Our first issue in May 2023 saw Barry from EastEnders giving us a cheesy grin.
Actor Shaun Williamson was in town with his Barrioke, one of many attractions taking place at the CheeseFest event in Forbury Gardens.
And immense fun was had by all. And cheese. Oh yes, plenty of cheese.
Nature Nurture CIC held a Wild Wellbeing Day with a bit of help from Tesco’s community grants intitaives.
Attendees were invited to explore their relationship with the natural world, and their mental wellbeing.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda was one of many calling for action over sewage being dumped in rivers.
He spoke in a parliamentary debate, saying it was “an appalling issue … that residents should not have to put up with”.
Like most of us, he said the practice was “simply not acceptable”.
New Home Office figures revealed that the majority of burglaries in the Thames Valley remained unsolved. Just 4% of cases results in criminal charges or summons.
Waterstones welcomed fantasy author AF Steadman. Bookseller Cheryl Dibden said the queue went out of the door, with people reading the new novel Skandar and the Unicorn Thief while they were waitinmg.
The coronation formed the spine of our May 11 issue, as the town partied for the King.
Broad St. Mall welcomed RASPO to perform music on their steel pan drums, a fiesta was held in Forbury Gardens – despite torrential rain – and street parties were held by neighbours, churches and community groups.
The Flowing Spring pub in Playhatch invited visitors to take part in a pageant to find the best hat, with the winner being crowned.
It was all for Hope In Action, and raised £350.
A new study revealed that 800 new homes a year was needed by Reading – with some of these already in the works.
The results of the local elections were never really in doubt. Even if Labour had lost all the seats they were contesting, they would still have control of the council.
In the event, they made gains, as did the Greens.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda said Labour’s success ‘lays the foundation for a potential Labour victory in the general election’.
Crunch Comics in the Harris Arcade gave away free comics in a fit of generosity. It was all part of its annual Free Comic Book Day initiative, which sees comic shops across the country let people have a taste of what they are missing.
Hundreds of books were given away during the one-day promotion.
A proposal to fell an historic oak was met with dismay. A builder wanted to take down the Kings Spy Oak in Gayhurst, which is subject to a Tree Preservation Order.
It dates back 700 years, at least, and played a role in the English Civil War.
The application was turned down later in the month and the tree was saved.
A big picture spread celebrated the return of the Are You Listening? festival. Judging from the number of people who turned out, yes lots of you were listening to bands including Tayo Sounds, Black Honey, Sun Skeleton and Girll.
A memorial sculpture was unveiled at The Oracle Riverside in memory of Olly Stephens. The heart was fashioned out of knives handed in to Thames Valley Police as part of amnesties.
A street food festival came to Broad Street, allowing people a chance to try cuisine from across the world without leaving the town centre.
The Caversham Arts Trail returned, letting artists showcase their talents – and visitors purchase unique works.
It was revealed that Green park Station was to officially open on May 27, and in the event Reading mayor Cllr Tony Page did the honours.
The Reading Ukrainian Centre in Sidmouth Street invited people to enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest with a watch party.
The Corn Stores held an exclusive evening to help people pair wine not with cheese but crisps.
Our May 25 issue asked if a ULEZ or congestion charge could come to Reading. No, was the answer from Reading Borough Council.
Sue Ryder unveiled a mural in The Oracle Riverside aimed at celebrating its nurses.
The John Sykes Foundation gave a £1,000 grant to Faith Christian Group – which runs the food bank in the town. The money would be used to buy two-man tents for the homeless, coffee flasks for a soup kitchen, and a hot water dispenser for ReadiStreet, helping up to 60 people five times a week.
