Archives
Below are our archives for May 2013. If you are looking for a different month, please use the date search box feature below. To browse please choose from last month or try the News, Sport, The Guide or Opinion archives for this month.
Reading actor breaks silence on nine-week prostate cancer scare
A HOLLYWOOD actor recovering from a cancer scare has described a major breakthrough in testing prostate cancer as a "godsend" and lifesaver.
A STAR-STUDDED six-a-side celebrity football tournament will be raising cash for the charity Hearts And Goals tomorrow.
Reading councillor claims £1,196 in travel fares
EXPENSES claimed by Reading Borough councilors published on Tuesday show that only nine made any out-of-pocket claims last year.
Cable has praise for Reading bankers
BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable has praised a Reading-based bank for backing the "lifeblood" of the economy.
Tilehurst cyclist leaps into river to save toddler
A QUICK-thinking cyclist saved a toddler's life by jumping into the River Thames and dragging him to safety.
Sir John Madejski 'interrupts' popstar's performance
ROYALS chairman Sir John Madejski was bundled off stage after interrupting a performance at a supermarket's annual summer party, reported The Sun today.
Police appeal for witnesses to attempted robbery near Barkham
POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an attempted robbery near Barkham.
Family rescued from Bucklebury Ford
A WOMAN and two children were rescued after their car crashed into Bucklebury Ford today.
THIS Bank Holiday weekend why not explore the new Fobney Island Nature Reserve, a small patch of countryside that has been transformed into a natural paradise, buzzing with wildlife and blossoming plants.
Cricket medal stolen in Mortimer raid
A MOTHER of two is pleading with cruel burglars who stole a lifetime of memories to return £2,000 worth of jewellery.
Former Reading man's appeal to unravel mystery of his real father
A MAN who has spent more than 20 years searching for his father's true identity is hoping Chronicle readers can end his quest.
Retail Awards venture the talk of the town
BOSSES were urged to put their companies forward for an award.
Mortimer all a quiver for sporting weekend
ARCHERY aces and sailing supremos were to the fore as children took part in a sporting extravaganza.
Woman freed from car after Reading smash
A WOMAN had to be freed from her car which flipped on its side following a collision with a tanker near the Oracle.
Former Whitley fugitive jalied for firearms cache
A MAN who was captured at Niagara Falls after going on the run when police quizzed him over a cache of firearms and ammunition has been jailed for 15 years.
Plans to crackdown on 'rogue landlords' in Reading
HOUSING bosses are urging neighbours to start talking in a bid to crack down on rogue landlords.
A LABOUR councillor who has lived in Reading for 40 years is the borough's new mayor.
The small coffee shop causing a very big stir
IT may sit opposite two coffee chain giants, but one independent company has proved it is possible to compete against the big cuppas and win the praise of its customers.
Fears for future of Reading Station cafe
THE owner of a popular family-run cafe fears his staff "could be out of a job by tomorrow" because big name retailers are taking over revamped Reading Station.
Council transport chief says Crossrail must come to Reading
CROSSRAIL must be brought to Reading to prevent the town's railway station revamp turning into an £895m white elephant.
Call to nominate female achievers
THE search is on for nominations for awards celebrating inspirational women.
West Berkshire Council appoints two new executive members
TWO new names have been added to the executive on West Berkshire.
VIDEO: We chat to Suzanne Shaw about The Big Match
We caught up with Dancing On Ice champion and former popstar Suzanne Shaw at a practice session for The Big Match, ahead of the charity football match taking place at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, June 8.
Whitley scout leader will do her best - dressed as a barge
AN ADVENTUROUS scout leader will be putting her best foot forward embarking on a 26-mile walk for a charity close to her heart.
Staying focused on customer service
THE focus of one dispensing optician has caught the eye of her customers.
Last chance to gear up for charity cycle
THERE are just a matter of days to go until hundreds of competitors get on their bikes for the Three Counties Cycle Ride.
Optician has an eye for cheerful service
THE focus of one dispensing optician has caught the eye of her customers.
Follow new career paths at Reading apprenticeship event
YOUNG people from across Reading seized the chance to weigh up their options and learn more about apprenticeships.
Police appeal for information on car linked to Reading assault
POLICE are appealing for information about a car spotted near the scene of a serious assault in Reading.
