Reading FC’s footballers took time off from their bid to gain promotion to Division Two in 1985 when they visited the Reading Chronicle offices.

A party of 21 from Elm Park (the club’s former ground) included the then manager, Ian Branfoot and four members of a Youth Training Scheme,who were shown around the Valpy Street and Blagrave Street printing works.

The squad enjoyed a welcome break from training duties as they prepared for a crucial home tie against Lincoln City.

An eight-piece rock band called ‘Sheltered Sound’ from Bulmershe School in Woodley were pitching their sights on success in a national music competition.

Playing their entirely original material they had a great deal of help from musical director David Jackson-a former member of legendary ‘prog rock’ group Van Der Graff Generator.

The group had already tasted success when they came fourth in the London Weekend Television Summer Arts Festival- and if they were to win the upcoming contest in Hemel Hempstead-they would appear on the BBC’s Saturday Superstore programme.

A tug-of-war competition between local pubs was staging its winter league tournament 33 years ago in an effort to win the coveted Langley Tavern trophy.

The Flowing Spring squad, from Playhatch,were trying to keep their opponents at arms length against six other teams over a four week period of matches.

A Shinfield astrologer was offering to help local people to predict the future themselves rather than following the stars in their newspaper.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Justin Martin explained:”I taught myself when I was 14,and I want to help other people to learn=people imagine that astrology involves some sort of gift-but I believe it can be taught.”

Olympic Gold medallist, David Wilkie,was at Denefield School,Tilehurst to take part in a sponsored fun run to raise money for the Commonwealth Games Appeal Committee.

All of the 180 pupils who took part were sponsored for every 400 metres they ran,with a maximum of five miles allowed.

The sponsorship money had not yet been collected but the sum expected to be raised was thought to total over £1,000 and Head of PE at the school told the Chronicle:” David was very good with the pupils as he joined them on the run and he moved around amongst them all.”

Students from Reading University raised £9,500 for local and national charities with their “Rag Week” packed with wild and wonderful stunts.

Despite a shortage of lorries,11 floats joined the parade,and managed to collect donations from passers-by in Broad Street with each having a different theme and costumes.