Trawling through the Chronicle archive can throw up some interesting old photos which ask many more questions than answers.

Many of these black and white images could remain unseen,but in this weeks Retro we are going to take the chance to feature some which were taken in the 1960's and 70's.

In those far off days it was standard newspaper practice for the picture caption to be detached as it was laid on the page so very little information survived and the only details left on the reverse of the print consisted of a 'doctors scrawl' style scribble.

This week we are hoping that these images may jog some memories and readers may recognise themselves or (better still) have an idea of what on earth is going on in some of these photos!

First up are the wonderful 'Ukrainian Dancers' who are posing for the Chronicle camera sometime in the 1960's and they certainly look very happy to do so.

Another photo call involves the launch of the Raleigh Automatic Moped R.M.8 which also includes a 'glamorous model'-much beloved by (non PC) public relations departments in the 1970's.

Sporting the latest fashion in December 1976 was Susan Shepherd who is looking a little overdressed in the lounge of her home-the significance of all the white dots on her dress is not recorded.

It is incredible to believe that in 1968 some railway line crossings involved open and shut gates which (it appears) were operated by the drivers of cars themselves.The caption doesn't identify the location but eagle-eyed readers may notice the amazingly understated warning sign which advises drivers to 'stop,look & listen' before crossing the line!

The gentleman in our next image is patently a dog lover as he is accompanied by an extremely large 'hound' whilst clutching a trophy and both seem very pleased to do so!

Beauty pageants were all the rage in 1970 and Karen Lewis (pictured) was crowned that years 'Rag Queen' at Reading University (?) whilst another UOR photo call involved two very learned scholars viewing a bizarre art installation in the shape of a tree trunk.

Susan Rose (pictured with her horse in 1970) seems to have the largest collection of silver cups and rosettes in history!But it is a shame that the only words eligible on the caption gives a clue that she was from a farm in Midgham,near Reading.

The best smile and hairstyle prize must go to a local lady called Patricia Baker who is sporting the uniform of (now defunct) Pan Am airlines and probably related to an job announcement of some sort.

Last but not least is a picture that may remind readers of the wonderful actor Kathy Staff who played the formidable character called 'Nora Batty' in the BBC sitcom 'Last of the Summer Wine'.

The Reading Chronicle archive photographs featured here reflect a bygone age where being 'PC' hadn't yet been invented and health and safety had not yet arrived.