Printabord PCB Ltd, Reading, Berkshire, England

The county town of Berkshire—Reading—is a lively blend of old and new. Now a thriving industrial centre in the ‘Golden Belt’ which stretches westwards from London on both sides of the M4 motorway, it enjoys a reputation for its fine university as well as its industry. A modern shopping zone contrasts with the attractions of greater interest for art and history lovers, such as museums and art galleries, and the ruins of the Norman Abbey founded in 1121, where Henry 1 lies buried. For the literary record, Oscar Wilde wrote his famous ‘Ballad of Reading Gaol’ and ‘De Profundis’ during his imprisonment in the town. Scenically, too, the Thames Valley hinterland has much to recommend it—leafy lanes, country walks, historic houses.