The financial pressures on Reading borough council means it needs to find an additional £13m to stand still.
The figures released in early December were before the government settlement grant were revealed. The rise is caused by inflation, as well as increased demand on services – itself a measure of the cost-of-living crisis.
Father and son Paul and Grant Bowyer had an early Christmas present in the form of a massive win on the People’s Postcode Lottery. Grant, 32, won £133,332, while Paul scooped £66,666 in the draw.
but it wasn’t Grant’s only big money win – two years ago he won £50,000 in an online raffle.
Change is planned for The Oracle, with the empty House of Fraser department store to be replaced with TK Maxx and Hollywood Bowl.
A charity that helps homeless people in the Reading area is launching a new warm space and appealed for help to get the project ready.
The Way Ministry is teaming up with Fab4All for the project in North Street. However, the site needed electrics repaired, cookers connected, and a disabled toilet installed.
The big festive event in Reading was the second GLOW parade. Headed up by drumming group Beatroots, the lantern procession attracted thousands of people who went from Broad Street to Forbury Gardens where they enjoyed some seasonal entertainment.
A sleigh of Santas featured on our front page of December 14, and inside, as we celebrated the Rotary Club’s annual Santa Run.
The fundraising event at the University of Reading attracts hundreds of people every year and is a firm festive fixture even when it rains, as it did this year.
Metro Bank demonstrated its seasonal side with an appeal for donations to help domestic abuse charity Berkshire Women’s Aid. It wanted bedding, clothing and money to help its work.
The ongoing protests for Reading FC made its way to Westminster, as the Sell Before We Dai campaign hired digital billboards that were driven around the capital. Messages called for a change in ownership, and for the establishment of an independent football regulator.
Also in Westminster, Reading East MP Matt Rodda called for reforms to Ofsted in the wake of the inquest into the death of Ruth Perry. For their part, the school inspectorate issued an apology following the coroner’s verdict that Ms Perry’s death by suicide was brought on by the inspection of her primary school.
Another school, Redlands Primary, revealed that it had roped in a host of celebrities to lend weight to its fundraising campaign for a new library. It wanted to raise £8,000 by the end of term – it is closer to £10,000.
As the year came to an end Santa Claus came to town – and we’re telling you why. It was for a special event at Reading Museum, and this was a Santa from Victorian times.
It was part of a series of special events held by the museum in the run-up to the big day, giving people a chance to experience a different type of Christmas.
For those on their own, Walk-Reading announced plans for a Christmas Day event. It would take people around the town and help them discover its secret history. The group also held daily Twixmas walks to help walk off that plum duff.
Looking ahead, plans for The Hexagon’s new look were unveiled. A new studio theatre will be added to the site, with building hopefully starting in August.
Some surprise Christmas cheer came from musician Sam Ryder who busked in Broad Street to promote his latest single.
