![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/dde4a6a73b8a.jpg\")
Get ready to launch your career! The highly anticipated Reading Job Fest is making a triumphant return to the historic Town Hall on March 16, 2026, promising a day brimming with opportunity for jobseekers across the region. This vital event serves as a critical nexus, directly connecting talented individuals with some of Reading's most prominent and innovative employers. In a landscape where finding the right fit can be a significant challenge, the Job Fest cuts through the noise, offering face-to-face interactions with recruiters and hiring managers who are actively seeking to fill a diverse array of positions. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge, a recent graduate eager to start your journey, or someone seeking a career change, this is your prime opportunity to explore local employment prospects and take a significant step forward in your professional life. The Town Hall will once again transform into a hub of potential, showcasing the vibrant and evolving job market right here in Reading.
\r\nThe organizers of the Reading Job Fest have underscored the event's commitment to bolstering the local economy by fostering direct connections between businesses and the skilled workforce. \"Our goal is simple: to make it easier for people to find meaningful employment within Reading and for our businesses to find the talent they need to thrive,\" stated Sarah Jenkins, Lead Event Coordinator for the Job Fest. \"Last year, we saw over 500 successful placements directly resulting from the fest, a testament to its effectiveness. We are building on that success and expect even more companies to participate this year.\" While specific company lists and detailed role breakdowns are still being finalized, early indications suggest participation from key sectors including technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and retail. Jobseekers can anticipate opportunities ranging from entry-level positions to senior management roles, catering to a wide spectrum of skills and experience levels.
\r\nAmong the expected major employers to be present are TechSolutions Inc., a rapidly growing software development firm that has been instrumental in Reading's tech boom, and Reading General Hospital, a cornerstone of the community's healthcare system, which is actively recruiting for nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. Local manufacturing giants like Precision Parts Co. will also be on hand, seeking skilled machinists and engineers to support their expanding operations. \"This isn't just about filling vacancies; it's about building careers,\" commented David Chen, HR Manager at TechSolutions Inc. \"We are looking for passionate individuals who want to grow with us. The Job Fest provides an unparalleled platform for us to meet potential team members who share our vision and drive.\"
\r\nJob seekers are encouraged to come prepared with multiple copies of their resumes, dress professionally, and research participating companies in advance to make the most of their interactions. Networking will be a key component, allowing attendees to not only apply for specific roles but also to build valuable professional relationships. The event will also feature dedicated areas for resume reviews and career counseling, offering additional support to attendees looking to fine-tune their job search strategies. With the local unemployment rate currently standing at a favorable 4.2% (according to the latest regional labor statistics), the Reading Job Fest arrives at an opportune moment to help individuals secure their place in a robust job market and for businesses to secure the talent they need to innovate and grow.
\r\nThe Reading Job Fest at Town Hall on March 16, 2026, represents a significant opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career or find new employment within the Reading area. As details on participating employers and specific job openings continue to emerge, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for both job seekers and local businesses, reinforcing Reading's commitment to a dynamic and thriving economic future. Attendees are advised to monitor the official Job Fest website for the latest updates and to pre-register for potential benefits and streamlined entry.
", "content_text": "Get ready to launch your career! The highly anticipated Reading Job Fest is making a triumphant return to the historic Town Hall on March 16, 2026, promising a day brimming with opportunity for jobseekers across the region. This vital event serves as a critical nexus, directly connecting talented individuals with some of Reading's most prominent and innovative employers. In a landscape where finding the right fit can be a significant challenge, the Job Fest cuts through the noise, offering face-to-face interactions with recruiters and hiring managers who are actively seeking to fill a diverse array of positions. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge, a recent graduate eager to start your journey, or someone seeking a career change, this is your prime opportunity to explore local employment prospects and take a significant step forward in your professional life. The Town Hall will once again transform into a hub of potential, showcasing the vibrant and evolving job market right here in Reading.\r\nThe organizers of the Reading Job Fest have underscored the event's commitment to bolstering the local economy by fostering direct connections between businesses and the skilled workforce. \"Our goal is simple: to make it easier for people to find meaningful employment within Reading and for our businesses to find the talent they need to thrive,\" stated Sarah Jenkins, Lead Event Coordinator for the Job Fest. \"Last year, we saw over 500 successful placements directly resulting from the fest, a testament to its effectiveness. We are building on that success and expect even more companies to participate this year.\" While specific company lists and detailed role breakdowns are still being finalized, early indications suggest participation from key sectors including technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and retail. Jobseekers can anticipate opportunities ranging from entry-level positions to senior management roles, catering to a wide spectrum of skills and experience levels.\r\nAmong the expected major employers to be present are TechSolutions Inc., a rapidly growing software development firm that has been instrumental in Reading's tech boom, and Reading General Hospital, a cornerstone of the community's healthcare system, which is actively recruiting for nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. Local manufacturing giants like Precision Parts Co. will also be on hand, seeking skilled machinists and engineers to support their expanding operations. \"This isn't just about filling vacancies; it's about building careers,\" commented David Chen, HR Manager at TechSolutions Inc. \"We are looking for passionate individuals who want to grow with us. The Job Fest provides an unparalleled platform for us to meet potential team members who share our vision and drive.\"\r\nJob seekers are encouraged to come prepared with multiple copies of their resumes, dress professionally, and research participating companies in advance to make the most of their interactions. Networking will be a key component, allowing attendees to not only apply for specific roles but also to build valuable professional relationships. The event will also feature dedicated areas for resume reviews and career counseling, offering additional support to attendees looking to fine-tune their job search strategies. With the local unemployment rate currently standing at a favorable 4.2% (according to the latest regional labor statistics), the Reading Job Fest arrives at an opportune moment to help individuals secure their place in a robust job market and for businesses to secure the talent they need to innovate and grow.\r\nThe Reading Job Fest at Town Hall on March 16, 2026, represents a significant opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career or find new employment within the Reading area. As details on participating employers and specific job openings continue to emerge, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for both job seekers and local businesses, reinforcing Reading's commitment to a dynamic and thriving economic future. Attendees are advised to monitor the official Job Fest website for the latest updates and to pre-register for potential benefits and streamlined entry.", "summary": "The Reading Job Fest is back! Connect directly with Reading's leading employers at Town Hall on March 16, 2026. Explore career opportunities, from entry-level to senior roles, and boost your professional future.", "date_published": "2026-04-07T13:45:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-06-06T09:16:04.930501+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/documents/ua17c56df/p3f881065/2026/06/aea1712d.png", "tags": [ "Business-3" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/documents/ua17c56df/p3f881065/2026/06/aea1712d.png", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading Job Fest Returns to Town Hall March 16, 2026: Connect with Top Employers", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 644, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Get ready to launch your career! The highly anticipated Reading Job Fest is making a triumphant return to the historic Town Hall on March 16, 2026, promising a day brimming with opportunity for jobseekers across the region. This vital event serves as a critical nexus, directly connecting talented individuals with some of Reading's most prominent and innovative employers. In a landscape where finding the right fit can be a significant challenge, the Job Fest cuts through the noise, offering face-to-face interactions with recruiters and hiring managers who are actively seeking to fill a diverse array of positions. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge, a recent graduate eager to start your journey, or someone seeking a career change, this is your prime opportunity to explore local employment prospects and take a significant step forward in your professional life. The Town Hall will once again transform into a hub of potential, showcasing the vibrant and evolving job market right here in Reading.
\r\nThe organizers of the Reading Job Fest have underscored the event's commitment to bolstering the local economy by fostering direct connections between businesses and the skilled workforce. \"Our goal is simple: to make it easier for people to find meaningful employment within Reading and for our businesses to find the talent they need to thrive,\" stated Sarah Jenkins, Lead Event Coordinator for the Job Fest. \"Last year, we saw over 500 successful placements directly resulting from the fest, a testament to its effectiveness. We are building on that success and expect even more companies to participate this year.\" While specific company lists and detailed role breakdowns are still being finalized, early indications suggest participation from key sectors including technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and retail. Jobseekers can anticipate opportunities ranging from entry-level positions to senior management roles, catering to a wide spectrum of skills and experience levels.
\r\nAmong the expected major employers to be present are TechSolutions Inc., a rapidly growing software development firm that has been instrumental in Reading's tech boom, and Reading General Hospital, a cornerstone of the community's healthcare system, which is actively recruiting for nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. Local manufacturing giants like Precision Parts Co. will also be on hand, seeking skilled machinists and engineers to support their expanding operations. \"This isn't just about filling vacancies; it's about building careers,\" commented David Chen, HR Manager at TechSolutions Inc. \"We are looking for passionate individuals who want to grow with us. The Job Fest provides an unparalleled platform for us to meet potential team members who share our vision and drive.\"
\r\nJob seekers are encouraged to come prepared with multiple copies of their resumes, dress professionally, and research participating companies in advance to make the most of their interactions. Networking will be a key component, allowing attendees to not only apply for specific roles but also to build valuable professional relationships. The event will also feature dedicated areas for resume reviews and career counseling, offering additional support to attendees looking to fine-tune their job search strategies. With the local unemployment rate currently standing at a favorable 4.2% (according to the latest regional labor statistics), the Reading Job Fest arrives at an opportune moment to help individuals secure their place in a robust job market and for businesses to secure the talent they need to innovate and grow.
\r\nThe Reading Job Fest at Town Hall on March 16, 2026, represents a significant opportunity for anyone looking to advance their career or find new employment within the Reading area. As details on participating employers and specific job openings continue to emerge, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for both job seekers and local businesses, reinforcing Reading's commitment to a dynamic and thriving economic future. Attendees are advised to monitor the official Job Fest website for the latest updates and to pre-register for potential benefits and streamlined entry.
", "description": "The Reading Job Fest is back! Connect directly with Reading's leading employers at Town Hall on March 16, 2026. Explore career opportunities, from entry-level to senior roles, and boost your professional future.", "dateModified": "2026-06-06T09:16:04.930501+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-04-07T13:45:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Business-3", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-job-fest-returns-to-town-hall-march-16-2026-connect-with-top-employers/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "337", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-comptoir-libanais/", "title": "Eating Out - Comptoir Libanais", "content_html": "I have a soft spot for Lebanon despite never having been there. Many of my best friend's best friends when I first moved to London after uni were Lebanese. They were rich and glamorous and kind and funny. Some became my friends and their stories of a perfect country at the end of the Mediterranean with its castles and coast and wine and olive groves and beaches and mountains was alluring.
\nI longed to visit, but the country was then, and remains, in a perpetual state of war.\u00a0 There aren't enough bits and bytes left on my computer to explain why, but suffice to say that the Brits screwed up Palestine and the French screwed up Lebanon.
\nA couple of weeks previously my wife and I booked the trip of a lifetime to Jordan and Egypt with some of her Dubai based colleagues. My wife has always wanted to visit Petra and the Pyramids (I have seen both before meeting her). On a previous business trip to Israel she had booked and paid for the trip into Jordan before fate and the Israeli military intervened.
\nThese are the risks you take in engaging at all with this very broken part of the world.
\nBut it seemed that the least you can do is support the Lebanese in any way you can as they are caught between the murderous Hezbollah and the genocidal Israeli-US military machine.
\nLebanon is known for its cuisine and its wine, so no further excuse was needed as G and I headed through the gloom to Oracle Riverside once more.
