wares for people to enjoy.
As the local elections loomed closer, Reading Today interviewed each of the four party leaders. Each indepth interview was videoed and uploaded for people to watch ahead of the poll so they could make informed choices as to where they would put their cross on May 6.
A version of the interviews was printed in the last issue of April.
Reading-based poet, author and nice guy AF Harrold spilled the beans on his podcast celebrating children’s poetry.
“It’s another resource that children, parents and teachers can use, whenever there’s a quick five minutes to pop it on,” he said.
And the month ended with some good news for Royals fans: the team’s Championship status was assured, thanks to the parachuting in of England legend Paul Ince as interim manager. They did it in typical Reading style. They lost 3-0 against Hull, but Peterborough United also lost, and it was Posh’s defeat that kept them in the second tier for another season.
Ince said: “I want to enjoy this moment. The fans wouldn’t have seen this 11 or 12 games ago where the club was going. I’m overjoyed for the fans and the players.”
He added he was proud of the fans and the players, and said he would sit down the club to discuss his future.
“I love challenges, and this was a challenge,” he added.
