A PUBLIC inquiry into the building of Reading’s IDR (Inner Distribution Road) in 1972, heard that a proposed tunnel underneath the Forbury Gardens was not feasible, and the depth of the planned sunken road was not practicable.

Reading’s Assistant Town Clerk, Roger Baker, told the inquiry that the town’s traffic and environment must be relieved, and a long-term view was needed help ease congestion.

One of the largest and finest cedar trees in the South of England, which had featured for centuries in paintings and postcards, was given protected status 47 years ago.

The tree, which to this day completely dominates the top end of Castle Hill, Reading, was one of many which had been subject of urgent preservation orders by the local Development Control committee.

The order- which came into effect immediately- covered five acacias and a number of sycamores, was rushed through, as nearby trees were under threat from properties wanting to expand their car parking arrangements.

Courage Brewery announced the winners of their “pubs in bloom” competition in 1972, and five local licensees won two first and three second prizes. The competition, which involved over 1,500 establishments, was designed to encourage the growth of flowers in their gardens, or to decorate the outside with window boxes and tubs.First prize in the garden category went to the Shoulder of Mutton, Playhatch, near Sonning and the Chronicle published a photo of Mr and Mrs Taylor proudly tending to their ‘pride and joy’. Great Auclum, Burghfield, hosted an RAC Hill Climb Championship event for sports racing cars with engine capacities between 501 and 1601cc in 1972. The event saw a complete reshuffle of the championship line-up and the shattering of track records by Berkshire drivers.

Michael Cole, of Bath Road, Sonning set the record for G.T. and Sports cars, crossing the finish line in 21.49 seconds in his Mallock U2 mark VIII.

Mortimer’s Sir Nicholas Williamson failed to get near the track record and lost several possible points, but he retained his lead at the top of the Hill Climb Championship table.

Reading FC played a pre-season friendly 47 years ago and won the game 4-0 but the Chronicle reported that as good as the home side were, the visitors were even worse.

A crowd of just over 2,300 saw three goals from Les Chappell, who found his way through the wide-open spaces in the Watford penalty area.

At the end of the season, Reading finished on 52 points, narrowly missing promotion by four points-the three points for a win was introduced in 1981- in 1972 teams only got two points for a win.

The motoring section of the Chronicle introduced the new Audi 80 front-wheel-drive saloon car 47 years ago, complete with a revolutionary new safety system.

The rack-and-pinion design would enable the vehicle to maintain its direction even when braking with a flat tyre or a defective

brake.