Reading in the news - Wed 12 Mar
12 March 2025

Loddon Garden Village plans: Reading Chronicle, Bracknell News, Greatest Hits, UK Property Forums and TransLogistics report on the launch of the University’s community consultation for plans for Loddon Garden Village, a new development near Shinfield, Arborfield and Sindlesham. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire and Greatest Hits Radio about the University’s involvement in the project. From our story: Consultation begins on new garden village for Wokingham.
North Sea collision: Dr Alex Lukyanov (Mathematics and Statistics) was quoted in The Independent, Daily Mail, Irish News, This is Money, CBS News Online, Daily Record, LBC Online, The Canadian Press and The Defence News about the environmental implications following the ship collision in the North Sea. He also spoke to Heart Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Berkshire.
Further coverage includes: Salisbury Journal, York Press, The Argus, Military, People, Yahoo Entertainment, Army Times, MSN, Grenada Star, Today Headline, Exbulletin and many more. From our expert comment: ‘North Sea oil spill environmental impact could be severe’.
#PlanetPartners: working with global partners to protect the environment
- Dr Chris Wyver (Agriculture) spoke to BBC Radio Berkshire about Fruitwatch, a citizen science project analysing tree blossom. From our story: Public match experts in blossom watch – now help track 2025.
- Heart Berkshire mentioned that data from the University showed that last Sunday was one of the warmest spring days on record. From our expert comment: Sunny Sunday was among warmest early Spring days.
- WDC TV reports on a new study led by Professor Richard Allan (Meteorology) on how changing cloud coverage is accelerating climate change. From our story: Earth's 'dirty mirror' effect is accelerating climate change.
Other coverage:
- Reading Today and Reading.gov.uk highlights the Reading Half Marathon on March 23, with the route passing through the University campus before finishing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
- Dr Alexandra Cox (Law) wrote an article for Smithsonian Magazine on the story of Clementina Rind, a pivotal female figure in early American journalism.
- Science Daily and Mirage News reports a breakthrough in next-generation polio vaccines, featuring an international research collaboration that included the University.
- The Museum of English Rural Life is featured in a repeat episode of BBC Two’s Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
Alumni:
- B2B Central highlights the appointment of John Chaplin, a Henley Business School graduate, as a non-Executive director at Paycorp.
- The Art Newspaper reviews a book by the chief executive of Arts Council England, Darren Henley, noting his studies at Henley Business School.
- A former teacher spoke to Greatest Hits Radio of his teacher training days at Bulmershe College, which was part of the University. The interview was syndicated on regional stations around the UK.