Five top stories: Gerard Butler spotted in Reading and school gains new Ofsted rating

Here are the top five stories in Reading this week (Saturday, May 18 - Saturday, May 26).

1. 'Gerard Butler' in Reading amid filming for Greenland: Migration

Shooting for a major Hollywood blockbuster film started today here in Reading.

Various scenes for Greenland: Migration, a sequel to the 2020 thriller, were filmed today Thursday May 23 along Tessa Road by the old Evening Post building.

Dozens of members of the film crew stationed up with various bits of expensive equipment, including cameras attached to drones.

Read full story here 

2. Disabled mother hits back at the council over back garden

A local disabled woman has hit back at the council after they refused to cut her grass for her.

Tilehurst resident Susan Benham, 70, said the council has been trimming her grass and hedges for quite some time.

Despite her being unable to tend to her own garden the council recently called her up and told her that they would no longer be doing the work.

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3. Woman moves back home to run The Swan at Three Mile Cross

A woman, who grew up within the pub industry, has returned home after many years to take on an exciting new venture.

Charlotte Grant, 43, grew up in Spencers wood and has recently returned to the area to become the new landlady of The Swan at Three Mile Cross.

"It's been really amazing," she said. "I never thought I'd move back to the village. I grew up in Spencers Wood in a pub that was called the Red Lion which closed in 1997.

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4. Woodley CofE Primary School receives 'Good' rating in latest Ofsted

A Woodley primary school has been praised after they were awarded a ‘good’ rating in their latest Ofsted inspection.

Woodley CofE Primary School was assessed by the education watchdog on April 17 and April 18.

Located on Hurricane Way, it caters to 316 pupils aged 5 to 11.

The school was previously rated ‘Good’ during its inspection by the state schools regulator in 2014 and a short inspection in 2018

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5. Sainsbury's responds to mixed reactions about self-service in Reading

Sainsbury’s customers across Reading have voiced mixed views as more and more supermarkets switch their systems to mainly self-service in-store.

This comes as the store in Reading town centre opposite the Oracle added more self-service checkouts to ‘meet customer demands’.

Although some shoppers told the Chronicle that they preferred to scan through their own shopping, other have spoken up on our socials media saying that they prefer a more personal touch when shopping.

Read full story here