FROM climate protests to Love Island - July 2019 seems like a different world to the one we are living in right now.

But believe it or not, these are what made headlines in Reading and Bracknell this time last year.

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We have rounded up 10 stories from last July as a throwback this Thursday to remember a simpler time in our lives - anyone remember the HUGE dinosaur in The Lexicon?

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Escape the Covid craziness with these year-old stories.

READING

1. Reading's India Reynolds makes the final of Love Island

Reading Chronicle:

On July 29 last year, many of us sat down to excitedly watch the Love Island final, featuring Reading's own India Reynolds.

The model, alongside partner Ovie, was up against Tommy and Molly-Mae, Maura and Curtis and Greg and Amber.

Fans from Reading were excited to see a local woman appear on the show, and many took to Twitter when she joined to discuss their first impressions of her.

One posted on the social media site: 'Yasssssss, India repping Reading!'

A happier time.

Click here to read the full story.

2. SHOCKING: Picture shows length of cockroach infestation in Chinese restaurant

Reading Chronicle:

Environmental officers found the cockroaches in Beijing Noodle House, on West Street, on July 11 last year, and a hygiene emergency prohibition notice was served.

The case was heard in Reading Magistrates' Court on July 18.

The court issued a hygiene protection order which means the restaurant must close until improvements are made as the premises are a risk to public health.

Not nice... click here to read the full story.

3. Arthur Hill campaigners petition to save pool gets 1,500 signatures

Reading Chronicle:

Arthur Hill campaigners last year called for the council to consult the people of Reading on plans for the former historic pool.

More than 1,500 people signed a petition asking Reading Borough Council (RBC) to consider reopening the site for leisure, sports and community use and consult with members of the public on the future of the site.

Read the full story here.

4. Watch the moment a Reading shop assistant wrestles a gun from would-be robber

Reading Chronicle:

A man who tried to rob a store in Reading at gunpoint was jailed last July - and we showed you the impressive footage which shows a quick-thinking member of staff wrestling the gun from the man, who fled the scene on foot.

Amazing!

Read and watch here.

5. Driving school closes

Reading Chronicle:

On July 30 last year, it was announced that the Reading driving test centre would be closing in 2020.

It was decided that the centre, on Elgar Road, would close in May this year, as the lease on the site would not be renewed.

Many were upset to hear the news.

Read about this and reactions here.

BRACKNELL

1. Huge dinosaur plans at Three Lexicon

Reading Chronicle:

It was announced last July that dinosaurs will be stomping through the streets of Bracknell town, giving shoppers an opportunity to find out more about the prehistoric species.

A massive 18 metre long, eight metre high T-Rex, with life-like features, captivated shoppers as they went about their daily business.

We miss that huge dinosaur.

Read more about this here.

2. WATCH: Climate activists protest outside council as action plan created

Reading Chronicle:

On July 17 last year, environmental activists demonstrated outside the council’s offices as councillors came together to create a plan to tackle climate change.

Conservative and Labour members were set to bring separate climate action plans to a meeting of all the borough’s councillors but settled on a mix of the two after debating the issue.

Read the full story here.

3. Bracknell and Wokingham College art students create positive artwork for Winkfield St Marys Primary School

Reading Chronicle:

Last July, college students teamed up with a school in Bracknell by designing a mural aimed at improving pupil's mental wellbeing.

Bracknell and Wokingham College partnered up with Winkfield St Mary's C of E Primary School to create a piece of art on the wall as part of its quiet garden area.

The mural was designed to form the garden in memory of former staff member Janet Swain.

A lovely thing to do.

Read more here.

4. Sandhurst Waitrose closes

Reading Chronicle:

Locals were sad to hear last July that Waitrose in Sandhurst would be closing.

Waitrose and Partners on Yorktown Road announced on on July 18, 2019 that it will be closing the store.

The retailer closed three of its shops and sold another four, putting 677 jobs at risk throughout the country.

Read more here.

5. Pupils take part in exciting rock painting challenge

Reading Chronicle:

Sticking with Sandhurst, this cute story informed us about adventurous pupils taking part in a social media rock painting activity by displaying their creations around the town.

Greengables Day Nursery in Owlsmoor gave toddlers the opportunity to have fun by decorating stones and then hiding them around Sandhurst town.

Read the full story here.