Wall’s Carnival Stores in Caversham Road, Reading, were gearing up for Christmas in 1971 by expanding into two adjoining units, making it one of the UK’s biggest retailers of fancy dress and novelty items.

Managing Director, Brain Wall, joined the firm in 1949, aged 16, and started to learn the business from his father, who had started in a tiny shop in 1934.

The provision of party streamers, balloons, paper hats and novelty tricks gradually made Wall’s the go to shop to purchase anything for a special occasion.

Mr. Wall admitted to the Chronicle: “If somebody comes in and asks for a million balloons tomorrow, I am now able to say, yes, no problem, what size would you like?”

Residents living near to Elm Park, Reading Football Club’s ground, were up in arms over the advent of a Sunday morning market, inside the grounds of the stadium.

The 200-stall market had become very popular, but householders had discovered to their dismay, that many stallholders were setting up their ‘pitches’ as early as 7 am.

Traffic was also blocking nearby roads, causing major delays to local bus services as thousands of visitors descended to the area throughout the day.

One homeowner in Tilehurst Road, told the Chronicle:” I’m not against the market, but this is not the place for it, we are woken up very early and we also have the mess from the football matches thrown in our garden.”

Radio and television personality, Pete Murray, presented the Jeannine Greville Dancing Academies dancing awards at the Top Rank Suite 48 years ago.

An audience of over 1,000 watched Mr. Murray present 519 medals, 98 certificates and 69 trophies to the school’s pupils, whose ages ranged from five to 18 years.

At the end of his marathon prize-giving he told the Chronicle: “I am very impressed with the standard of dancing, and I congratulate Jeannine for the polished performances of her pupils.”

In a letter to the Chronicle the Chairman of Reading’s Shelter charity, Charles Buck, wanted to highlight the ‘eyesore’ of run-down houses in the King’s Road, many of which had been vacant for years.

Mr. Buck posed the question as to why, when so many people were homeless, couldn’t these buildings be used temporarily for the needy in society.

He also speculated that: “Here is an excellent way for Reading Council to kill three birds with one stone, clearing the site, giving employment to clear the area and put a roof over the heads of needy people.”

The Gillette Social Club hosted a Thames Valley Police inter-division first-aid competition in 1971, with five teams from Reading, Bracknell, Amersham, Aylesbury and Slough taking part.

“D” Division, from Wokingham and Bracknell ‘nicked’ all the trophies, taking home all the silverware and plaques.

Reading Swimming Club held its 72nd annual gala and dedicated its sponsored swims to the Battle Hospital fund for a new Hydro-Therapy Pool. A cheque for £200, which is equivalent to nearly £1,400 today, was presented to Dr Meanock.