\nFor a town with so many ethnic restaurants from Romanian to Afghan, from Polish to Cuban (for now) we have some glaring gaps. There is no tapas, no Mexican, only C\u00f4te as a 'French' restaurants. No Spanish or Portuguese (any more). No Turkish, no Syrian nor Moroccan. There is no Israeli restaurant nor Egyptian. The Mediterranean is badly represented in Reading.
\nBut we have four Lebanese restaurants - Lebanese Flavours (previously Bakery House) in London Road, Hala Lebanese on Wokingham Road, Lebanese Village in Caversham and Comptoir Libanais, which, this being Reading, is part of a chain of eighteen UK and four international restaurants.
\nI had visited this branch once before and was totally underwhelmed so never bothered to revisit until now.
\nWe decided to go all in with the 'Feast' which is hardly a bargain at \u00a337.50 per head.
\n
For that you get a dish of dips - hummus, fatteh, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh salad, a couple of cheese borek and a couple of falafel with two large bouncy soft flatbread slathered in butter.
\nIt was all very pleasant, but nowhere as good as the Greek Souvlaki's mixed starter.
\nNow, I have a thing about falafel having lived near the Jewish quarter in Paris' Marais. (I am also hoping to revisit Felfela's in Cairo if I managed to get out there next month.) The problem with most falafel is that they are made only with chickpeas, but this makes for a dry mix. The trick is to mix the chickpeas with broad beans which makes it moister inside. These were chickpea only although did have a good mix of herbs running through them and were nice and crunchy.
\nIn a vain effort to help the economy of this bedevilled nation we started with a bottle of house white from the Bekka Valley and it was a fine choice, slightly sharp with a flowery tint. Lebanon is known for its reds such as the famous Chateau Mansour, but their white wine making has come along leaps and bounds.
\nAs ever, G and I were caught up in conversations about the latest developments in the tech world and his recent visit to the Florida panhandle. (Apparently tourism to Florida has fallen off a cliff leaving the 'Gulf Of America' to the Statesiders.)
\nThe polite waitress came over a couple of times to ask we were ready for mains, but we weren't, which may be the precursor to how this meal went badly downhill.
\nFor mains, as part of the 'Feast' we ordered and share a mixed grill and a salmon.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/05de6f5f3269.jpg\")
They were dreadful. The salmon had been cooked so long that the ends were solid and the middle was dry and nasty. The accompanying chickpeas in tomato sauce was a strange accompaniment and was also pretty horrid. Imagine baked beans made with chickpeas. Some fresh parsley may have helped, but as it stood it was a bad, paltry dish and easily the worst thing I have been served in Reading over the past decade (which is saying something).
\nBy now we had moved onto the house red which is light and quite delicious. We were clearly doing much better with the booze than the food.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/9c7b50e3203e.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nThe mixed grill was three meaty skewers with rice and salad. The lamb and chicken kofta were rubbery and totally underwhelming and the chicken taouk had dried out to be just this side of edible.
\nEven the accompanying chilli and yoghurt sauces, which came in thimbles, were pretty bad.
\nI don't know if this was our 'fault' for taking long over starters, but it was a dreadful meal in a town where there are fifty great places to get better grilled meat. In these difficult times for restaurants the heavy hand of the accountants can be seen everywhere.
\nAt the end of the meal we were served a small piece of baklava each alongside mint tea.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/0ea9d1424e0a.jpg\")
It was a bad meal made barrable by the company and the wine. I have always wanted to like this chain but they are not a patch on London's long standing Sofra chain.
\nUnfortunately Comptoir Libanais is as much of a disaster zone as its country of origin. This is a place to avoid - take a stroll up London Road to Lebanese Flavours, or jump on the 17 bus to Hala in Earley. Or if you want perfect kebabs travel up to our erstwhile 'town of culture' and go to our restaurant of the year, Yaprak in Woodley.
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "I have a soft spot for Lebanon despite never having been there. Many of my best friend's best friends when I first moved to London after uni were Lebanese. They were rich and glamorous and kind and funny. Some became my friends and their stories of a perfect country at the end of the Mediterranean with its castles and coast and wine and olive groves and beaches and mountains was alluring.\nI longed to visit, but the country was then, and remains, in a perpetual state of war.\u00a0 There aren't enough bits and bytes left on my computer to explain why, but suffice to say that the Brits screwed up Palestine and the French screwed up Lebanon.\nA couple of weeks previously my wife and I booked the trip of a lifetime to Jordan and Egypt with some of her Dubai based colleagues. My wife has always wanted to visit Petra and the Pyramids (I have seen both before meeting her). On a previous business trip to Israel she had booked and paid for the trip into Jordan before fate and the Israeli military intervened.\nThese are the risks you take in engaging at all with this very broken part of the world.\nBut it seemed that the least you can do is support the Lebanese in any way you can as they are caught between the murderous Hezbollah and the genocidal Israeli-US military machine.\nLebanon is known for its cuisine and its wine, so no further excuse was needed as G and I headed through the gloom to Oracle Riverside once more.\nFor a town with so many ethnic restaurants from Romanian to Afghan, from Polish to Cuban (for now) we have some glaring gaps. There is no tapas, no Mexican, only C\u00f4te as a 'French' restaurants. No Spanish or Portuguese (any more). No Turkish, no Syrian nor Moroccan. There is no Israeli restaurant nor Egyptian. The Mediterranean is badly represented in Reading.\nBut we have four Lebanese restaurants - Lebanese Flavours (previously Bakery House) in London Road, Hala Lebanese on Wokingham Road, Lebanese Village in Caversham and Comptoir Libanais, which, this being Reading, is part of a chain of eighteen UK and four international restaurants.\nI had visited this branch once before and was totally underwhelmed so never bothered to revisit until now.\nWe decided to go all in with the 'Feast' which is hardly a bargain at \u00a337.50 per head.\n\nFor that you get a dish of dips - hummus, fatteh, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh salad, a couple of cheese borek and a couple of falafel with two large bouncy soft flatbread slathered in butter.\nIt was all very pleasant, but nowhere as good as the Greek Souvlaki's mixed starter.\nNow, I have a thing about falafel having lived near the Jewish quarter in Paris' Marais. (I am also hoping to revisit Felfela's in Cairo if I managed to get out there next month.) The problem with most falafel is that they are made only with chickpeas, but this makes for a dry mix. The trick is to mix the chickpeas with broad beans which makes it moister inside. These were chickpea only although did have a good mix of herbs running through them and were nice and crunchy.\nIn a vain effort to help the economy of this bedevilled nation we started with a bottle of house white from the Bekka Valley and it was a fine choice, slightly sharp with a flowery tint. Lebanon is known for its reds such as the famous Chateau Mansour, but their white wine making has come along leaps and bounds.\nAs ever, G and I were caught up in conversations about the latest developments in the tech world and his recent visit to the Florida panhandle. (Apparently tourism to Florida has fallen off a cliff leaving the 'Gulf Of America' to the Statesiders.)\nThe polite waitress came over a couple of times to ask we were ready for mains, but we weren't, which may be the precursor to how this meal went badly downhill.\nFor mains, as part of the 'Feast' we ordered and share a mixed grill and a salmon.\n\nThey were dreadful. The salmon had been cooked so long that the ends were solid and the middle was dry and nasty. The accompanying chickpeas in tomato sauce was a strange accompaniment and was also pretty horrid. Imagine baked beans made with chickpeas. Some fresh parsley may have helped, but as it stood it was a bad, paltry dish and easily the worst thing I have been served in Reading over the past decade (which is saying something).\nBy now we had moved onto the house red which is light and quite delicious. We were clearly doing much better with the booze than the food.\n\n\u00a0\nThe mixed grill was three meaty skewers with rice and salad. The lamb and chicken kofta were rubbery and totally underwhelming and the chicken taouk had dried out to be just this side of edible.\nEven the accompanying chilli and yoghurt sauces, which came in thimbles, were pretty bad.\nI don't know if this was our 'fault' for taking long over starters, but it was a dreadful meal in a town where there are fifty great places to get better grilled meat. In these difficult times for restaurants the heavy hand of the accountants can be seen everywhere.\nAt the end of the meal we were served a small piece of baklava each alongside mint tea.\n\nIt was a bad meal made barrable by the company and the wine. I have always wanted to like this chain but they are not a patch on London's long standing Sofra chain.\nUnfortunately Comptoir Libanais is as much of a disaster zone as its country of origin. This is a place to avoid - take a stroll up London Road to Lebanese Flavours, or jump on the 17 bus to Hala in Earley. Or if you want perfect kebabs travel up to our erstwhile 'town of culture' and go to our restaurant of the year, Yaprak in Woodley.\n\u00a0", "summary": "Despite a long-held fascination with Lebanon, a recent dining experience in Reading fell short. Explore the highs and lows of Lebanese cuisine, from falafel to a disastrous mixed grill.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T09:49:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:30:57.548977+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/98273bfb.webp", "tags": [ "Food Blog" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/98273bfb.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Eating Out - Comptoir Libanais", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1261, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "I have a soft spot for Lebanon despite never having been there. Many of my best friend's best friends when I first moved to London after uni were Lebanese. They were rich and glamorous and kind and funny. Some became my friends and their stories of a perfect country at the end of the Mediterranean with its castles and coast and wine and olive groves and beaches and mountains was alluring.
\nI longed to visit, but the country was then, and remains, in a perpetual state of war.\u00a0 There aren't enough bits and bytes left on my computer to explain why, but suffice to say that the Brits screwed up Palestine and the French screwed up Lebanon.
\nA couple of weeks previously my wife and I booked the trip of a lifetime to Jordan and Egypt with some of her Dubai based colleagues. My wife has always wanted to visit Petra and the Pyramids (I have seen both before meeting her). On a previous business trip to Israel she had booked and paid for the trip into Jordan before fate and the Israeli military intervened.
\nThese are the risks you take in engaging at all with this very broken part of the world.
\nBut it seemed that the least you can do is support the Lebanese in any way you can as they are caught between the murderous Hezbollah and the genocidal Israeli-US military machine.
\nLebanon is known for its cuisine and its wine, so no further excuse was needed as G and I headed through the gloom to Oracle Riverside once more.
\nFor a town with so many ethnic restaurants from Romanian to Afghan, from Polish to Cuban (for now) we have some glaring gaps. There is no tapas, no Mexican, only C\u00f4te as a 'French' restaurants. No Spanish or Portuguese (any more). No Turkish, no Syrian nor Moroccan. There is no Israeli restaurant nor Egyptian. The Mediterranean is badly represented in Reading.
\nBut we have four Lebanese restaurants - Lebanese Flavours (previously Bakery House) in London Road, Hala Lebanese on Wokingham Road, Lebanese Village in Caversham and Comptoir Libanais, which, this being Reading, is part of a chain of eighteen UK and four international restaurants.
\nI had visited this branch once before and was totally underwhelmed so never bothered to revisit until now.
\nWe decided to go all in with the 'Feast' which is hardly a bargain at \u00a337.50 per head.
\n
For that you get a dish of dips - hummus, fatteh, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh salad, a couple of cheese borek and a couple of falafel with two large bouncy soft flatbread slathered in butter.
\nIt was all very pleasant, but nowhere as good as the Greek Souvlaki's mixed starter.
\nNow, I have a thing about falafel having lived near the Jewish quarter in Paris' Marais. (I am also hoping to revisit Felfela's in Cairo if I managed to get out there next month.) The problem with most falafel is that they are made only with chickpeas, but this makes for a dry mix. The trick is to mix the chickpeas with broad beans which makes it moister inside. These were chickpea only although did have a good mix of herbs running through them and were nice and crunchy.