Police hunt witnesses to Oxford Road assault
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Reading.
Reading student prepares for Arts Week showcase
ARTISTS from across the borough are taking advantage of the open invitation to showcase their work at the only art festival exclusively for Reading creatives next month.
The write help for Reading authors
THE pen proved mightier than the sword when a group of Reading writers donated all the proceeds from their first book to charity.
Police hunt Reading bus stop attacker
THIS is the man police are hunting after a boy was attacked at a bus stop in Reading.
Supporting a town to be proud of
AS a Reading businessman Jon Hallett will always support the town where he was born and bred.
Oratory School parade marks CCF centenary
CADETS beamed with pride as they marched in a parade celebrating 100 years of training the soldiers of tomorrow.
Guests eye up style advice in Theale optician
AN OPTICIAN in Theale was transformed into a world of colour when staff celebrated fashion, beauty and style.
Police hunt witnesses after man is thrown from car in Russell Street
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was thrown from the bonnet of a car, suffering serious head injuries.
Lib Dems in uproar after Tory victory in Woodley
A STORMY night heralded an historic changing of the guard as the Tories swept to power in Woodley for the first time in 40 years.
VIDEO: Youngsters ditch cars to walk, cycle and scoot to school
PUPILS and parents will ditch their cars to walk, cycle or scoot to school for a national initiative this week.
Learning to live well with dementia
A DAY-LONG event for people with dementia and their families or anyone involved with the condition takes place on Thursday this week at the Holiday Inn at Winnersh Triangle.
Burghfield village fair is the business
FAMILIES got into the May Day spirit in an annual summer fair in Burghfield.
VIDEO: RASPO steel band entertains children at the Avenue School in Tilehurst
RASPO steel band entertained the children at The Avenue School, Tilehurst during their performance art week.
A MOBILE audio clinic has hit the road to take its hospital services for the hard of hearing out to the people of Berkshire.
Stationery store is write for customers
IT HAS been a feature of the town centre for 21 years and now Rymans has been labelled a shop its customers cannot live without.
Man rushed to hospital after being hit by car in Reading
A MAN has been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car in Reading.
Two people in hospital following car smash in Caversham
A MAN and woman had to be cut out of their car following a collision in Caversham today.
Mum's praise for Angelina's 'brave' decision
A MOTHER who fought back from the breast cancer which killed her twin sister says double mastectomy should be available to all women.
IDR decking plan 'can be delivered'
THE completion of the last phase of Reading's Chatham Place development - on hold since 2008 - could also revive controversial plans to cover the IDR.
'Being a foster mum is truly amazing'
FOR Sonia Fulcher, looking after children has always been a huge part of her life, but she never really understood the importance of helping troubled youngsters until she took them under her own roof.
Woman in hospital after crash in Swallowfield
A WOMAN has been taken to hospital following a collision in Swallowfield.
HOWLS of derision rang out as a make-or-break planning inquiry was postponed for five months.
Man in serious condition after assault in Reading
A MAN is in hospital with serious head injuries after he was attacked in Reading in the early hours of this morning.
Reading Children's festival returns today
FUN and games will return to Reading today when a popular two-week festival returns for the 24th year running.
Weekend (May 31-June 3) closure of Cow Lane warning
MOTORISTS and pedestrians are being warned that Cow Lane in west Reading will be closed for an entire weekend.
FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze in a pleasure boat on the Kennet and Avon Canal last night.
A COMPANY boss was triumphant this week after council chiefs tore up two parking tickets and admitted: "We got it wrong."
THE THAMES Valley Police and Crime Commissioner has denied claims he set up a 'sham' office to rake in travel expenses.
Last chance for Network Rail apprentices
YOUNG people across Reading have the chance to take the last few places in this year's Network Rail advanced apprentice scheme and fast-track their careers.
Reading Chronicle doughnut champions!
TEAMS from the Reading Chronicle and Reading 107 battled their way through jam, sugar and chocolate for the right to become doughnut champions.
Berkshire's fomer high sheriff backs prisoner rehabilitation
BERKSHIRE'S former high sheriff is optimistic about new Government plans for prisoner rehabilitation
VIDEO: 'Flintstones' robot at RBH
Royal Berkshire Hospital dispensary robot, Fred can dispense more than 20,000 packs of medication to patients and and deliver five packs every eight seconds from their shelves to ward boxes and dispensing stations via 11 chutes.
