A trailer was released for The Imaginary, a big screen adaptation of a book by Reading-based poet, author and genius AF Garrol. The film was released in Japan by Studio Ponoc just before Christmas and will be dubbed into English for release here in 2024.
He said: “I think it looks pretty good”.
A Reading pub gained a new lease of life. The Bel & Dragon in Blakes Lock is now The Narrowboat and is a full-on community pub managed by Natalia Foley who used to manage The Victoria Arms in Binfield.
A love of coffee inspired Mac Dsouza to open a coffee shop in Castle Street. Filter House Coffee uses chicory to create an incredible taste unlike other coffees on the market. He also sells home-made banana buns, but they are so popular they are only available while stocks last each day.
Down at the Abbey returned to entertain music fans, with performances from The Comet Is Coming, Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage, Sweet Baboo and Ben Marwood, among others. Serving beers were the team from Siren Craft Brew.
The big event was the annual Reading Pride festival, held on the first Saturday in September.
There was a parade through the town centre which led to Kings Meadow, where a host of acts performed. Headliner was Claire Richards from Steps.
Reading’s Pride is unusual in that it is a free-to-enter event with donations requested instead. It attracted large crowds, and grows from strength to strength.
Our issue of September 14 revealed that Reading East MP Matt Rodda has a new role as shadow minister for AI and Intellectual Property. He said he was thrilled with the cutting-edge role.
People visiting Reading town centre might have thought we had gone quackers – but their eyes weren’t deceiving them, hundreds of toy ducks really were drifting down the Kennet and Avon Canal. It was all in a good cause as the Reading Abbey Rotary Club held a fundraiser for local charities. The ducks went from The Oracle to the Queens Road car park. First home won £300.
Birds of a different kind featured elsewhere in that issue: pigeon netting had been installed during bridge refurbishment works on London Road. This stopped the birds from nesting – and dropping their business on the pavements, making it nicer for residents to walk through.
Park ward councillor Rob White said he was delighted with the works. “It seems to have done the trick” he said.
An epidemic of shoplifting was being reported in Reading stores. We featured Newtown resident Tim Crooks who attempted to stop thieves from taking goods from the Co-op at Cemetery Junction.
Since our report a number of people have been convicted of stealing from the store.
Another festival took place in Reading – this time to celebrate life on two wheels. Christchurch Meadows was the venue for the Reading Cycle Festival, with displays, rides, repairs … and showers. Our photographer, Steve Smyth, caught a penny farthing owner dashing for cover.
Roadworks in west Reading have been an issue across the year, but in September 21 our front page revealed that it was quicker to assemble a wardrobe than take a bus to IKEA. Reading Buses were warning residents of delays of up to two-and-a-half hours for people wanting to get from the town centre to the Swedish store in Calcot.
A step forward for recycling was launched in Reading with a trial of plastic bag waste collections. Those taking part were asked to separate the bags used for vegetables, crisps and other wrapped goods. If successful, the trial will extend.
Another form of environmentally friendly living was highlight in the same issue: actor Peter Egan opened the Vegan fest, held across the town centre. There were tastings, talks and fun at the event organised by Sparkle Vegan Events.
An environmental blow was delay when Primark announced it was pulling out of plans to convert its old store in West Street into a cycle hub. Reading Borough Council is appealing for potential new venues to come forward but to date nothing has been found.
Darts fans had a fun night out when former BDO world champion Bob Anderson visited Burghfield Community Sports Association for an exhibition match in aid of Sue Ryder and Newbury Cancer Care. The charities had been selected by organiser Peter Bush as a thank you for the care the charities had given him and his late wife Audrey.
More details were revealed about the Natural History Museum’s plans to move some of its historic collections to Shinfield. The £200m facility will house 28 million specimens and help its team digitise collections to make it easier for others to conduct research.
An anniversary was celebrated by The Hexagon. Reading’s favourite six-sided venue is 45 years old and welcomed visitors to an exhibition complete with a tour behind the scenes. Among the treats were performances from the Reading Phoenix Choir and a visit from panto dame Paul Morse.
Another anniversary was celebrated with a toast. The Alehouse marked its 30th anniversary and the eight anniversary of its current landlord, Carl Mellors. Originally The London Tavern, it become The Hobgoblin in 1993, and The Alehouse in 2011. During that time it has served more than 10,000 real ales, with pump clips decorating walls and ceilings of the town centre venue.
Sir Alok Sharma, the Reading West MP since 2010, announced his intention to stand down at the next general election. The Conservatives have yet to announce who their new candidate will be.
Plans to convert a Reading retail park near Reading Gaol were revealed. The KFC and shops in Forbury Retail Park would be replaced by 12 tower blocks and 820 homes if the scheme goes ahead.
Helping residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, a food pantry was opened in the Whitely Wood Community Centre. It operates on Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm, and is supported by Reading Family Church and Faith Christian Group, which runs the town’s foodbank.
Its director, Andy Dickens, says the scheme is ‘fantastic’.
The Brexit vote might seem like a distant memory now, but a group are hoping we rejoin the EU. Members of Berkshire For Europe gathered outside Reading Station for our photgographer before they went to London to take part in a rally attended by hundreds of thousands of others with a similar outlook.
