On something of a (coin related) roll here...
To celebrate the United Kingdom Honours system, the Royal Mint have issued this beautiful £5 coin. This loneliness is notable for probably being the only UK circulating coin to carry a reproduction of the monarch's signature. Above this, a depiction of some of the medals that may be awarded for various outstanding activities and actions.
Even German owned discount store Aldi has got in on the act! Who could resist patriotic looking cans of beer?!? Well not me that's for sure LOL.
This week the little, sleepy town of Reading has appeared on the world famous London Underground Map, detailing the routes taken by the Tube, or Subway if you're so inclined. Reading station and others in Berkshire is now officially connected to the Tube network, by means of the brand new overground Elizabeth Line, which is due to open shortly. Bet you can't guess how this new railway got it's name LOL!
Read more from Berkshire Live.
Here's a nice article regarding the celebrations to mark two hundred years of biscuit making in Reading. The world renown Huntley and Palmer biscuit factory was something of a local landmark back in the day. Following acquisition, the company moved from the area and eventually the brand all but disappeared. It has been sporadically reintroduced by the clever girls and boys in biscuit marketing but H&P are now sadly just a footnote in the list of great British companies.
Just look what's arrived in the post! This lovely Aussie one dollar coin featuring the Honey Bee.
Berkshire based Carter's Steam Fair have announced that sadly this year will be their last in their current form.
Owner Joby Carter (son of founder John) has confirmed he is selling the travelling fair with the intention it will have a new permanent fixed base. Obviously this has caused great sadness for fans of the fairground attractions from a bygone era but the move to a fix site does make sense. Likely benefits will be improved health and safety, the guarantee of jobs around whichever location hosts it and of course the vehicles themselves just aren't getting any younger and it is costly keeping them road worthy.
Whether the Carter brand continues under the new management waits to be seen. For some of us there will also be a special place in our hearts for this particular travelling attraction. I have visited over many years exchanging my Pounds Sterling for pre-decimal coins to put into the slot machines. There's nothing quite like the sound and smell of the engines puffing away, powering the different rides. I can even recall when he was still very small taking young man to see the motorcycle wall of death, a true dying art. Such memories! The next generation will not know of such thrills!
Read here from Berkshire Live.
