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Berkshire weekly round-up: 12 November - 18 November 2023

BBC Golf course development, ReadingBBC
Road names for a 223-home golf course development in Caversham were criticised by councillors

A council debate over what to call streets on a new housing development was among our most read stories this week in Berkshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Berkshire and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

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'Laughable' road name suggestions for development

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Councillors described suggestions to name roads in landlocked Reading after 18th Century ships as "laughable"

Road names suggested for a development have been described as "laughable".

They were being picked for nine streets on a 223-home golf course development in Caversham, Reading.

But councillors said some of the suggestions - including a tractor, a type of oil lamp, and 18th Century naval vessels - were not right for the area.

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UK Hollywood film studio set for 2024 completion

Shinfield Studios aerial view of buildingsShinfield Studios
The Berkshire studios will have 18 sound stages, workshops, offices and post-production facilities

The construction of a state-of-the-art film and TV studio complex is nearing completion.

All 18 soundstages at Shinfield Studios, near Reading, will be in use early next year, with the entire Hollywood-style complex expected to be finished by the end of 2024.

Building work at the Thames Valley Science Park has been taking place for two years with media companies Disney and Sony already using the studios.

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NHS centre says its needs more plasma donors

Getty Images A bag of plasmaGetty Images
The NHS needs more people to donate plasma

An NHS donation centre is struggling to recruit enough new plasma donors because many people do not realise they are eligible to donate.

The Reading donation centre receives about 2,400 donors - but another 2,300 are needed over the next year.

Plasma can be used to make medicines that treat more than 50 conditions.

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RAF veteran, 85, receives nuclear testing medal

BBC Nuclear Veteran Roger FilbyBBC
Roger Filby's silver medal features an atom surrounded by olive branches

An 85-year-old veteran has received a medal for his involvement in nuclear weapons testing on Christmas Island.

Roger Filby, who lives in Caversham, Reading, joined the RAF aged 18 and was part of Operation Grapple in 1957.

The Nuclear Test Medal has been released 70 years after the first test. Downing Street agreed to its creation after years of campaigning.

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Mini cannons fired to mark King's birthday

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The guns are much smaller than regular cannons, but still make a loud noise

An annual 21-gun salute to mark King Charles' 75th birthday has taken place outside a royal residence.

Mini cannons, each 1ft (30cm) long, were lined along the The Long Walk at Windsor Castle on Tuesday lunchtime.

Local children were invited to take part in the long-standing tradition by firing some of the cannons under supervision.

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