\nIn a vain effort to help the economy of this bedevilled nation we started with a bottle of house white from the Bekka Valley and it was a fine choice, slightly sharp with a flowery tint. Lebanon is known for its reds such as the famous Chateau Mansour, but their white wine making has come along leaps and bounds.
\nAs ever, G and I were caught up in conversations about the latest developments in the tech world and his recent visit to the Florida panhandle. (Apparently tourism to Florida has fallen off a cliff leaving the 'Gulf Of America' to the Statesiders.)
\nThe polite waitress came over a couple of times to ask we were ready for mains, but we weren't, which may be the precursor to how this meal went badly downhill.
\nFor mains, as part of the 'Feast' we ordered and share a mixed grill and a salmon.
\n
They were dreadful. The salmon had been cooked so long that the ends were solid and the middle was dry and nasty. The accompanying chickpeas in tomato sauce was a strange accompaniment and was also pretty horrid. Imagine baked beans made with chickpeas. Some fresh parsley may have helped, but as it stood it was a bad, paltry dish and easily the worst thing I have been served in Reading over the past decade (which is saying something).
\nBy now we had moved onto the house red which is light and quite delicious. We were clearly doing much better with the booze than the food.
\n
\u00a0
\nThe mixed grill was three meaty skewers with rice and salad. The lamb and chicken kofta were rubbery and totally underwhelming and the chicken taouk had dried out to be just this side of edible.
\nEven the accompanying chilli and yoghurt sauces, which came in thimbles, were pretty bad.
\nI don't know if this was our 'fault' for taking long over starters, but it was a dreadful meal in a town where there are fifty great places to get better grilled meat. In these difficult times for restaurants the heavy hand of the accountants can be seen everywhere.
\nAt the end of the meal we were served a small piece of baklava each alongside mint tea.
\n
It was a bad meal made barrable by the company and the wine. I have always wanted to like this chain but they are not a patch on London's long standing Sofra chain.
\nUnfortunately Comptoir Libanais is as much of a disaster zone as its country of origin. This is a place to avoid - take a stroll up London Road to Lebanese Flavours, or jump on the 17 bus to Hala in Earley. Or if you want perfect kebabs travel up to our erstwhile 'town of culture' and go to our restaurant of the year, Yaprak in Woodley.
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Despite a long-held fascination with Lebanon, a recent dining experience in Reading fell short. Explore the highs and lows of Lebanese cuisine, from falafel to a disastrous mixed grill.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:30:57.548977+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-04-01T09:49:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Food Blog", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-comptoir-libanais/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "336", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-sculpture-trail/", "title": "The Reading Sculpture Trail", "content_html": "Statues have become one of the most visible battlegrounds in contemporary debates about history, identity, and public space. Once largely ignored—part of the architectural background of daily life—they are now being actively questioned: who they represent, why they were erected, and whether they still reflect the values of the society that surrounds them.
\r\nWalk through London and you will find an abundance of figures cast in bronze or carved in stone: mounted generals, imperial administrators, and colonial figures, many of whom are scarcely recognised by the public. Their prominence, elevated on plinths and placed in key civic locations, suggests a hierarchy of importance that feels increasingly disconnected from modern sensibilities. These are not neutral artefacts - they are deliberate statements about power, legacy, and what a nation chooses to celebrate.
\r\nThe toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol marked a turning point. What had stood for over a century as an unchallenged monument was suddenly reinterpreted through a contemporary moral lens. The act was not simply vandalism to some, nor purely justice to others—it was a signal that historical narratives are not fixed, and that public symbols can be renegotiated. Similarly, protests in Oxford colleges have highlighted how institutional spaces are also implicated in these debates, raising questions about tradition, benefaction, and moral accountability.
\r\nAt the heart of the issue is not whether history should be remembered, but how it should be represented. Statues, by their nature, are celebratory. They confer honour. As such, they are a selective version of history—one that often omits complexity, controversy, or harm. In a more pluralistic and self-critical society, there is growing discomfort with uncritical celebration of figures whose legacies are entangled with exploitation or injustice.
\r\nThis does not necessarily mean erasing the past. Rather, it opens up a broader conversation about rebalancing public memory. Should new statues be erected to reflect a wider range of contributions—scientists, reformers, artists, and those who advanced social progress? Should existing monuments be contextualised, relocated, or retained as historical artefacts rather than objects of reverence?
\r\nWhat is clear is that statues matter. They are not just relics; they are active participants in shaping how we see ourselves and our past. As society evolves, so too must the symbols that occupy its public spaces.
\r\nBeyond politics and history, statues are also a vital form of public art. They shape the visual identity of cities, provide focal points in shared spaces, and offer moments of reflection or inspiration in the flow of everyday life. A well-conceived sculpture can humanise a square, commemorate collective experience, or provoke thought in ways that written history cannot. Unlike art in galleries, public statues are encountered by everyone, consciously or not and therefore carry a unique responsibility to engage a broad audience while enriching the cultural fabric of a place. Or they may just walk on by without noticing, on their way to a train, a meeting or the shops.
\r\nYou therefore might not have noticed that Reading is rich in sculptures. This month inReading is taking a look at our public art and, as the weather improves, encouraging you to take your own look by embarking on a statue trail through our town.
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/a23a20c8b791.jpg\")
The Maiwand Lion
\r\nPerhaps the best known of all Reading’s statues, the Maiwand Lion is the centrepiece of Forbury Gardens, and is one of the world’s largest cast-iron statues. Unveiled in 1886, the monument was commissioned to honour the 328 officers and men of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot who died at the Battle of Maiwand and during the wider Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880).
\r\nThe sculpture was designed by Reading-based artist George Blackall Simonds, a member of the famous local brewing family. Simonds spent two years studying lions at London Zoo to ensure anatomical accuracy before the statue was cast in 11 tons of iron by the H. Young & Co. foundry in Pimlico. Standing at approximately 31 feet from the base to the top of the lion’s head, the figure itself measures 16 feet in length.
\r\nA persistent local urban legend suggests that Simonds died by suicide after being told the lion's gait was anatomically incorrect; however, this is demonstrably false. Simonds lived for many years after the unveiling, and he purposely depicted the lion in a \"stand-at-bay\" posture. Furthermore, a lion’s walk is \"pacing\" (moving both legs on one side simultaneously), which Simonds correctly captured. The names of the fallen soldiers are inscribed on bronze plaques around the plinth, which was significantly restored in 2024 to preserve the masonry and metalwork.
\r\nOf course, Reading has its statues commemorating historical figures.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/c72797eb6e01.jpg\")
The Executioner
\r\nThe Executioner (also known as the Robed Figure) is a bronze work by the renowned British artist Dame Elisabeth Frink, installed in the old Abbey quadrangle in 1988. Positioned within the sunken garden of Abbot’s Walk, the sculpture stands in the shadow of the Reading Abbey ruins and the perimeter of the former Reading Gaol. This piece is a cast of the central figure from Frink’s 1986 Dorset Martyrs memorial in Dorchester. While the original group included those being led to their deaths, the Reading installation features only the lone, monumental figure of the executioner, draped in heavy, anonymous robes that evoke an atmosphere of solemnity and judgment.
\r\nThe placement of the sculpture is deeply symbolic given its proximity to the site where Abbot Hugh Faringdon, the last Abbot of Reading, was executed for high treason in 1539 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The figure’s imposing, static presence serves as a personification of state-sanctioned punishment and the impersonal nature of death, reflecting the grim history of the nearby Victorian prison. Unlike more dynamic contemporary works in the town, The Executioner acts as a quiet, sombre site for reflection, bridging the gap between the medieval martyrdom of the Abbey’s past and the modern heritage of the Abbey Quarter.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/fd85835cba0d.jpg\")
Interpretation of Ruins
\r\nAdjacent to the historic ruins of Reading Abbey at the junction of Abbey Square and Abbey Street, the abstract bronze sculpture by Danish artist Jens-Flemming Sørensen provides a modern artistic dialogue with the town's medieval past. Installed in 2000 on a raised green mound, the work is often referred to as an Interpretation of Ruins, though it remains officially untitled. The sculpture features smooth, polished spherical forms emerging from or resting upon rugged, fractured blocks of bronze, mimicking the weathered flint and mortar of the neighbouring Reading Abbey walls.
\r\nThis juxtaposition of refined geometry and raw, decaying textures reflects the process of architectural erosion and the passage of time. By placing a contemporary abstract piece so close to the physical remains of the 12th-century monastery, Sørensen encourages viewers to perceive the ruins not merely as static historical debris, but as a living part of the urban landscape. The sculpture serves as a visual bridge in the Abbey Quarter, mirroring the organic shapes of the ancient stonework while maintaining a distinctively modern aesthetic.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/2e6898aa64aa.jpg\")
Oscar Wilde Memorial
\r\nThe Oscar Wilde Memorial, a set of gates designed by artist Bruce Williams and unveiled in 2000, is located on Chestnut Walk. The installation is strategically positioned adjacent to the perimeter wall of Reading Gaol, the correctional facility where Wilde was incarcerated for \"gross indecency\" between 1895 and 1897.
\r\nThe work consists of a series of double-sided integrated panels and gates made of stainless steel and glass. Williams used a photo-etching process to display images of Wilde alongside excerpts from his final poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and his long letter, De Profundis, both of which were inspired by his time in the prison. The memorial was commissioned to mark the centenary of Wilde’s death and serves as a permanent historical marker of his connection to the town.
\r\nSimeon Obelisk
\r\nThe Simeon Obelisk, designed by sculptor Robert Spiller, is a prominent Portland stone monument located at the junction of Friar Street and Station Road in Reading. Commissioned in 1804 by Edward Simeon, a Director of the Bank of England and brother to Reading’s then-MP John Simeon, the obelisk was originally intended to serve as a functional decorative landmark.
\r\nThe structure features a triangular base supporting a tall, tapered shaft, which originally housed gas lamps on its three sides—marking it as one of the earliest examples of public gas lighting in the town. Although the lamps were later removed and replaced with decorative carvings, the monument remains in its original location. It serves as a historical marker of 19th-century civic philanthropy and the Simeon family's influence on the urban development of Reading during the Georgian era.
\r\nGuardian of the Gate of Sparta
\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was unveiled in 1995 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the South Street Arts Centre in Reading. The piece is situated outside the centre's entrance and was carved from Portland stone salvaged from the demolition of the old Knightsbridge Barracks in London.
\r\nThe sculpture depicts a stylized, helmeted warrior figure, referencing the ancient Spartan themes of protection and endurance. Stanford, who served as the Keeper of Art at Reading Museum for many years, designed the work to reflect the Arts Centre’s role as a \"stronghold\" for the local creative community. The use of reclaimed military stone provides a material link between the site's history and its modern function as a public cultural space.
\r\nRequiem
\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was erected in 1990 to commemorate the residents of Reading who volunteered for the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The monument is carved from Portland stone and is situated on Dusseldorf Way, positioned outside the Reading Borough Council's Civic Offices.
\r\nThe sculpture features a stylised, grieving figure draped in heavy robes, designed to evoke a sense of solemnity and loss rather than a celebration of military combat. It was commissioned by the Reading Spanish Civil War Memorial Committee to honour the local individuals who fought against fascism, as well as those who provided humanitarian aid to Spanish refugees. The choice of material and its central civic location ensure it serves as a permanent public reminder of the town’s historical commitment to international solidarity.
