Man completes 'painful' penny farthing challenge

• Rolf Woodward covered 100km (62.1 miles) in about five hours at Palmer Park Velodrome in Reading.

Today in Reading and Wokingham corridor

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce RSS feed · yesterday Adventures in reading: Michael Rosen launches GWR campaign to keep children reading this summer • Much-loved author Michael Rosen helped Great Western Railway (GWR) launch its new Adventures in reading campaign inspiring children to keep turning pages during the summer holidays. • Michael joined young book enthusiasts on board a train from London Paddington to Reading for a special storytelling session, officially opening 10 new Little Libraries at stations across the… The post Adventures in reading: Michael Rosen launches GWR campaign to keep children reading this summer first appeared on Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Reading Chronicle news · recent Pedestrian dies on M4 as motorists left shaken • Local press cross-check for civic, crime, transport, business and neighbourhood stories.

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce RSS feed · Business and sponsor intelligence · yesterday Remembering Ian Smith, Immediate Past President • It is with immense sadness that Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce announces the death of its Immediate Past President, Ian Smith. • Ian had been closely involved with the Chamber since 1982, giving more than four decades of dedicated service to the organisation and the wider Thames Valley business community. • Over this time, Ian played a… The post Remembering Ian Smith, Immediate Past President first appeared on Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce RSS feed · Business and sponsor intelligence · yesterday Oxford College of Marketing Achieves Outstanding CIM Pass Rate • Oxford College of Marketing is celebrating another exceptional set of results following the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) June Session 6 2026 examinations, achieving an overall pass rate of 94.88% across all qualification levels. • The results reflect Oxford College of Marketing’s commitment to delivering high-quality tuition, expert tutor support and flexible learning that enables professionals… The post Oxford College of Marketing Achieves Outstanding CIM Pass Rate first appeared on Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

BBC Berkshire local news RSS feed · Local media cross-checks · yesterday 'Slurring' teacher who smelled of alcohol banned • Tina Digby had been unfit to teach to teach at a primary school in Slough, a panel found.

BBC Berkshire local news RSS feed · Local media cross-checks · yesterday Officer who led PC Harper investigation 'appalled' killers could be released early • Former Det Sup Stuart Blaik, who led the investigation into the police officer's death, has publicly shared his views on the case for the first time.

BBC Berkshire local news RSS feed · Local media cross-checks · yesterday Calls grow to stop early release of officer's killers • Family members and colleagues of PC Andrew Harper want his killers to be exempt from early release.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 8 priority public listings from 8 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

Sat 8 Aug · Reading Museum · Reading Arts what's on. Bayeux Tapestry Tours

Sat 8 Aug · Reading Arts what's on. Goan Food & Cultural Festival 2026

Sat 8 Aug · Rising Sun Arts Centre · Reading Arts what's on. Here Comes The Sun Festival 2026

Sat 8 Aug · Thames RiverCruise · Reading Arts what's on. NEW! 2.5 Hour Afternoon out on the Thames

Sat 8 Aug · Thames RiverCruise · Reading Arts what's on. NEW! Sundowner Evening Cruise Goring Route

Sat 8 Aug · Reading Business Improvement District (BID) · Reading Arts what's on. Reading Dino Trail

Sat 8 Aug · Great Hall Reading University · Reading Arts what's on. Reading Gin & Rum Festival 2026

Sat 8 Aug · Thames RiverCruise · Reading Arts what's on. River Trips from Caversham

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Local picks on Amazon

Three local-interest Amazon UK searches for Reading readers, rotating daily.

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