MOVING into a new home in 1972 was just as stressful as it is today, but a family from Earley discovered that the previous owners had left behind an unexpected gift.
Whilst clearing a shelf in the garage, Ronald Newman came face to face with a hand-grenade, complete with its pin and explosives still intact.
Mr Newman took his two young children out of harms way, and soon after police inspected the WW2 era grenade.
However, he was informed that nobody was available from the Bomb Disposal Squad to take it away, the issue remained unresolved at the time the Chronicle went to press.
MOVING BUDDY: A live grenade was found on a garage shelf
Police sealed off part of Reading town centre 49 years ago, as 40 firefighters fought a blaze in a Duke Street restaurant.
Seven fire appliances from Reading, Pangbourne and Sonning responded to an emergency call from the Ship Hotel, opposite the Duke Street Grill, which had been empty for some weeks previously.
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Firefighters used breathing apparatus as they fought the blaze and a turntable ladder was brought in to use to reach the three-storey building.
FIRE DRAMA: The Duke Street Grill went up in flames
To make it easier for Reading Corporation bus customers purchase their tickets, a new machine was being installed on services.
The new-style contraptions, it was hoped, would speed the entry of passengers on to the “jumbo” buses by using a photographic-type process.
A spokesperson for the corporation told the Chronicle: “Each device costs £300 to install, they should have come into operation when the new buses were introduced, but the delivery was delayed.”
TICKET TO RIDE: A new machine was finally installed on the buses
The first cinema organ to be installed in any UK cinema for over 30 years was put through its paces at the Regal in Henley by none other than “Mr Blackpool”.
Reginald Dixon, who retired from playing 30 years previously, was famous for playing at the Blackpool Tower and he gave a special recital on the Compton cinema organ including his famous number, “Storm at Sea”.
After his recital Mr Dixon told the Chronicle: “I played it once for a week in Tunbridge Wells and it is as good now as it ever was.”
BLACKPOOL ROCK: Henley cinema got a new organ
Reading University students celebrated rag week with a large procession through the town centre with a variety of floats, cars and decorated bicycles, each with its own special theme.
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St Patrick’s Hall dressed up as “Dad’s Army”, whilst Whiteknights Hall donned the garb of “Monty Python” in front of thousands of bemused onlookers.
RAG TRADE: Reading University’s annual parade stopped the traffic
Members of the University’s Operatic Society also took time during rag week to rehearse for their forthcoming production of “Moses in Egypt” in the Great Hall.
Despite the many electricity power cuts which had earlier interrupted rehearsals, the show producer John Stow managed to secure a mobile generator.
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: Reading University rehearsed “Moses in Egypt”
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