\r\nCrystal Beacon
\r\nPositioned above a public viewing gallery over the multi-storey car part on the south side of the Kennet at The Oracle, this was designed by John Gingell as part of Hammerson (the developer of the Oracle)'s desire to build contemporary art into the actual fabric of the architecture in 1999. The Oracle used to be a Victorian warehouse.
\r\nMade of translucent crystal, the work stands as a beacon for the Oracle and by night it can be illuminated by a state of the art computerised light programme.
Somewhat ironically, it is best seen by car from the IDR flyover beside the Oracle car park.
Girl and The Swan
\r\nInstalled against a brick wall of Arundell House in King's Road in 1984, Girl and The Swan by Lorne McKean is a bronze depicting a young girl reaching up to touch a swan flying overhead.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/d9659adcf8a0.jpg\")
The Compleat Angler
\r\nChocolate Island was where the massive Huntley & Palmer biscuit factory stored its chocolate – presumably to prevent pilfering from staff. The pubs further down the Kennet had names like the Jolly Angler and the Fisherman’s Cottage, highlighting the popularity of fishing as a working class pastime on the town’s canal and rivers. The model for this work by Kevin Atherton was keen angler and retired postman, Keith Cooper, who was aged 71 when the work was unveiled 24th November 1992.
\r\nAngels
\r\nLocated outside the west end of St Laurence Church on either side of the main door. The two angels are attributed to James Marshall. They are made of roman cement and were installed in 1806.
\r\n‘George’
\r\nThis statue was sculpted by William Bloye, F.R.B.S., high on the front wall of what was then known as Reading Technical College on King's Road. As Birmingham's unofficial civic sculptor Bloye worked on virtually all public commissions including libraries, hospitals and the University. He often carved bas-relief plaques, typically for public houses in Birmingham and one of his most famed works is the statue of 'Pan' at Aston Hall in Birmingham.
\r\nGeorge Palmer
\r\nThe bronze statue of George Palmer, of Huntley & Palmer fame stands in Palmer Park. The statue, by George Blackall Simonds, was unveiled on 4 November 1891, though it was originally in Broad Street and only later moved to Palmer Park. The statue was moved in 1930 to its current location in its namesake park and has been classed Grade II Listed monument since 14 December 1978.
\r\n![](\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Broad_Street,_Reading,_unveiling_of_the_statue_of_George_Palmer,_1891.jpg\")
Unveiling of the statue in Board Street on 4 November 1891
\r\nThe statue was given by the towns-folk of Reading, \"in recognition of his services and gifts to the town\", and unveiled 4 November 1891, the same day of the opening of the 49 acre Palmer Park.[7] Four thousand subscribed to the cost of the statue. The opening of the park and the unveiling of the statue have been described as \"the biggest celebration Reading had ever seen.
\r\nThe Gateway
Created by sculptor Clare Bigger in 2000, is a large-scale stainless steel installation located at the entrance of the Reading International Business Park. Standing at approximately 6 meters high, the sculpture was commissioned to serve as a focal point for the corporate development near the M4 motorway.
Consistent with Bigger's signature style, which focuses on the mechanics of movement and athleticism, the piece depicts two dynamic, stylized figures that arch toward one another to form a symbolic archway or \"gateway.\" The structure is composed of brushed stainless steel ribbons that allow wind and light to pass through, emphasizing a sense of lightness and fluidity despite its significant physical scale. It serves as both a navigational landmark and a representation of the modern, kinetic energy associated with the business park.
\r\nThe Hexham Road Tree
\r\nCreated by artist Bhajan Hunjan in 1998, is a site-specific floor mosaic located at the entrance of the Hexham Road Community Centre in Reading. The work was commissioned as part of a wider regeneration project for the estate to create a welcoming and culturally inclusive landmark for the local neighbourhood.
\r\nThe piece features a central tree motif executed in colourful inlaid tiles and brickwork, symbolizing growth, community roots, and the diversity of the area's residents. Hunjan, known for her focus on patterns and geometry, integrated the design directly into the paving to ensure the art remains a functional part of the public walkway. The \"tree\" serves as a metaphorical gathering point, reflecting the building's role as a hub for social and educational activities.
\r\nHarrison Memorial
\r\nErected 1887 and made of Portland stone the memorial is in St Mary's churchyard adjacent to St Mary Butts. The architect was Spencer Slingsby Stallwood. It records the many benefactions of Isaac Harrinson who spent a lot of his money clearing the slums in Reading and particularly those in St Mary Butts. He died a few years after the memorial was erected.
\r\nRichard Valpy
\r\nWithin the exterior niche of St Laurence’s Church, overlooking Reading’s historic Town Hall Square, stands a commemorative statue of Richard Valpy by the sculptor Samuel Nixon. Valpy was a prominent educationalist and the long-serving headmaster of Reading School from 1781 to 1830, credited with transforming the institution into one of the leading schools in the country during the 19th century.
\r\nThe statue, carved in a traditional neoclassical style, depicts Valpy in his academic robes, holding a book to signify his scholarly contributions and his influential work as a classicist. Its placement at St Laurence’s is historically significant, as the church served as the primary place of worship for the school’s staff and pupils for centuries. As a public monument, it honours Valpy's fifty-year tenure and his lasting impact on the intellectual and civic life of Reading.
\r\nCartwheeling Boys
\r\nThe Cartwheeling Boys is a distinctive aluminium sculpture by artist Brian Slack, cast at the Brunel University Department of Metallurgy. It was erected in 1981 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the twinning between Reading and Düsseldorf. The piece depicts three figures in various stages of a cartwheel, a traditional symbol of joy in Düsseldorf that dates back to a 17th-century legend involving a loose carriage wheel. Originally located on a wall at San Francisco Libre Walk near the old Civic Centre, the sculpture was famously toppled by Storm Eunice in 2022. Following a period of restoration using modern computer modelling and traditional casting, it was reinstalled in February 2026 on the façade of the new Civic Offices at the corner of Bridge Street and Fobney Street.
\r\nLaying the Reading Abbey Foundation
\r\nA Corshill stone panel on the facade of the Old Town Hall, commemorating Henry I who was the founder of Reading Abbey and who was buried before the high altar there. It is located on the frieze between the main doors to the Museum and Old Town Hall and was installed in 1888 after the building was opened in 1882.
\r\nThe architect was Thomas Lainson and the sculptor Charles Pinker. The scene depicts Henry laying the foundation stone for Reading Abbey.
\r\nReading Piece
\r\nThe sculpture located outside the former Visa International HQ was commissioned by the company who previously occupied this building, Heron Corporation in 1982. Created by the artist Peter Sainty, the piece is a large-scale abstract work fashioned from welded steel.
\r\nThe sculpture's design is characterized by its sharp, geometric lines and industrial aesthetic, reflecting the modern architectural style of the business park developments emerging in Reading during the early 1980s. Sainty, an artist known for his structural and minimalist approach, intended the work to complement the corporate environment while providing a bold visual anchor for the site's entrance. The use of steel mirrors the technological and forward-thinking nature of the companies housed within the complex at the time of its installation.
\r\n1st Marquess of Reading
\r\nThe statue of 1st Marquess of Reading (Rufus Isaacs 1860-1935) by Charles Sargeant Jagger is located in the King George V Memorial Gardens, Eldon Square and was moved to its current location in 1971 having been repatriated to Reading in 1961 from Delhi, where it was originally erected. Isaacs was the Viceroy and Governor General of India from 1921 to 1925.
\r\nStatue of Queen Victoria
\r\nStanding outside Reading Town Hall, this statue commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Also sculpted by George Blackall Simonds, it reflects the town's respect and admiration for the monarch.
\r\nStatue of King Edward VII
\r\nLocated in Station Square, this statue pays tribute to King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910. It serves as a reminder of the monarch's influence during a transformative period in British history.
\r\nThe Trooper Potts VC Memorial
\r\nLocated outside the Reading Crown Court near the entrance to Forbury Gardens, this is a bronze statue group by sculptor Tom Murphy. Unveiled on October 4, 2015, the monument commemorates Frederick Owen Potts, Reading’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross, and his comrade Arthur Andrews.
\r\nThe sculpture depicts a life-sized scene from the Battle of Scimitar Hill during the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. After both men were wounded by machine-gun fire, Potts refused to abandon Andrews, who was unable to walk. Over a period of 48 hours, while under constant enemy fire and suffering from dehydration, Potts used a discarded entrenching shovel as a makeshift sledge to drag Andrews over 600 yards to the safety of the British lines. This feat earned Potts the nickname \"The Hero with the Shovel.\"
\r\nThe memorial was commissioned by the Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust and serves a dual purpose. In addition to honouring Potts and Andrews, the plinth features a Roll of Honour listing the names of 426 men from the Berkshire Yeomanry who lost their lives in the Boer War and the two World Wars. The project was officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire and television presenter Chris Tarrant to mark the centenary of the act of bravery.
\r\nHistorically, some have felt that the University of Reading shared a similar lack of prominent public monuments. However, this is a narrative currently being rewritten. The University has recently launched a major Public Art Strategy, including a £200,000 endowment for new commissions. Works like the \"Floating Garden\" by Ben Cain and Tina Gverovi\u0107 and the upcoming \"Missing Yew\"—an eco-sculpture designed by Petre Nikoloski to fuse living trees with stone—signal a shift toward art that is living, communal, and contemporary.
\r\nThe Royal Berkshire Hospital also has sculptures . It houses a significant permanent art installation titled \"The Gift of Life\", which was unveiled in 2015. Located in the main entrance reception area, the piece is a large-scale wall installation designed by the Hospital Art Studio to serve as a memorial to organ and tissue donors.
\r\nThe artwork consists of hundreds of 3D butterflies that span an entire wall, arranged in a way that their collective silhouette forms the shape of a large heart. The butterflies were chosen as a symbol of transformation and \"rebirth,\" and the five specific species depicted are all indigenous to the Berkshire Downs. To create a sense of movement, some of the smaller butterflies are applied directly to the wall surface, while the larger ones are mounted on spacers to appear as if they are fluttering into the room.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/cebbe492ffb1.jpg\")
Tucked away in the tranquil Englefield Garden deep within the hospital is a sculpture known as \"The Diver\" stands as a striking example of contemporary kinetic art. Created by the renowned sculptor Sophie Dickens—the great-great-granddaughter of novelist Charles Dickens—the piece was installed in 2018 as the centrepiece of a therapeutic sanctuary dedicated to the memory of Sir William Benyon (1930–2014), a former Member of Parliament and a significant benefactor to the hospital.
\r\nThe work is a multi-part bronze installation that captures a single male figure in the various stages of a high dive or somersault. Rather than a static, singular statue, Dickens used five distinct figures to create a \"stop-motion\" effect, leading the eye in a fluid, circular arc toward the surface of the garden's pond. The sculpture is celebrated for its raw, muscular energy; the figures are constructed from individual wooden blocks that were later cast in bronze, giving the work a textured, skeletal appearance that emphasizes the mechanics of the human body in motion.
\r\nThe placement of \"The Diver\" within the Sir William Benyon Memorial Garden was a deliberate choice by the garden’s designer, Jennifer Benyon. Designed to provide a \"haven of peace\" for patients, staff, and grieving families, the garden uses the sculpture’s dynamic energy to contrast with the stillness of the water. In a clinical environment, the diver’s bold plunge serves as a powerful metaphor for courage, the transition between states of being, and the restorative power of movement.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/04be18df3244.jpg\")
The deployment of statues in Reading continues. The multi-billion pound Station Hill development, acting as a new gateway between Reading Station and the town centre, features a £1.5 million public art trail unveiled between 2024 and 2025. These works were curated by Futurecity to reflect Reading’s industrial, botanical, and social history through a modern, high-tech lens.