Firefighters tackled a series of bin fires around the Coley area of Reading in the early hours of this morning.
Search begins for inspiring women
FEMALE success in all walks of life is to be celebrated with the launch of a major awards ceremony in honour of inspirational women.
New bid to halt noisy helicopters
FURIOUS councillors have united in a bid to get controversial helicopter flights grounded.
Aldermaston nuclear blaze sentencing adjourned.
SAFETY measures at AWE Aldermaston were insufficient and patchy when a serious blaze left a worker injured, Reading Crown Court was told today.
Body pulled from canal in Reading town centre
THE body of a man was pulled from the Kennet and Avon Canal yesterday.
Campaigners stage protest outside Thames Water
CAMPAIGNERS armed with flags, loudspeakers and a giant inflatable rat staged a protest against blacklisting outside Thames Water's Reading headquarters today.
POLICE are on the hunt for two callous fraudsters who left a 72-year-old man shaken in Reading
Disabled woman rescued from fire in Tilehurst
A young disabled woman in a wheelchair was rescued by firefighters last night (Wednesday) when flames swept through the kitchen of her Tilehurst flat.
Big Match organisers gear up for Madejski Stadium kick-off
THE organisers of an ambitious charity football match which will see well known faces flock to Reading are gearing up for the big kick off.
New executive and chairman at West Berkshire Council
WEST Berkshire Council welcomed a new chairman and two new executive members last night.
Communities secretary backs Local Newspaper Week
COMMUNITIES secretary Eric Pickles is backing Local Newspaper Week.
VIDEO: The Abbey School break ground for new hockey pitch
The Abbey School break ground for a new international-sized hockey pitch.
THE number of unemployed signing on in Reading has dropped for the second consecutive month.
Mum and ducklings return to Woodley library
A FLUFFY brood of ducklings has been delighting library-goers in Woodley. The week-old ducklings have been finding their feet in Woodley Library's central garden, after their mother returned to her favourite nesting spot for the third time.
Nominate your Women of Achievement
FEMALE success in all walks of life will be celebrated with the launch of a major awards ceremony in honour of inspirational women.
VIDEO: Boxing star Barry McGuigan opens new multi-million pound college facility
FORMER world champion boxer Barry McGuigan officially opened East Berkshire College's new multi-million pound sports centre at Langley College today.
Police appeal following car thefts in Calcot
POLICE believe raiders were stealing to order when they looted tools and equipment from vehicles in the Calcot area.
VIDEO: Touring exhibition aims to bring the Bible 'alive'
A TOURING exhibition is promising to bring the Bible 'alive' with artefacts, costumes, models and talks.
Men arrested over fuel thefts in Burghfield Common
POLICE have arrested two men on suspicion of stealing fuel from vehicles parked in Burghfield Common.
POLICE are appealing for witneses after a man was stabbed in west Reading this morning (Tuesday).
BREAKING: Hare Hatch Sheeplands inquiry postponed
THE planning inquiry into the future of Hare Hatch Sheeplands Garden Centre has been adjourned until the autumn.
Countdown is on for Reading Arts Week
ARTISTS from across the borough are being invited to show off their work at the only festival exclusively for Reading talent.
Man sentenced to nine years in jail for stabbing
A TEENAGER has been sentenced to nine years in prison after stabbing a man in Caversham.
Job winners start at giant Tesco depot
MORE than 1,000 jobs, around 6,000 applications, 12 miles of racking and three weeks to fill up this 902,000 square foot distribution centre.
Teenagers try to snatch girl's phone in west Reading
A TEENAGE girl was left shaken when two boys tried to snatch her phone as she walked along Oxford Road in west Reading.
Reading University students rescued from lift
Firefighters freed two students from a lift in the Whiteknights Campus Library of Reading University today.
Couple shocked after shed blaze
AN ELDERLY couple are devastated after their belongings, two sheds and an entire fence were burnt to the ground by mindless thugs.
Berkshire workers third most productive in the country for boosting the economy
BERKSHIRE workers are the third-most productive in the country for boosting the economy, new statistics have revealed.
