http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/ Top stories for Reading News http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108212_sex_club_ban_for_the_king_of_the_swingers David Kay probably wishes he could take council planning staff down to his sex club dungeon for a proper spanking. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108212_sex_club_ban_for_the_king_of_the_swingers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108214_reading_shoppers_put_off_by_chuggers Town centre shoppers were bombarded by direct debit hunting charity collectors on almost 100 occasions in the last year. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108214_reading_shoppers_put_off_by_chuggers Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108228_air_crash_inquest_starts_today The inquest into the death of a teenage air cadet from Calcot who died in a mid-air collision begins today. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108228_air_crash_inquest_starts_today Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108215_vulnerable_pupil_abused_by_teacher A former teacher at a Thatcham boarding school that was shut after a sexual abuse scandal faced trial for molesting a teenage boy. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108215_vulnerable_pupil_abused_by_teacher Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108216_reading_schools_go_solar_to_cut_costs Two primary schools and a children’s centre are among the first in Reading borough to harness the power of the sun as part of a council bid to cut energy costs. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108216_reading_schools_go_solar_to_cut_costs Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108224_drugs_binge_killed_electrician An electrician described as a “hard worker” died after bingeing on a cocktail of drugs and drink, a coroner has ruled. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108224_drugs_binge_killed_electrician Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108201_man_rescued_after_fire_at_takeaway A man was rescued by firefighters from a first floor flat after a kitchen fire at a takeaway in East Reading this afternoon.  http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108201_man_rescued_after_fire_at_takeaway Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108202_woman_rehomed_after_flood_at_bungalow A woman had to be rehomed this afternoon when a pipe burst and flooded her bungalow in Emmer Green this afternoon. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108202_woman_rehomed_after_flood_at_bungalow Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108203_driver_escapes_after_van_fire_on_a329m A driver had a lucky escape when the van he was driving caught fire as he was travelling along the A329(M) this morning. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108203_driver_escapes_after_van_fire_on_a329m Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108095_swindler_nearly_ruined_garage A garage with a 32-year history was almost destroyed by a book-keeper who swindled the family business out of £400,000 to pay for new cars and holidays. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108095_swindler_nearly_ruined_garage Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108097_countess_of_wessex_visits_hawkedon_school Royal fever swept through Lower Earley on Wednesday when the Countess of Wessex paid a visit. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108097_countess_of_wessex_visits_hawkedon_school Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108098_lennie_celebrates_40_years_in_the_news Newspaper vendor Lennie Williams has been a familiar figure in the town centre for a remarkable 40 years this year. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108098_lennie_celebrates_40_years_in_the_news Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108099_failing_primary_bids_to_become_an_academy Academy sponsor CfBT Schools Trust is backing Upcroft Primary School in Tilehurst to become an academy from this September. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108099_failing_primary_bids_to_become_an_academy Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/jobs/news/s/2108100_47_jobs_to_go_at_west_berkshire_council West Berkshire Council is planning to cut 47 more jobs on top of the 120 lost last year. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/jobs/news/s/2108100_47_jobs_to_go_at_west_berkshire_council Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108146_a_daredevil_dive_for_dad A young man whose father is struggling with multiple sclerosis (MS) is jumping out of a plane to help other sufferers. Rob Bromley is all set to make a tandem skydive, harnessed to an instructor, from 12,000ft tomorrow. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108146_a_daredevil_dive_for_dad Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108148_europewide_emergency_phone_number How do you call the police in Poland? What about an ambulance in Amsterdam? http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108148_europewide_emergency_phone_number Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107961_faces_of_the_makro_rioters Six men and a youth were jailed on Friday for their part in Reading’s “three-and-a-half minute” riot last summer. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107961_faces_of_the_makro_rioters Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108061_three_arrested_after_serious_assault_in_reading Two men and a youth have been arrested in connection with a serious assault in Reading town centre on Tuesday afternoon. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108061_three_arrested_after_serious_assault_in_reading Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107967_imam_wins_fight_against_sacking_from_mosque A 31-year-old imam has won his battle against wrongful dismissal from the South Street mosque. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107967_imam_wins_fight_against_sacking_from_mosque Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/lifestyle/food_and_drink/s/2107966_final_party_as_afroba_closes A popular independent bar in Reading town centre is to close its doors this weekend after 10 years. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/lifestyle/food_and_drink/s/2107966_final_party_as_afroba_closes Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107971_charity_places_still_available_for_reading_half_marathon Several charities still have places for runners wanting to tackle the Reading Half Marathon and give their funds a boost. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107971_charity_places_still_available_for_reading_half_marathon Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108072_five_pals_take_on_channel_swim Girls who grew up in Reading and were members of local swimming clubs are taking on a gruelling Channel challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108072_five_pals_take_on_channel_swim Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107978_support_for_worton_grange_housing_development Plans for a 300-home development with a supermarket have been broadly welcomed by visitors to a public exhibition. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107978_support_for_worton_grange_housing_development Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108050_holocaust_memorial_day_promotes_a_better_future A thought-provoking week of Holocaust memorial events has been hailed a success. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108050_holocaust_memorial_day_promotes_a_better_future Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108049_age_uk_petitions_against_cuts_in_social_care AGE UK Reading has appealed for local people to back its drive to fight cuts in social care. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108049_age_uk_petitions_against_cuts_in_social_care Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108047_schools_help_marvellous_medicine_fund Gifts from local schools have been a tonic for George’s Extra Marvellous Medicine Fund, a charity set up by the family of George Major, seven, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108047_schools_help_marvellous_medicine_fund Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108045_crash_victim_sues_for_300000 A passenger who was badly hurt in a car crash has launched a legal battle for compensation of more than £300,000. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108045_crash_victim_sues_for_300000 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108044_more_cash_for_community_funding More money will be going into making local communities better places to live. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108044_more_cash_for_community_funding Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108040_sad_farewell_to_cyclist_killed_on_a4 Mourners will gather to say a final farewell on Saturday to a cricketer and family man from Thatcham who died while cycling to work. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108040_sad_farewell_to_cyclist_killed_on_a4 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108015_firefighters_rescue_staff_member_from_royal_berks Firefighters were called to Royal Berkshire Hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning to rescue a member of staff who was stuck in a lift. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108015_firefighters_rescue_staff_member_from_royal_berks Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108013_30_million_boost_for_teacher_training_in_reading The University of Reading’s Institute of Education has moved back to its original home at the uni’s London Road campus after a £30 million refit. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108013_30_million_boost_for_teacher_training_in_reading Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108011_extra_cash_for_the_vulnerable_during_cold_snap A pot of extra money means a plunge in the temperature won’t be such a bitter blow for elderly and vulnerable people in Reading. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108011_extra_cash_for_the_vulnerable_during_cold_snap Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108008_call_for_controls_on_energy_drinks A councillor is hoping to call time on selling energy drinks to children. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2108008_call_for_controls_on_energy_drinks Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108006_record_applications_for_university_of_reading_places The University of Reading is bucking the national trend with a record number of applications for undergraduate courses. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2108006_record_applications_for_university_of_reading_places Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107982_join_in_the_mayors_charity_quiz People are being urged to put their brains to the test at a quiz night to raise funds for charities supported by Mayor of Reading Councillor Deborah Edwards. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107982_join_in_the_mayors_charity_quiz Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107900_fond_tributes_to_joe_holyer Family, friends and colleagues gathered yesterday to bid an emotional farewell to a teacher described as “the most legendary man who has ever walked the grounds of The Forest School”. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107900_fond_tributes_to_joe_holyer Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107902_no_increase_in_reading_council_tax A zero council tax increase is on the cards in Reading but Labour councillors are hoping the opposition will help them get their budget through. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107902_no_increase_in_reading_council_tax Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107930_council_launches_health_consultation Reading Borough Council (RBC) has launched a campaign to find out what residents’ priorities are when it comes to their health and wellbeing. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107930_council_launches_health_consultation Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107904_university_expert_highlights_the_plight_of_the_bumblebee A conservation expert at The University of Reading reveals how bees are essential to keep Britain’s economy buzzing in a new TV series starting tonight. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107904_university_expert_highlights_the_plight_of_the_bumblebee Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107906_reading_postcodes_top_burglary_tables Five Reading postcodes are in the top 100 national burglary hotspots according to a insurance comparison website. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107906_reading_postcodes_top_burglary_tables Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2107953_after_school_club_will_not_close_promise Reading's lead councillor for education and children’s services has promised parents Coley Park After School club would not close while Labour was in charge. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2107953_after_school_club_will_not_close_promise Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2107955_theale_green_visitor_packs_a_punch Sporty pupils at Theale Green Community School have been given a knockout PE lesson with former England and Great Britain boxing champion Darran Langley. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/education/s/2107955_theale_green_visitor_packs_a_punch Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107950_reading_buses_going_solar Reading Transport is looking to the skies for help in reducing its carbon footprint. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107950_reading_buses_going_solar Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107951_witness_in_convict_him_message_to_police A jury heard how a witness who works for the police wrote to an investigating officer urging him to ensure a defendant was “convicted on as many charges as possible”. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107951_witness_in_convict_him_message_to_police Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107948_tilehurst_man_on_child_sex_charge A 53-year-old Tilehurst man is expected to appear before Reading Crown Court next month charged with sexually abusing a young girl. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107948_tilehurst_man_on_child_sex_charge Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107949_driver_cut_as_rock_thrown_at_train A train driver was injured after a block of ice or snow- covered rock thrown at a Reading-bound train shattered the window. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107949_driver_cut_as_rock_thrown_at_train Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107937_restaurant_fined_for_safety_breach The owner of a Chinese restaurant in Thatcham has been ordered to pay more than £11,000 for seriously breaching fire safety regulations and putting the lives of staff and public at risk. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107937_restaurant_fined_for_safety_breach Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107933_wards_close_to_new_admissions_after_outbreak_of_norovirus An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug in Reading has forced Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) to shut several wards to new admissions. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2107933_wards_close_to_new_admissions_after_outbreak_of_norovirus Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/entertainment/music/s/2107931_follies__sea_shanties_at_the_retreat_tonight Drunken sailors will know what to do with themselves tonight; they can enjoy singing some sea shanties at a special singalong at The Retreat. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/entertainment/music/s/2107931_follies__sea_shanties_at_the_retreat_tonight Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000 http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/business/s/2107901_108_million_cash_injection_to_local_economy Barriers to economic growth and job creation could be smashed with a £10.8 million government grant. http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/business/s/2107901_108_million_cash_injection_to_local_economy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0000