\r\nSeed
\r\nDesigned by Rachael Champion and Jonathan Trayte, Seed is a five-metre-tall sculpture located in the central piazza. It features a vibrant orange silhouette of a pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) seed, a direct tribute to the horticultural legacy of Suttons Seeds, which was once headquartered in Reading. The sculpture sits on a cylindrical terrazzo plinth made from recycled brick and glass, embedded with nine bronze reliefs. These reliefs depict magnified seed textures captured via scanning electron microscopy at the Natural History Museum, selected in collaboration with the University of Reading's herbarium.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/8c70f941c5a1.jpg\")
PIVOTAL
\r\nStanding 14 metres high outside the ONE Station Hill office building, PIVOTAL is a kinetic sculpture by the design studio NEON (Mark Nixon and Viliina Koivisto). It consists of 73 vertical fins that rotate independently in the wind, mimicking the movement of a flag or a shifting skyline. At night, the installation is transformed by an internal LED system that cycles through animated light sequences, making it a permanent landmark for the 20 million passengers who pass through the station annually.
\r\nThe Station Hill Murals
\r\nTwo massive, backlit murals created by artist Kev Munday and sculptor Stuart Melrose anchor the pedestrian routes. These pieces combine a distinctive \"pop-art\" illustrative style with advanced material science, using laser-cut aluminium and HIMACS solid surface panels.
\r\nRoyals, Residents & a Rock Festival: Located near the station underpass, this 51-metre-long mural features a \"who’s who\" of Reading, including Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais, and Marianne Faithfull, alongside landmarks like the Hexagon Theatre.
\r\nRivers, Ruins & Regency: Positioned at the Friars Walk end of the development, this piece focuses on historical figures such as King Henry I and Mary Russell Mitford, alongside references to Huntley & Palmers and the Abbey.
\r\nBoth murals are programmed with thousands of LEDs that change colour and \"wink\" at passersby, with the lighting sequences updated throughout the year to mark local festivals and milestones.
\r\n", "content_text": "Statues have become one of the most visible battlegrounds in contemporary debates about history, identity, and public space. Once largely ignored—part of the architectural background of daily life—they are now being actively questioned: who they represent, why they were erected, and whether they still reflect the values of the society that surrounds them.\r\nWalk through London and you will find an abundance of figures cast in bronze or carved in stone: mounted generals, imperial administrators, and colonial figures, many of whom are scarcely recognised by the public. Their prominence, elevated on plinths and placed in key civic locations, suggests a hierarchy of importance that feels increasingly disconnected from modern sensibilities. These are not neutral artefacts - they are deliberate statements about power, legacy, and what a nation chooses to celebrate.\r\nThe toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol marked a turning point. What had stood for over a century as an unchallenged monument was suddenly reinterpreted through a contemporary moral lens. The act was not simply vandalism to some, nor purely justice to others—it was a signal that historical narratives are not fixed, and that public symbols can be renegotiated. Similarly, protests in Oxford colleges have highlighted how institutional spaces are also implicated in these debates, raising questions about tradition, benefaction, and moral accountability.\r\nAt the heart of the issue is not whether history should be remembered, but how it should be represented. Statues, by their nature, are celebratory. They confer honour. As such, they are a selective version of history—one that often omits complexity, controversy, or harm. In a more pluralistic and self-critical society, there is growing discomfort with uncritical celebration of figures whose legacies are entangled with exploitation or injustice.\r\nThis does not necessarily mean erasing the past. Rather, it opens up a broader conversation about rebalancing public memory. Should new statues be erected to reflect a wider range of contributions—scientists, reformers, artists, and those who advanced social progress? Should existing monuments be contextualised, relocated, or retained as historical artefacts rather than objects of reverence?\r\nWhat is clear is that statues matter. They are not just relics; they are active participants in shaping how we see ourselves and our past. As society evolves, so too must the symbols that occupy its public spaces.\r\nBeyond politics and history, statues are also a vital form of public art. They shape the visual identity of cities, provide focal points in shared spaces, and offer moments of reflection or inspiration in the flow of everyday life. A well-conceived sculpture can humanise a square, commemorate collective experience, or provoke thought in ways that written history cannot. Unlike art in galleries, public statues are encountered by everyone, consciously or not and therefore carry a unique responsibility to engage a broad audience while enriching the cultural fabric of a place. Or they may just walk on by without noticing, on their way to a train, a meeting or the shops.\r\nYou therefore might not have noticed that Reading is rich in sculptures. This month inReading is taking a look at our public art and, as the weather improves, encouraging you to take your own look by embarking on a statue trail through our town.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nThe Maiwand Lion\r\nPerhaps the best known of all Reading’s statues, the Maiwand Lion is the centrepiece of Forbury Gardens, and is one of the world’s largest cast-iron statues. Unveiled in 1886, the monument was commissioned to honour the 328 officers and men of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot who died at the Battle of Maiwand and during the wider Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880).\r\nThe sculpture was designed by Reading-based artist George Blackall Simonds, a member of the famous local brewing family. Simonds spent two years studying lions at London Zoo to ensure anatomical accuracy before the statue was cast in 11 tons of iron by the H. Young & Co. foundry in Pimlico. Standing at approximately 31 feet from the base to the top of the lion’s head, the figure itself measures 16 feet in length.\r\nA persistent local urban legend suggests that Simonds died by suicide after being told the lion's gait was anatomically incorrect; however, this is demonstrably false. Simonds lived for many years after the unveiling, and he purposely depicted the lion in a \"stand-at-bay\" posture. Furthermore, a lion’s walk is \"pacing\" (moving both legs on one side simultaneously), which Simonds correctly captured. The names of the fallen soldiers are inscribed on bronze plaques around the plinth, which was significantly restored in 2024 to preserve the masonry and metalwork.\r\nOf course, Reading has its statues commemorating historical figures.\r\n\r\nThe Executioner\r\nThe Executioner (also known as the Robed Figure) is a bronze work by the renowned British artist Dame Elisabeth Frink, installed in the old Abbey quadrangle in 1988. Positioned within the sunken garden of Abbot’s Walk, the sculpture stands in the shadow of the Reading Abbey ruins and the perimeter of the former Reading Gaol. This piece is a cast of the central figure from Frink’s 1986 Dorset Martyrs memorial in Dorchester. While the original group included those being led to their deaths, the Reading installation features only the lone, monumental figure of the executioner, draped in heavy, anonymous robes that evoke an atmosphere of solemnity and judgment.\r\nThe placement of the sculpture is deeply symbolic given its proximity to the site where Abbot Hugh Faringdon, the last Abbot of Reading, was executed for high treason in 1539 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The figure’s imposing, static presence serves as a personification of state-sanctioned punishment and the impersonal nature of death, reflecting the grim history of the nearby Victorian prison. Unlike more dynamic contemporary works in the town, The Executioner acts as a quiet, sombre site for reflection, bridging the gap between the medieval martyrdom of the Abbey’s past and the modern heritage of the Abbey Quarter.\r\n\r\nInterpretation of Ruins\r\nAdjacent to the historic ruins of Reading Abbey at the junction of Abbey Square and Abbey Street, the abstract bronze sculpture by Danish artist Jens-Flemming Sørensen provides a modern artistic dialogue with the town's medieval past. Installed in 2000 on a raised green mound, the work is often referred to as an Interpretation of Ruins, though it remains officially untitled. The sculpture features smooth, polished spherical forms emerging from or resting upon rugged, fractured blocks of bronze, mimicking the weathered flint and mortar of the neighbouring Reading Abbey walls.\r\nThis juxtaposition of refined geometry and raw, decaying textures reflects the process of architectural erosion and the passage of time. By placing a contemporary abstract piece so close to the physical remains of the 12th-century monastery, Sørensen encourages viewers to perceive the ruins not merely as static historical debris, but as a living part of the urban landscape. The sculpture serves as a visual bridge in the Abbey Quarter, mirroring the organic shapes of the ancient stonework while maintaining a distinctively modern aesthetic.\r\n\r\nOscar Wilde Memorial\r\nThe Oscar Wilde Memorial, a set of gates designed by artist Bruce Williams and unveiled in 2000, is located on Chestnut Walk. The installation is strategically positioned adjacent to the perimeter wall of Reading Gaol, the correctional facility where Wilde was incarcerated for \"gross indecency\" between 1895 and 1897.\r\nThe work consists of a series of double-sided integrated panels and gates made of stainless steel and glass. Williams used a photo-etching process to display images of Wilde alongside excerpts from his final poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and his long letter, De Profundis, both of which were inspired by his time in the prison. The memorial was commissioned to mark the centenary of Wilde’s death and serves as a permanent historical marker of his connection to the town.\r\nSimeon Obelisk\r\nThe Simeon Obelisk, designed by sculptor Robert Spiller, is a prominent Portland stone monument located at the junction of Friar Street and Station Road in Reading. Commissioned in 1804 by Edward Simeon, a Director of the Bank of England and brother to Reading’s then-MP John Simeon, the obelisk was originally intended to serve as a functional decorative landmark.\r\nThe structure features a triangular base supporting a tall, tapered shaft, which originally housed gas lamps on its three sides—marking it as one of the earliest examples of public gas lighting in the town. Although the lamps were later removed and replaced with decorative carvings, the monument remains in its original location. It serves as a historical marker of 19th-century civic philanthropy and the Simeon family's influence on the urban development of Reading during the Georgian era.\r\nGuardian of the Gate of Sparta\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was unveiled in 1995 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the South Street Arts Centre in Reading. The piece is situated outside the centre's entrance and was carved from Portland stone salvaged from the demolition of the old Knightsbridge Barracks in London.\r\nThe sculpture depicts a stylized, helmeted warrior figure, referencing the ancient Spartan themes of protection and endurance. Stanford, who served as the Keeper of Art at Reading Museum for many years, designed the work to reflect the Arts Centre’s role as a \"stronghold\" for the local creative community. The use of reclaimed military stone provides a material link between the site's history and its modern function as a public cultural space.\r\nRequiem\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was erected in 1990 to commemorate the residents of Reading who volunteered for the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The monument is carved from Portland stone and is situated on Dusseldorf Way, positioned outside the Reading Borough Council's Civic Offices.\r\nThe sculpture features a stylised, grieving figure draped in heavy robes, designed to evoke a sense of solemnity and loss rather than a celebration of military combat. It was commissioned by the Reading Spanish Civil War Memorial Committee to honour the local individuals who fought against fascism, as well as those who provided humanitarian aid to Spanish refugees. The choice of material and its central civic location ensure it serves as a permanent public reminder of the town’s historical commitment to international solidarity.\r\nCrystal Beacon\r\nPositioned above a public viewing gallery over the multi-storey car part on the south side of the Kennet at The Oracle, this was designed by John Gingell as part of Hammerson (the developer of the Oracle)'s desire to build contemporary art into the actual fabric of the architecture in 1999. The Oracle used to be a Victorian warehouse.\r\nMade of translucent crystal, the work stands as a beacon for the Oracle and by night it can be illuminated by a state of the art computerised light programme.Somewhat ironically, it is best seen by car from the IDR flyover beside the Oracle car park.\r\nGirl and The Swan\r\nInstalled against a brick wall of Arundell House in King's Road in 1984, Girl and The Swan by Lorne McKean is a bronze depicting a young girl reaching up to touch a swan flying overhead.\r\n\r\nThe Compleat Angler\r\nChocolate Island was where the massive Huntley & Palmer biscuit factory stored its chocolate – presumably to prevent pilfering from staff. The pubs further down the Kennet had names like the Jolly Angler and the Fisherman’s Cottage, highlighting the popularity of fishing as a working class pastime on the town’s canal and rivers. The model for this work by Kevin Atherton was keen angler and retired postman, Keith Cooper, who was aged 71 when the work was unveiled 24th November 1992.\r\nAngels\r\nLocated outside the west end of St Laurence Church on either side of the main door. The two angels are attributed to James Marshall. They are made of roman cement and were installed in 1806.