WE have rounded up some of Reading's most shocking, eye-opening and important stories from the past week.
Here are a few of the most significant stories readers should be aware of:
1. Oxford-Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine approved for use in UK
A Covid-19 vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been approved for use in the UK, paving the way for mass rollout.
The jab, which has been described as a "game changer", was given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the approval is "fantastic news" and confirmed the rollout will begin on January 4.
Read more here.
2. New Year Honours 2021: Chief nurse awarded MBE for Covid-19 efforts
An inspiring chief nurse has been recognised for her efforts in the fight against coronavirus.
Patricia Jane Pease who works at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
The award recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people.
Find out more about Patricia and her work.
3. New Thai restaurant with brilliant pun name coming to Reading’s Broad Street Mall
A new Thai restaurant is coming to Reading, with plans submitted for the new signs at one of the units at Broad Street Mall.
The amusingly-named ThaiGrr! will take up unit 1D at the shopping centre on Queens Walk.
4. Longed-for babies welcomed into the world this year thanks to IVF
2020 has been a challenging and despairing year for many but for some, it has brought much joy.
Some people have welcomed their longed-for baby into the world following fertility treatment at Oxford Fertility which is part of The Fertility Partnership.
Find out more here.
5. Reading council says families can change grave type after members of Muslim community left ‘unaware and upset’
Families will have the opportunity to change to a more traditional grave for their loved ones at a section of Reading Cemetery.
Plans to ‘grass over’ the graves at the Caversham cemetery left some families “unaware and upset”.
The graves are in lawned areas at the Reading Cemetery and Crematorium on Henley Road but some members of the Muslim community prefer earth graves, where they can plant flowers.
Families with loved ones in this section will be offered the opportunity to pay to change their grave to a more traditional type after communication issues left some members of the community unaware of the type of grave planned for the section.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here