Reading Cattle Market was the place to be in 1995 if you wished to travel in style from a bygone age as dozens of Victorian pony phaetons were up for auction.

Sale organiser of auctioneers Thimbleby and Shorland, Sarah Needham, told the Reading Chronicle: "Our sales are unique in the world we’ve had people come from as far away as America just to attend it.”

One of Reading’s two Conservative MP’s were not feeling the love of some local voters 22 years ago as a protest was held outside the Tory HQ in Christchurch Road.

But only two protesters turned up to argue that Sir Gerry Vaughan,72, should retire before the next election.

Frank Lewis, agent for Sir Gerry, was unfazed by the protest and told the Chron: "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but the fact that the demonstrators were outnumbered by reporters and photographers tells the real story.”

A pond in Whitchurch was the scene of a dramatic ‘fishy’ rescue mission when water levels had left the 400 resident fish facing certain death.

Stephen Heath who organised the operation explained the reason for the mercy dash: "Because the drought water levels had dropped to an all-time low and the fish were left flapping around.”

Lenny Henry dropped into Savacentre in Calcot and put smiles on the faces of shoppers when he signed his first children’s book, 'Charlie and the Big Chill'.

The book was the first in a series following the adventures Charlie a lovable tomboy who (unfortunately for his host) hated shopping.

The River Kennet had been chosen in 1995 as the first tributary of the Thames to be stocked with young Salmon in an effort to re-stock the entire length of the river.

In the early 1970’s when wild salmon began to re-appear Thames Water ‘planted’ hatcheries from Scotland using reared young fish (called parr) and the new offspring-it was hoped-would overcome the many modern-day obstacles.

A new Horticultural Therapy garden was opened at Trunkwell Park in Beech Hill to offer on-going teaching facilities for NVQ’s in Amenity Horticulture, especially suitable for students with disabilities or special needs.

The charity project manager Mik Norman told the Chronicle: "We are grateful for all the help we have received in the past year, which has made it possible to provide such a valuable resource for local people.”

Words and archive photos: Chris Forsey