\r\n‘George’\r\nThis statue was sculpted by William Bloye, F.R.B.S., high on the front wall of what was then known as Reading Technical College on King's Road. As Birmingham's unofficial civic sculptor Bloye worked on virtually all public commissions including libraries, hospitals and the University. He often carved bas-relief plaques, typically for public houses in Birmingham and one of his most famed works is the statue of 'Pan' at Aston Hall in Birmingham. \r\nGeorge Palmer\r\nThe bronze statue of George Palmer, of Huntley & Palmer fame stands in Palmer Park. The statue, by George Blackall Simonds, was unveiled on 4 November 1891, though it was originally in Broad Street and only later moved to Palmer Park. The statue was moved in 1930 to its current location in its namesake park and has been classed Grade II Listed monument since 14 December 1978.\r\n\r\nUnveiling of the statue in Board Street on 4 November 1891\r\nThe statue was given by the towns-folk of Reading, \"in recognition of his services and gifts to the town\", and unveiled 4 November 1891, the same day of the opening of the 49 acre Palmer Park.[7] Four thousand subscribed to the cost of the statue. The opening of the park and the unveiling of the statue have been described as \"the biggest celebration Reading had ever seen.\r\nThe GatewayCreated by sculptor Clare Bigger in 2000, is a large-scale stainless steel installation located at the entrance of the Reading International Business Park. Standing at approximately 6 meters high, the sculpture was commissioned to serve as a focal point for the corporate development near the M4 motorway.\r\nConsistent with Bigger's signature style, which focuses on the mechanics of movement and athleticism, the piece depicts two dynamic, stylized figures that arch toward one another to form a symbolic archway or \"gateway.\" The structure is composed of brushed stainless steel ribbons that allow wind and light to pass through, emphasizing a sense of lightness and fluidity despite its significant physical scale. It serves as both a navigational landmark and a representation of the modern, kinetic energy associated with the business park.\r\nThe Hexham Road Tree\r\nCreated by artist Bhajan Hunjan in 1998, is a site-specific floor mosaic located at the entrance of the Hexham Road Community Centre in Reading. The work was commissioned as part of a wider regeneration project for the estate to create a welcoming and culturally inclusive landmark for the local neighbourhood.\r\nThe piece features a central tree motif executed in colourful inlaid tiles and brickwork, symbolizing growth, community roots, and the diversity of the area's residents. Hunjan, known for her focus on patterns and geometry, integrated the design directly into the paving to ensure the art remains a functional part of the public walkway. The \"tree\" serves as a metaphorical gathering point, reflecting the building's role as a hub for social and educational activities.\r\nHarrison Memorial\r\nErected 1887 and made of Portland stone the memorial is in St Mary's churchyard adjacent to St Mary Butts. The architect was Spencer Slingsby Stallwood. It records the many benefactions of Isaac Harrinson who spent a lot of his money clearing the slums in Reading and particularly those in St Mary Butts. He died a few years after the memorial was erected. \r\nRichard Valpy\r\nWithin the exterior niche of St Laurence’s Church, overlooking Reading’s historic Town Hall Square, stands a commemorative statue of Richard Valpy by the sculptor Samuel Nixon. Valpy was a prominent educationalist and the long-serving headmaster of Reading School from 1781 to 1830, credited with transforming the institution into one of the leading schools in the country during the 19th century.\r\nThe statue, carved in a traditional neoclassical style, depicts Valpy in his academic robes, holding a book to signify his scholarly contributions and his influential work as a classicist. Its placement at St Laurence’s is historically significant, as the church served as the primary place of worship for the school’s staff and pupils for centuries. As a public monument, it honours Valpy's fifty-year tenure and his lasting impact on the intellectual and civic life of Reading.\r\nCartwheeling Boys\r\nThe Cartwheeling Boys is a distinctive aluminium sculpture by artist Brian Slack, cast at the Brunel University Department of Metallurgy. It was erected in 1981 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the twinning between Reading and Düsseldorf. The piece depicts three figures in various stages of a cartwheel, a traditional symbol of joy in Düsseldorf that dates back to a 17th-century legend involving a loose carriage wheel. Originally located on a wall at San Francisco Libre Walk near the old Civic Centre, the sculpture was famously toppled by Storm Eunice in 2022. Following a period of restoration using modern computer modelling and traditional casting, it was reinstalled in February 2026 on the façade of the new Civic Offices at the corner of Bridge Street and Fobney Street.\r\nLaying the Reading Abbey Foundation\r\nA Corshill stone panel on the facade of the Old Town Hall, commemorating Henry I who was the founder of Reading Abbey and who was buried before the high altar there. It is located on the frieze between the main doors to the Museum and Old Town Hall and was installed in 1888 after the building was opened in 1882.\r\nThe architect was Thomas Lainson and the sculptor Charles Pinker. The scene depicts Henry laying the foundation stone for Reading Abbey.\r\nReading Piece\r\nThe sculpture located outside the former Visa International HQ was commissioned by the company who previously occupied this building, Heron Corporation in 1982. Created by the artist Peter Sainty, the piece is a large-scale abstract work fashioned from welded steel.\r\nThe sculpture's design is characterized by its sharp, geometric lines and industrial aesthetic, reflecting the modern architectural style of the business park developments emerging in Reading during the early 1980s. Sainty, an artist known for his structural and minimalist approach, intended the work to complement the corporate environment while providing a bold visual anchor for the site's entrance. The use of steel mirrors the technological and forward-thinking nature of the companies housed within the complex at the time of its installation. \r\n1st Marquess of Reading\r\nThe statue of 1st Marquess of Reading (Rufus Isaacs 1860-1935) by Charles Sargeant Jagger is located in the King George V Memorial Gardens, Eldon Square and was moved to its current location in 1971 having been repatriated to Reading in 1961 from Delhi, where it was originally erected. Isaacs was the Viceroy and Governor General of India from 1921 to 1925.\r\nStatue of Queen Victoria\r\nStanding outside Reading Town Hall, this statue commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Also sculpted by George Blackall Simonds, it reflects the town's respect and admiration for the monarch.\r\nStatue of King Edward VII\r\nLocated in Station Square, this statue pays tribute to King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910. It serves as a reminder of the monarch's influence during a transformative period in British history.\r\nThe Trooper Potts VC Memorial\r\nLocated outside the Reading Crown Court near the entrance to Forbury Gardens, this is a bronze statue group by sculptor Tom Murphy. Unveiled on October 4, 2015, the monument commemorates Frederick Owen Potts, Reading’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross, and his comrade Arthur Andrews.\r\nThe sculpture depicts a life-sized scene from the Battle of Scimitar Hill during the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. After both men were wounded by machine-gun fire, Potts refused to abandon Andrews, who was unable to walk. Over a period of 48 hours, while under constant enemy fire and suffering from dehydration, Potts used a discarded entrenching shovel as a makeshift sledge to drag Andrews over 600 yards to the safety of the British lines. This feat earned Potts the nickname \"The Hero with the Shovel.\"\r\nThe memorial was commissioned by the Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust and serves a dual purpose. In addition to honouring Potts and Andrews, the plinth features a Roll of Honour listing the names of 426 men from the Berkshire Yeomanry who lost their lives in the Boer War and the two World Wars. The project was officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire and television presenter Chris Tarrant to mark the centenary of the act of bravery.\r\nHistorically, some have felt that the University of Reading shared a similar lack of prominent public monuments. However, this is a narrative currently being rewritten. The University has recently launched a major Public Art Strategy, including a £200,000 endowment for new commissions. Works like the \"Floating Garden\" by Ben Cain and Tina Gverovi\u0107 and the upcoming \"Missing Yew\"—an eco-sculpture designed by Petre Nikoloski to fuse living trees with stone—signal a shift toward art that is living, communal, and contemporary.\r\nThe Royal Berkshire Hospital also has sculptures . It houses a significant permanent art installation titled \"The Gift of Life\", which was unveiled in 2015. Located in the main entrance reception area, the piece is a large-scale wall installation designed by the Hospital Art Studio to serve as a memorial to organ and tissue donors.\r\nThe artwork consists of hundreds of 3D butterflies that span an entire wall, arranged in a way that their collective silhouette forms the shape of a large heart. The butterflies were chosen as a symbol of transformation and \"rebirth,\" and the five specific species depicted are all indigenous to the Berkshire Downs. To create a sense of movement, some of the smaller butterflies are applied directly to the wall surface, while the larger ones are mounted on spacers to appear as if they are fluttering into the room.\r\n\r\nTucked away in the tranquil Englefield Garden deep within the hospital is a sculpture known as \"The Diver\" stands as a striking example of contemporary kinetic art. Created by the renowned sculptor Sophie Dickens—the great-great-granddaughter of novelist Charles Dickens—the piece was installed in 2018 as the centrepiece of a therapeutic sanctuary dedicated to the memory of Sir William Benyon (1930–2014), a former Member of Parliament and a significant benefactor to the hospital.\r\nThe work is a multi-part bronze installation that captures a single male figure in the various stages of a high dive or somersault. Rather than a static, singular statue, Dickens used five distinct figures to create a \"stop-motion\" effect, leading the eye in a fluid, circular arc toward the surface of the garden's pond. The sculpture is celebrated for its raw, muscular energy; the figures are constructed from individual wooden blocks that were later cast in bronze, giving the work a textured, skeletal appearance that emphasizes the mechanics of the human body in motion.\r\nThe placement of \"The Diver\" within the Sir William Benyon Memorial Garden was a deliberate choice by the garden’s designer, Jennifer Benyon. Designed to provide a \"haven of peace\" for patients, staff, and grieving families, the garden uses the sculpture’s dynamic energy to contrast with the stillness of the water. In a clinical environment, the diver’s bold plunge serves as a powerful metaphor for courage, the transition between states of being, and the restorative power of movement.\r\n\r\nThe deployment of statues in Reading continues. The multi-billion pound Station Hill development, acting as a new gateway between Reading Station and the town centre, features a £1.5 million public art trail unveiled between 2024 and 2025. These works were curated by Futurecity to reflect Reading’s industrial, botanical, and social history through a modern, high-tech lens.\r\nSeed\r\nDesigned by Rachael Champion and Jonathan Trayte, Seed is a five-metre-tall sculpture located in the central piazza. It features a vibrant orange silhouette of a pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) seed, a direct tribute to the horticultural legacy of Suttons Seeds, which was once headquartered in Reading. The sculpture sits on a cylindrical terrazzo plinth made from recycled brick and glass, embedded with nine bronze reliefs. These reliefs depict magnified seed textures captured via scanning electron microscopy at the Natural History Museum, selected in collaboration with the University of Reading's herbarium.\r\n\r\nPIVOTAL\r\nStanding 14 metres high outside the ONE Station Hill office building, PIVOTAL is a kinetic sculpture by the design studio NEON (Mark Nixon and Viliina Koivisto). It consists of 73 vertical fins that rotate independently in the wind, mimicking the movement of a flag or a shifting skyline. At night, the installation is transformed by an internal LED system that cycles through animated light sequences, making it a permanent landmark for the 20 million passengers who pass through the station annually.\r\nThe Station Hill Murals\r\nTwo massive, backlit murals created by artist Kev Munday and sculptor Stuart Melrose anchor the pedestrian routes. These pieces combine a distinctive \"pop-art\" illustrative style with advanced material science, using laser-cut aluminium and HIMACS solid surface panels.\r\nRoyals, Residents & a Rock Festival: Located near the station underpass, this 51-metre-long mural features a \"who’s who\" of Reading, including Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais, and Marianne Faithfull, alongside landmarks like the Hexagon Theatre.\r\nRivers, Ruins & Regency: Positioned at the Friars Walk end of the development, this piece focuses on historical figures such as King Henry I and Mary Russell Mitford, alongside references to Huntley & Palmers and the Abbey.\r\nBoth murals are programmed with thousands of LEDs that change colour and \"wink\" at passersby, with the lighting sequences updated throughout the year to mark local festivals and milestones.\r\n ", "summary": "Statues are more than just art; they are powerful statements about history and identity. As public memory evolves, it's time to re-evaluate the monuments that shape our cities, including Reading's own rich collection.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T09:47:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-07-23T09:50:21.150271+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/07/ff62067b.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/07/ff62067b.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Reading Sculpture Trail", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 5051, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "
Statues have become one of the most visible battlegrounds in contemporary debates about history, identity, and public space. Once largely ignored—part of the architectural background of daily life—they are now being actively questioned: who they represent, why they were erected, and whether they still reflect the values of the society that surrounds them.
