For Reading Nostalgia this week, we have decided to back to 2008 to see what was going on in the area.

One of the talked about stories from that year saw the rise of hunting despite the Government’s ban on catching animals such as foxes.

That year, which was in its 11th year under a Labour government who prohibited those to hunt wildlife.

Many people across the town took part in the hunt despite the Governments ban

Many people across the town took part in the hunt despite the Government's ban

However, many people in the town decided to ignore the rules as hundreds of people we seen in the streets of Reading and beyond hunting several creatures.

The then joint secretary of the hunt, Amanda Stewart, said: “I don’t think that the rise is due to people preferring drag hunting, but rather that they don’t like being dictated to and told what to do by the Government.

When asked about why people were ignoring the new rules, Joint master, Chris Austin, added: “I think it is really a reaction to the ban.

“People are cocking a snook at the Government and the way they rammed the hunting bill through Parliament despite resistance from their own peers.

“People don’t like being told what to do especially when the banning process was questionable.

“When Labour came into power in 1997, I think the public were around 70 per cent against hunting and would go along to see what the fuss was all about.

“People were exposed to hunting on the TV, radio and in the newspapers.

“As the public learned more about it, they realised it was not as bad as they first thought and did not agree with the way the Government went about banning it.”

The news of this was met with a mixed opinion, and to this day, the topic is still contentious amongst hunters and animal lovers.

Moving away from a debatable issue, one of the feel good stories from that time saw customers raise over £1,000 to help bereaved children in the area.

Staff at the Strand salon in Twyford decided to help those impacted by losing a loved one, with the businesses’ workers dressing up in costumes to raise awareness.

In total, £1,006 was raised for those in need, with the business also organising out a raffle.

More than a £1,000 was raised to help children who had lost loved ones

More than a £1,000 was raised to help children who had lost loved ones

Nadia Carlin, who owned the salon, said: “It was a great day and we managed to beat last year’s total by £6 which was fantastic.

“We’d like to thank all our customers for buying the tickets and helping to support the charity.

“It’s their money doing the good work and helping to support children who have lost a close relative.”

Another popular story from 2008 saw an independent business launch to help those who were in need of an alcoholic beverage.

Local resident Winston Gallagher decided to create the ‘AlcoCall’ business, where you choose what boozy drive you want through its website, and he will deliver it to your door.

Winston Gallagher opened the business in 2008

Winston Gallagher opened the business in 2008

Speaking in 2008, he said: “We are targeting everyone but particularly people having house parties who run out of alcohol, or those who have left the pubs and clubs want to carry on the night at home.”

Finally, a sad but touching story from the time saw a bench be unveiled in memory of a 17-year-old boy who died in a road crash.

David Bishop, who was also known as ‘Bish’, was killed in May 2007 when walking along with A329.

To mark the one year anniversary of his passing, friends and family got together to reveal the bench to the public for the first time.

Linda Bishop, David’s mum, said: “I hope you will all come here, sit on the bench, talk to David and share your memories with him, especially if you’re feeling down because he was always there to lift your spirits and she can still do that.

Linda Bishop on the bench which is in of her sons memory

Linda Bishop on the bench which is in of her son's memory

Warren Baxter, one of David’s friends, added: “There was nothing bad about David.

“He was lively and always liked a laugh.

“He was always the life and soul of the party.”