Reporters battle it out in doughnut eating competition
FAMILIES are battling it out in a series of tasty competitions this week to celebrate National Doughnut Week with Warings Master Bakers.
Wetland nature reserve to open this week
SCHOOL children will be among the first to tour a new wetland nature reserve at its grand opening on Friday.
Say Cheers! New café bar launches in Woodley
THE Bank Holiday began with a bang in Woodley when a much needed bar finally opened its doors. Bosco Lounge in the precinct celebrated its grand opening with a party for 250 people from across the town on Friday.
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a chimney fire in Tidmarsh last night at around 7.45pm.
Sun soaked holiday celebration
SUN kissed Katesgrove basked in bank holiday sunshine as the Mayor of Reading joined residents to celebrate the Katesgrove Spring Fayre on Monday.
Surprise awards for courageous women
A BERKSHIRE charity presented surprise awards to three brave women for speaking about their private battles with an incurable health condition.
Helicopter called in to kill poison caterpillars
TOXIC caterpillars threatening the health of villagers face the chop as a huge airborne operation gets under way.
Battle Proms return to Highclere Castle, Newbury with a bang
For the 13th year, Battle Proms will go off with a bang when it returns to Highclere Castle, Newbury, on Saturday, August 3.
Reading man questioned over motorcycle smash near Wargrave
POLICE have arrested a Royal Mail delivery driver in connection with a road smash near Wargrave in which a motorcyclist was killed yesterday.
Collapsed wall clear up not yet underway
RUBBLE and metal fencing still cover a footpath in Tilehurst where a wall collapsed last week.
CAVERSHAM Bridge has re-opened after a lorry collided with a prison van today.
Chaos in Reading following smash outside Royal Berkshire Hospital
A DRIVER has been cut free from their car following a serious accident in Reading which has brought traffic to a standstill.
Caversham Bridge closed after prison van collides with lorry
MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays around Caversham Bridge after a lorry collided with a prison van.
Riders gear up for charity event
THERE are just three days left until hundreds of riders across Berkshire get pedalling for an annual cycle challenge.
Ex-Pangbourne College boy dies in sailing tragedy
FORMER Pangbourne College student and Olympic gold medal sailor Andrew Simpson has died after his catamaran capsized while training for the America's Cup in San Francisco.
A lesson in fundraising from running teachers
A TEAM of PE teachers tested their fitness to raise cash for a charity which helped a colleague who died of cancer last year.
Motorcyclist dies in Wargrave smash
A MOTORCYCLIST has died after colliding with a van near Wargrave.
Injured rider makes horse show return
A HORSE rider who was mown down by a drunk driver is set to compete in one of the biggest equestrian events in the country.
Church Street Therapy Centre hosts open day
A HOST of complementary therapies will be on display during a free drop-in session when a specialist clinic showcasing its techniques on Saturday.
Anna's poetic comment on helicopter row
MUCH has been written in the Chronicle about the torture we residents of Purley On Thames and Mapledurham have had to endure as a consequence of the on-going helicopter pleasure flights that have been operating from Mapledurham house.
Reading reacts to Queen's Speech
YESTERDAY'S Queen's Speech proves the Tories "have run out of ideas", according to Reading's Labour party.
Going through the mill to help
THE winners of a competition which pays people to work at a charity of their choice have opted to help a Reading-based project.
Huge blaze in Windsor town centre
FIRE crews from Tilehurst and Caversham formed part of a 20-strong team of engines battling a Windsor blaze last night.
Givers asked to donate locally
CHARITY should begin at home but 90% of charitable donations made by Berkshire people are going to national causes outside the county.
Teen arrested after assault on 11-year-old girl in Burghfield
A TEENAGER has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl was slapped and threatened with a knife in Burghfield.
Landlord toasts top local pub award
A PUB popular with drinkers across the borough has cemented its place on the national map.
Sign up for Byte Night sleepout
BUSINESS leaders will be persuaded to give up their beds and sleep on the streets at the launch of a major charity fundraiser.
Apprentices kicking off new careers
APPRENTICES who have managed to turn their careers around inspired jobseekers to land their own dream careers at the Reading Job Fair.
New line-up as council leader has re-shuffle
READING'S ruling Labour group has unveiled the team which will lead it into the borough council's new committee system.