\r\nWalk through London and you will find an abundance of figures cast in bronze or carved in stone: mounted generals, imperial administrators, and colonial figures, many of whom are scarcely recognised by the public. Their prominence, elevated on plinths and placed in key civic locations, suggests a hierarchy of importance that feels increasingly disconnected from modern sensibilities. These are not neutral artefacts - they are deliberate statements about power, legacy, and what a nation chooses to celebrate.
\r\nThe toppling of Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol marked a turning point. What had stood for over a century as an unchallenged monument was suddenly reinterpreted through a contemporary moral lens. The act was not simply vandalism to some, nor purely justice to others—it was a signal that historical narratives are not fixed, and that public symbols can be renegotiated. Similarly, protests in Oxford colleges have highlighted how institutional spaces are also implicated in these debates, raising questions about tradition, benefaction, and moral accountability.
\r\nAt the heart of the issue is not whether history should be remembered, but how it should be represented. Statues, by their nature, are celebratory. They confer honour. As such, they are a selective version of history—one that often omits complexity, controversy, or harm. In a more pluralistic and self-critical society, there is growing discomfort with uncritical celebration of figures whose legacies are entangled with exploitation or injustice.
\r\nThis does not necessarily mean erasing the past. Rather, it opens up a broader conversation about rebalancing public memory. Should new statues be erected to reflect a wider range of contributions—scientists, reformers, artists, and those who advanced social progress? Should existing monuments be contextualised, relocated, or retained as historical artefacts rather than objects of reverence?
\r\nWhat is clear is that statues matter. They are not just relics; they are active participants in shaping how we see ourselves and our past. As society evolves, so too must the symbols that occupy its public spaces.
\r\nBeyond politics and history, statues are also a vital form of public art. They shape the visual identity of cities, provide focal points in shared spaces, and offer moments of reflection or inspiration in the flow of everyday life. A well-conceived sculpture can humanise a square, commemorate collective experience, or provoke thought in ways that written history cannot. Unlike art in galleries, public statues are encountered by everyone, consciously or not and therefore carry a unique responsibility to engage a broad audience while enriching the cultural fabric of a place. Or they may just walk on by without noticing, on their way to a train, a meeting or the shops.
\r\nYou therefore might not have noticed that Reading is rich in sculptures. This month inReading is taking a look at our public art and, as the weather improves, encouraging you to take your own look by embarking on a statue trail through our town.
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The Maiwand Lion
\r\nPerhaps the best known of all Reading’s statues, the Maiwand Lion is the centrepiece of Forbury Gardens, and is one of the world’s largest cast-iron statues. Unveiled in 1886, the monument was commissioned to honour the 328 officers and men of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot who died at the Battle of Maiwand and during the wider Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880).
\r\nThe sculpture was designed by Reading-based artist George Blackall Simonds, a member of the famous local brewing family. Simonds spent two years studying lions at London Zoo to ensure anatomical accuracy before the statue was cast in 11 tons of iron by the H. Young & Co. foundry in Pimlico. Standing at approximately 31 feet from the base to the top of the lion’s head, the figure itself measures 16 feet in length.
\r\nA persistent local urban legend suggests that Simonds died by suicide after being told the lion's gait was anatomically incorrect; however, this is demonstrably false. Simonds lived for many years after the unveiling, and he purposely depicted the lion in a \"stand-at-bay\" posture. Furthermore, a lion’s walk is \"pacing\" (moving both legs on one side simultaneously), which Simonds correctly captured. The names of the fallen soldiers are inscribed on bronze plaques around the plinth, which was significantly restored in 2024 to preserve the masonry and metalwork.
\r\nOf course, Reading has its statues commemorating historical figures.
\r\n
The Executioner
\r\nThe Executioner (also known as the Robed Figure) is a bronze work by the renowned British artist Dame Elisabeth Frink, installed in the old Abbey quadrangle in 1988. Positioned within the sunken garden of Abbot’s Walk, the sculpture stands in the shadow of the Reading Abbey ruins and the perimeter of the former Reading Gaol. This piece is a cast of the central figure from Frink’s 1986 Dorset Martyrs memorial in Dorchester. While the original group included those being led to their deaths, the Reading installation features only the lone, monumental figure of the executioner, draped in heavy, anonymous robes that evoke an atmosphere of solemnity and judgment.
\r\nThe placement of the sculpture is deeply symbolic given its proximity to the site where Abbot Hugh Faringdon, the last Abbot of Reading, was executed for high treason in 1539 following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The figure’s imposing, static presence serves as a personification of state-sanctioned punishment and the impersonal nature of death, reflecting the grim history of the nearby Victorian prison. Unlike more dynamic contemporary works in the town, The Executioner acts as a quiet, sombre site for reflection, bridging the gap between the medieval martyrdom of the Abbey’s past and the modern heritage of the Abbey Quarter.
\r\n
Interpretation of Ruins
\r\nAdjacent to the historic ruins of Reading Abbey at the junction of Abbey Square and Abbey Street, the abstract bronze sculpture by Danish artist Jens-Flemming Sørensen provides a modern artistic dialogue with the town's medieval past. Installed in 2000 on a raised green mound, the work is often referred to as an Interpretation of Ruins, though it remains officially untitled. The sculpture features smooth, polished spherical forms emerging from or resting upon rugged, fractured blocks of bronze, mimicking the weathered flint and mortar of the neighbouring Reading Abbey walls.
\r\nThis juxtaposition of refined geometry and raw, decaying textures reflects the process of architectural erosion and the passage of time. By placing a contemporary abstract piece so close to the physical remains of the 12th-century monastery, Sørensen encourages viewers to perceive the ruins not merely as static historical debris, but as a living part of the urban landscape. The sculpture serves as a visual bridge in the Abbey Quarter, mirroring the organic shapes of the ancient stonework while maintaining a distinctively modern aesthetic.
\r\n
Oscar Wilde Memorial
\r\nThe Oscar Wilde Memorial, a set of gates designed by artist Bruce Williams and unveiled in 2000, is located on Chestnut Walk. The installation is strategically positioned adjacent to the perimeter wall of Reading Gaol, the correctional facility where Wilde was incarcerated for \"gross indecency\" between 1895 and 1897.
\r\nThe work consists of a series of double-sided integrated panels and gates made of stainless steel and glass. Williams used a photo-etching process to display images of Wilde alongside excerpts from his final poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and his long letter, De Profundis, both of which were inspired by his time in the prison. The memorial was commissioned to mark the centenary of Wilde’s death and serves as a permanent historical marker of his connection to the town.
\r\nSimeon Obelisk
\r\nThe Simeon Obelisk, designed by sculptor Robert Spiller, is a prominent Portland stone monument located at the junction of Friar Street and Station Road in Reading. Commissioned in 1804 by Edward Simeon, a Director of the Bank of England and brother to Reading’s then-MP John Simeon, the obelisk was originally intended to serve as a functional decorative landmark.
\r\nThe structure features a triangular base supporting a tall, tapered shaft, which originally housed gas lamps on its three sides—marking it as one of the earliest examples of public gas lighting in the town. Although the lamps were later removed and replaced with decorative carvings, the monument remains in its original location. It serves as a historical marker of 19th-century civic philanthropy and the Simeon family's influence on the urban development of Reading during the Georgian era.
\r\nGuardian of the Gate of Sparta
\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was unveiled in 1995 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the South Street Arts Centre in Reading. The piece is situated outside the centre's entrance and was carved from Portland stone salvaged from the demolition of the old Knightsbridge Barracks in London.
\r\nThe sculpture depicts a stylized, helmeted warrior figure, referencing the ancient Spartan themes of protection and endurance. Stanford, who served as the Keeper of Art at Reading Museum for many years, designed the work to reflect the Arts Centre’s role as a \"stronghold\" for the local creative community. The use of reclaimed military stone provides a material link between the site's history and its modern function as a public cultural space.
\r\nRequiem
\r\nSculpted by Eric Stanford, was erected in 1990 to commemorate the residents of Reading who volunteered for the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The monument is carved from Portland stone and is situated on Dusseldorf Way, positioned outside the Reading Borough Council's Civic Offices.
\r\nThe sculpture features a stylised, grieving figure draped in heavy robes, designed to evoke a sense of solemnity and loss rather than a celebration of military combat. It was commissioned by the Reading Spanish Civil War Memorial Committee to honour the local individuals who fought against fascism, as well as those who provided humanitarian aid to Spanish refugees. The choice of material and its central civic location ensure it serves as a permanent public reminder of the town’s historical commitment to international solidarity.
\r\nCrystal Beacon
\r\nPositioned above a public viewing gallery over the multi-storey car part on the south side of the Kennet at The Oracle, this was designed by John Gingell as part of Hammerson (the developer of the Oracle)'s desire to build contemporary art into the actual fabric of the architecture in 1999. The Oracle used to be a Victorian warehouse.
\r\nMade of translucent crystal, the work stands as a beacon for the Oracle and by night it can be illuminated by a state of the art computerised light programme.
Somewhat ironically, it is best seen by car from the IDR flyover beside the Oracle car park.
Girl and The Swan
\r\nInstalled against a brick wall of Arundell House in King's Road in 1984, Girl and The Swan by Lorne McKean is a bronze depicting a young girl reaching up to touch a swan flying overhead.
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The Compleat Angler
\r\nChocolate Island was where the massive Huntley & Palmer biscuit factory stored its chocolate – presumably to prevent pilfering from staff. The pubs further down the Kennet had names like the Jolly Angler and the Fisherman’s Cottage, highlighting the popularity of fishing as a working class pastime on the town’s canal and rivers. The model for this work by Kevin Atherton was keen angler and retired postman, Keith Cooper, who was aged 71 when the work was unveiled 24th November 1992.
\r\nAngels
\r\nLocated outside the west end of St Laurence Church on either side of the main door. The two angels are attributed to James Marshall. They are made of roman cement and were installed in 1806.
