MAY started with Whitley being transformed into the land of dinosaurs, thanks to an arts initiative.
Members of The Annual Daydream Harvest created a 30ft tyrannosaurus rex, which they paraded through the streets, much to the delight of youngsters.
Assembled over a two-week period, the Whitleysarus was part of the arts group’s Flamboyance initiative.
The artists used a resident’s front garden for their workshop, creating the prehistoric monster’s skeleton over a pedal car.
“We wanted to take art to people’s front doors,” lead artist Nick Garnett said. “It’s all about people having fun, letting their hair down and not worrying about what other people think.”
‘Whitleysaurus’ began its journey down Dawlish Road at 6pm and was quickly greeted by a cacophony of spoons hitting pans as residents looked on from their front doors and gardens.
Local elections for Reading Borough Council took place on Thursday, May 5, with all 48 seats up for grabs in a rare all out election due to boundary changes.
The electorate decided to give Reading’s Labour party an even greater share of the council as the party gained four seats, taking them to 33 out of a possible 48.
Council leader Jason Brock said: “It’s amazing to have the vote of confidence from residents right across Reading. They think that Reading Labour are delivering for them, they think Reading Labour are best for them.
“On the doorstep, it was fundamentally local issues that were coming up.
“In that context, I’m really pleased and humbled that residents have decided to stick with Reading Labour.”
There was also a big swing for the Green Party as they secured seven seats in three wards, overtaking the Conservatives to become the official opposition for the municipal year.
Cllr Rob White, leader of the group, said: “That’s all based on us being out working hard all year round and making a difference, and it’s amazing to see that people have recognised that.”
The elections were set in the backdrop of turmoil in Westminster with politicians facing accusations of partying during lockdown – including Prime Minister Borish Johnson and his then chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Reading Conservative leader Cllr Clarence Mitchell said that Partygate had been “undoubtably a factor” in the change in the national mood, but he wasn’t going to blame that for his party’s fortunes in this election.
Instead, he promised voters the party would remain a vocal opposition to Labour and Green councillors
He added: “There’s another election for a third of the council next year, there are lots of opportunities to come where we will continue to make the case for lower council tax, better services, and a council that listens to residents rather than ignoring them, particularly over planning applications.
“We’re going to continue to challenge everything to ensure that the endemic congestion, for example, that Reading suffers is eased where possible.”
Whilst some councillors were undoubtedly licking their wounds after a taxing campaign, residents of Reading were licking their plates clean at the Eat Reading Festival
Returning for the first time since 2019, and with new hosts Blue Collar, the event saw Broad Street besieged with food stalls selling cuisine from India, Thailand, Japan, Peru, Argentina, Ethiopia, and Jamaica.
Noodles and curries were served up alongside bao buns, spicy sausages, and chocolate-covered churros.
Peckish patrons were also treated to live music from the Los Dos Gringos and Natalie Gray, as well as performances from Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra and the Woodley ukulele group No Strings Attached.
The town was a bustle of activity on that day as Are You Listening? festival wrapped for another year, in aid of Reading Mencap.
Local and international acts alike joined the line-up, with performances stretching into the early hours of the morning.
Duo Matthew Greener kicked off proceedings with their acoustic set in Market Square, followed quickly by a solo set from Buildings on Fire’s Ryan O’Donoghue.
Gag Salon, Horse Rock, and Readiophonics were among the acts hailing from Reading, each drawing loyal home crowds.
Lauran Hibberd stormed Sub89 with their off-the-rails, punk-with-a-heart performance.
Alfie Templeman was hot on their heels, his sunny, danceable set bringing the festival to a head.
His set included instant classics Happiness in Liquid Form and Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody, as well as three brand new tracks from his upcoming album, Mellow Moon, including the first ever performance of Cotton Candy.
Indie pop powerhouses Peaness brought the event to dizzying heights at the Oakford Social Club, before Pip Blom closed the evening’s instrumental performances with riotous aplomb at St Lawrence’s church.
The following weekend, Broad St. Mall was celebrating the big 5-0 with a day of anniversary fun, delayed by a year due to covid.
Shoppers were invited to join in a host of activities, including free face painting and balloon modelling.
The centre’s mascot, Topsy, could also be spotted roaming the aisles and giving away sweet treats.
The Mall’s history was celebrated with a doodle and collage workshop organised by one of its tenants, the jelly arts collective.
Steven Connolly, general manager Broad St. Mall, said: “A big Thank You to everyone who came to Broad St. Mall on Saturday to celebrate our Birthday with us.
“It was a great opportunity for us to give something back to our loyal shoppers and we loved seeing so many smiling faces.
“Here’s to another 50 fabulous years.”
Another Reading cornerstone was also recognised with an anniversary exhibition as The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) looked back on 200 years of Huntley and Palmers
The museum teamed up with the University of Reading, which shared exhibits from its special collections, to chart the relationship between Huntley and Palmers, the town of Reading, and its people.
Tim Jerrome, the exhibit’s curator
The exhibition featured a hands-on display, where visitors could hold and examine some of the artefacts themselves, including historical catalogues and examples of the first hinged biscuit tin design.
As well as this, the MERL created the Biscuit Crumb Trail, an audio trail which charted a number of points of historical interest between it and the Huntley and Palmers Gallery in Reading Museum.
The exhibition formed a part of a town-wide celebration of the anniversary
Forbury Gardens was the home of the party on Saturday, May 14, as the Forbury Fiesta kicked off with a giant tea party.
It featured a Mad Hatter’s biscuit party and parade, as well as circus and theatre workshops, flag-making, and face painting.
Guests were also treated to storytimes, traditional mela dancing, theatre performances, and interactive scenes from Curious Wonderland.
Firefighters Dave Barnes and Neil Goldsmith, two firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. were honoured with commemorative red plaques at services held jointly by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and the Fire Brigade Union (FBU).
Members of the families of both men were present to see the plaques unveiled and tributes given.
Mr Barnes, who was 44 at the time of his death, was honoured with a service at Caversham Road fire station, while Mr Goldsmith, who was 31, was honoured at Wokingham Road fire station.
Both were responding to a large fire in a building merchant’s store on Thursday, September 15, 1977, when they were trapped inside by a partial collapse of the building.
Rescue efforts, which involved the chief fire officer, were hampered by the continuing fire and collapsing of the building, meaning that they had both lost their lives before they were found.
James Hunt, FBU Berkshire brigade organiser, said: “These plaques will help us all remember an incident which made a huge impact on firefighters locally and the sacrifices made by David and Neil to keep their community safe.
“David and Neil were both well respected firefighters and these will be fitting tributes to them.
“They are missed by family, friends and colleagues every day.”
The month ended with Reading missing out on city status for the fourth time, meaning we remain a Little Big Town.
The news was announced on Friday, the same day that the 2022 Pride of Reading awards were launched.
The Ding was snubbed despite its many royal connections, its size and its general brilliance in favour of eight places including Colchester, Doncaster and Milton Keynes (we couldn’t believe it either)
Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said that the decision was “hugely disappointing”.
This was not the first jubilee that Reading has applied for city status, having its bid at the golden jubilee turned down as well.
Our front page read: “Everyone seems to know the score..
“They’ve seen it all before ..
“They just know .. They’re so sure ..
“That Reading’s gonna throw it away..
“Gonna blow it away.. But I know they can say..
“‘Cause I remember.. One Lion in Forbury ..
“Purple Turtle still gleaming..”