AMBITIOUS plans to create more than 2,500 primary school places in Reading were submitted to the Government this week.
BRIGHT sunshine and blue skies were beaming over the borough, but green was the colour last Monday when Reading Buses unveiled a new chapter in the town's transport history.
Witness hunt after motorcylist dies on A33 roundabout in south Reading
POLICE are looking for witnesses after a 46-year-old motorcyclist was killed in south Reading today.
THE phonecall came in at 8.50am. By 10.30am Ofsted had arrived at the Civic Centre to inspect the council's child safeguarding and child protection services.
THE family of a youngster who died three months ago say it is "wonderful" the hospice that cared for her in her final hours was saluted this week by the Duchess of Cambridge.
CALLS are being made to reverse a "tragic" decision to close a popular care home and day centre and disrupt the lives of frail and vulnerable pensioners.
£1.6m road rescue plans gathering momentum
PLANS to invest more than £1.6m on Reading's crumbling roads are gathering pace.
Workmates take on £1 food trial
A PAIR of keen fundraisers are spending a week in poverty to help families across the world survive the harshest of conditions.
AN ANGRY businessman is out to avenge a fixed penalty ticket for parking on his own land - by 'fining' the traffic attendant for trespass.
Woman cut free from three car crash
FIREFIGHTERS had to cut a women free after three cars collided on the A33 today.
Search launched for owners of jewellery stolen in raids across the Thames Valley
AN APPEAL has been launched to track down the owners of jewellery thought to have been stolen in burglaries across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Man fighting for life after collision with coach
A MAN is fighting for his life tonight after he collided with a coach on a busy east Reading road.
Man punched in the face in Broad Street
A MAN was left with a bloodied nose after he was punched in the face in Reading's Broad Street yesterday.
NEIGHBOURS are welcoming plans for a new mosque in Earley as a hub for the whole community.
Thieves steal digger from Winnersh park
THIEVES stole a digger and a dumper truck from a park in Winnersh.
Earley pensioner dies after collision with car
AN EARLEY pensioner has died after being knocked down by a car.
Contest winners put in the frame
PROUD parents looked on as the winning stars of this year's Broad Street Mall's Child of the Year beamed at the camera.
A MASSIVE increase of nearly 100 extra patients a day is keeping pressure on the Royal Berkshire Hospital's emergency department and costing millions of pounds a year.
NEIGHBOURS are being warned to keep an eye out for illegal raves over the Bank Holiday weekend.
FIREFIGHTERS saved two dogs from a house after a kitchen caught alight today.
A MAN who had been missing for nearly two months has been found safe and well.
Village steps up for church access
VILLAGERS are determined to restore their crumbling Grade 1 listed church to ensure disabled people have access.
Section of Nine Mile Ride to be shut
A SECTION of Nine Mile Ride in Finchampstead will be closed from tomorrow (Friday) for electrical work. The westbound carriageway of the B3430 will be shut between its junctions with A321 Sandhurst Road and B3016 until Sunday.
Staying on track with customers
A RAILWAY worker who quit the corporate world to branch out into retailing has proved his shop is on track with what his customers want.
Forces Equine Games to show Berkshire military riders' skill
Military riders from across Berkshire are to participate in the Forces Equine Games this weekend (May 4 and 5).
Rallying for relegated Reading FC
SPIRITS remain high with business owners predicting the town is still on a winner despite Reading's relegation from the Premier League.
Exclusive offer for horse show tickets
The Royal Windsor Horse Show promises an exciting equestrian line-up in the grounds of Windsor Castle from Wednesday, May 8, to Sunday, May 12, and we have an exclusive offer to match.
UPDATE: Trains running between Wokingham and Reading
TRAINS between Wokingham and Reading are now running again after they were suspended earlier due to a fault on the line.
PLANNING chiefs gave the go-ahead for a 24-hour gym on condition that it would not cause overnight disruption to neighbours.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: M4 delays due to crash
THERE are currently delays on the M4 eastbound after a crash which has left one lane closed.
New room is designed for youngsters
DOUBLE Olympic gold medal rower Andrew Hodge pulled a stroke when he opened a new paediatric playroom which will take the fear out of a trip to one Reading hospital.
Now it's easier to report hate crimes
A CAMPAIGN has been launched urging victims of hate crime to stop suffering in silence.
