Reading Nostalgia - Looking back at March 2004

One of the nicer stories of that time was that several of the Coley Cubs were invited to day have a day out at Reading Fire Station.

The children were taught about what the firefighters had to do on a daily basis, with Luke Ferns, who was one of the lucky youngsters to visit the station, celebrated his ninth birthday on the day.

Firefighter Gareth Evans said: “Sometimes it’s hard to get nine or 11-year-olds interested in the health and safety bit.

Luke Ferns with one of the firemen

“They get bored and all they want to do is go in the fire engine, but, they seemed quite interested.

“Some of them said they wanted to be firefighters, but one said he wanted to be a policeman so obviously he was in the wrong place.”

That same month saw the Oakwood Centre officially open its doors as a group of eight to 16-year-olds take part in the location’s inaugural production, The Wizard of Oz.

The production took place in March 2004

Prior to the first run of shows, director Matt Whitelock said: “The youngsters are really excited.

“They are over the moon to be performing at the new Oakwood Centre.”

In a mark of solidarity, March 2004 saw people of different political and religious beliefs get together for walk, where the members visited several places of worship in the process.

Lots of people took part in the walk

Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs along with many others began the walk in the afternoon of March 28, 2004, where they visited the Hindu Temple in Whitley Street, the Mosque on Waylen Street and then Church on Oxford Road.

Redlands borough councillor, Sarah Griffin, said: “Tolerance is the message we are trying to put across.

“There has been strong support from Reading in the past and it is open to anyone.”

That same month also saw the grand reopening of the Cole Museum of Zoology at Reading University, with Professor Phil Rainbow doing the official ribbon cutting, and sticking with education, March 2004 saw several students graduate from a computer course in the town, whilst Reading based author, Annie Murray, celebrated the launch of her new novel with a book signing.

The department opened nearly 18 years ago

The new book at the time was Water Gypsies.

Annie Murray at the book signing

At around the same time, 12-year-old Earley cycling enthusiast Eddie Kiff was given a Wokingham District Young Achiever award, after the cycled to his nearest bike shop to learn how to fix his non-electric vehicle.

Eddie Kiff, 12, was praised for his hard work

Other heart-warming stories from the time saw £1.8m raised to help young people with disabilities in the area, and a group of school children took part in a production focusing on the Trojan Horse.

Nearly £2m was raised to help the disabled in Reading

Another play took place that month - this time about the Greeks