\r\n‘George’
\r\nThis statue was sculpted by William Bloye, F.R.B.S., high on the front wall of what was then known as Reading Technical College on King's Road. As Birmingham's unofficial civic sculptor Bloye worked on virtually all public commissions including libraries, hospitals and the University. He often carved bas-relief plaques, typically for public houses in Birmingham and one of his most famed works is the statue of 'Pan' at Aston Hall in Birmingham.
\r\nGeorge Palmer
\r\nThe bronze statue of George Palmer, of Huntley & Palmer fame stands in Palmer Park. The statue, by George Blackall Simonds, was unveiled on 4 November 1891, though it was originally in Broad Street and only later moved to Palmer Park. The statue was moved in 1930 to its current location in its namesake park and has been classed Grade II Listed monument since 14 December 1978.
\r\n
Unveiling of the statue in Board Street on 4 November 1891
\r\nThe statue was given by the towns-folk of Reading, \"in recognition of his services and gifts to the town\", and unveiled 4 November 1891, the same day of the opening of the 49 acre Palmer Park.[7] Four thousand subscribed to the cost of the statue. The opening of the park and the unveiling of the statue have been described as \"the biggest celebration Reading had ever seen.
\r\nThe Gateway
Created by sculptor Clare Bigger in 2000, is a large-scale stainless steel installation located at the entrance of the Reading International Business Park. Standing at approximately 6 meters high, the sculpture was commissioned to serve as a focal point for the corporate development near the M4 motorway.
Consistent with Bigger's signature style, which focuses on the mechanics of movement and athleticism, the piece depicts two dynamic, stylized figures that arch toward one another to form a symbolic archway or \"gateway.\" The structure is composed of brushed stainless steel ribbons that allow wind and light to pass through, emphasizing a sense of lightness and fluidity despite its significant physical scale. It serves as both a navigational landmark and a representation of the modern, kinetic energy associated with the business park.
\r\nThe Hexham Road Tree
\r\nCreated by artist Bhajan Hunjan in 1998, is a site-specific floor mosaic located at the entrance of the Hexham Road Community Centre in Reading. The work was commissioned as part of a wider regeneration project for the estate to create a welcoming and culturally inclusive landmark for the local neighbourhood.
\r\nThe piece features a central tree motif executed in colourful inlaid tiles and brickwork, symbolizing growth, community roots, and the diversity of the area's residents. Hunjan, known for her focus on patterns and geometry, integrated the design directly into the paving to ensure the art remains a functional part of the public walkway. The \"tree\" serves as a metaphorical gathering point, reflecting the building's role as a hub for social and educational activities.
\r\nHarrison Memorial
\r\nErected 1887 and made of Portland stone the memorial is in St Mary's churchyard adjacent to St Mary Butts. The architect was Spencer Slingsby Stallwood. It records the many benefactions of Isaac Harrinson who spent a lot of his money clearing the slums in Reading and particularly those in St Mary Butts. He died a few years after the memorial was erected.
\r\nRichard Valpy
\r\nWithin the exterior niche of St Laurence’s Church, overlooking Reading’s historic Town Hall Square, stands a commemorative statue of Richard Valpy by the sculptor Samuel Nixon. Valpy was a prominent educationalist and the long-serving headmaster of Reading School from 1781 to 1830, credited with transforming the institution into one of the leading schools in the country during the 19th century.
\r\nThe statue, carved in a traditional neoclassical style, depicts Valpy in his academic robes, holding a book to signify his scholarly contributions and his influential work as a classicist. Its placement at St Laurence’s is historically significant, as the church served as the primary place of worship for the school’s staff and pupils for centuries. As a public monument, it honours Valpy's fifty-year tenure and his lasting impact on the intellectual and civic life of Reading.
\r\nCartwheeling Boys
\r\nThe Cartwheeling Boys is a distinctive aluminium sculpture by artist Brian Slack, cast at the Brunel University Department of Metallurgy. It was erected in 1981 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the twinning between Reading and Düsseldorf. The piece depicts three figures in various stages of a cartwheel, a traditional symbol of joy in Düsseldorf that dates back to a 17th-century legend involving a loose carriage wheel. Originally located on a wall at San Francisco Libre Walk near the old Civic Centre, the sculpture was famously toppled by Storm Eunice in 2022. Following a period of restoration using modern computer modelling and traditional casting, it was reinstalled in February 2026 on the façade of the new Civic Offices at the corner of Bridge Street and Fobney Street.
\r\nLaying the Reading Abbey Foundation
\r\nA Corshill stone panel on the facade of the Old Town Hall, commemorating Henry I who was the founder of Reading Abbey and who was buried before the high altar there. It is located on the frieze between the main doors to the Museum and Old Town Hall and was installed in 1888 after the building was opened in 1882.
\r\nThe architect was Thomas Lainson and the sculptor Charles Pinker. The scene depicts Henry laying the foundation stone for Reading Abbey.
\r\nReading Piece
\r\nThe sculpture located outside the former Visa International HQ was commissioned by the company who previously occupied this building, Heron Corporation in 1982. Created by the artist Peter Sainty, the piece is a large-scale abstract work fashioned from welded steel.
\r\nThe sculpture's design is characterized by its sharp, geometric lines and industrial aesthetic, reflecting the modern architectural style of the business park developments emerging in Reading during the early 1980s. Sainty, an artist known for his structural and minimalist approach, intended the work to complement the corporate environment while providing a bold visual anchor for the site's entrance. The use of steel mirrors the technological and forward-thinking nature of the companies housed within the complex at the time of its installation.
\r\n1st Marquess of Reading
\r\nThe statue of 1st Marquess of Reading (Rufus Isaacs 1860-1935) by Charles Sargeant Jagger is located in the King George V Memorial Gardens, Eldon Square and was moved to its current location in 1971 having been repatriated to Reading in 1961 from Delhi, where it was originally erected. Isaacs was the Viceroy and Governor General of India from 1921 to 1925.
\r\nStatue of Queen Victoria
\r\nStanding outside Reading Town Hall, this statue commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887. Also sculpted by George Blackall Simonds, it reflects the town's respect and admiration for the monarch.
\r\nStatue of King Edward VII
\r\nLocated in Station Square, this statue pays tribute to King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910. It serves as a reminder of the monarch's influence during a transformative period in British history.
\r\nThe Trooper Potts VC Memorial
\r\nLocated outside the Reading Crown Court near the entrance to Forbury Gardens, this is a bronze statue group by sculptor Tom Murphy. Unveiled on October 4, 2015, the monument commemorates Frederick Owen Potts, Reading’s only recipient of the Victoria Cross, and his comrade Arthur Andrews.
\r\nThe sculpture depicts a life-sized scene from the Battle of Scimitar Hill during the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. After both men were wounded by machine-gun fire, Potts refused to abandon Andrews, who was unable to walk. Over a period of 48 hours, while under constant enemy fire and suffering from dehydration, Potts used a discarded entrenching shovel as a makeshift sledge to drag Andrews over 600 yards to the safety of the British lines. This feat earned Potts the nickname \"The Hero with the Shovel.\"
\r\nThe memorial was commissioned by the Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust and serves a dual purpose. In addition to honouring Potts and Andrews, the plinth features a Roll of Honour listing the names of 426 men from the Berkshire Yeomanry who lost their lives in the Boer War and the two World Wars. The project was officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire and television presenter Chris Tarrant to mark the centenary of the act of bravery.
\r\nHistorically, some have felt that the University of Reading shared a similar lack of prominent public monuments. However, this is a narrative currently being rewritten. The University has recently launched a major Public Art Strategy, including a £200,000 endowment for new commissions. Works like the \"Floating Garden\" by Ben Cain and Tina Gverovi\u0107 and the upcoming \"Missing Yew\"—an eco-sculpture designed by Petre Nikoloski to fuse living trees with stone—signal a shift toward art that is living, communal, and contemporary.
\r\nThe Royal Berkshire Hospital also has sculptures . It houses a significant permanent art installation titled \"The Gift of Life\", which was unveiled in 2015. Located in the main entrance reception area, the piece is a large-scale wall installation designed by the Hospital Art Studio to serve as a memorial to organ and tissue donors.
\r\nThe artwork consists of hundreds of 3D butterflies that span an entire wall, arranged in a way that their collective silhouette forms the shape of a large heart. The butterflies were chosen as a symbol of transformation and \"rebirth,\" and the five specific species depicted are all indigenous to the Berkshire Downs. To create a sense of movement, some of the smaller butterflies are applied directly to the wall surface, while the larger ones are mounted on spacers to appear as if they are fluttering into the room.
\r\n
Tucked away in the tranquil Englefield Garden deep within the hospital is a sculpture known as \"The Diver\" stands as a striking example of contemporary kinetic art. Created by the renowned sculptor Sophie Dickens—the great-great-granddaughter of novelist Charles Dickens—the piece was installed in 2018 as the centrepiece of a therapeutic sanctuary dedicated to the memory of Sir William Benyon (1930–2014), a former Member of Parliament and a significant benefactor to the hospital.
\r\nThe work is a multi-part bronze installation that captures a single male figure in the various stages of a high dive or somersault. Rather than a static, singular statue, Dickens used five distinct figures to create a \"stop-motion\" effect, leading the eye in a fluid, circular arc toward the surface of the garden's pond. The sculpture is celebrated for its raw, muscular energy; the figures are constructed from individual wooden blocks that were later cast in bronze, giving the work a textured, skeletal appearance that emphasizes the mechanics of the human body in motion.
\r\nThe placement of \"The Diver\" within the Sir William Benyon Memorial Garden was a deliberate choice by the garden’s designer, Jennifer Benyon. Designed to provide a \"haven of peace\" for patients, staff, and grieving families, the garden uses the sculpture’s dynamic energy to contrast with the stillness of the water. In a clinical environment, the diver’s bold plunge serves as a powerful metaphor for courage, the transition between states of being, and the restorative power of movement.
\r\n
The deployment of statues in Reading continues. The multi-billion pound Station Hill development, acting as a new gateway between Reading Station and the town centre, features a £1.5 million public art trail unveiled between 2024 and 2025. These works were curated by Futurecity to reflect Reading’s industrial, botanical, and social history through a modern, high-tech lens.
\r\nSeed
\r\nDesigned by Rachael Champion and Jonathan Trayte, Seed is a five-metre-tall sculpture located in the central piazza. It features a vibrant orange silhouette of a pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) seed, a direct tribute to the horticultural legacy of Suttons Seeds, which was once headquartered in Reading. The sculpture sits on a cylindrical terrazzo plinth made from recycled brick and glass, embedded with nine bronze reliefs. These reliefs depict magnified seed textures captured via scanning electron microscopy at the Natural History Museum, selected in collaboration with the University of Reading's herbarium.
\r\n
PIVOTAL
\r\nStanding 14 metres high outside the ONE Station Hill office building, PIVOTAL is a kinetic sculpture by the design studio NEON (Mark Nixon and Viliina Koivisto). It consists of 73 vertical fins that rotate independently in the wind, mimicking the movement of a flag or a shifting skyline. At night, the installation is transformed by an internal LED system that cycles through animated light sequences, making it a permanent landmark for the 20 million passengers who pass through the station annually.
\r\nThe Station Hill Murals
\r\nTwo massive, backlit murals created by artist Kev Munday and sculptor Stuart Melrose anchor the pedestrian routes. These pieces combine a distinctive \"pop-art\" illustrative style with advanced material science, using laser-cut aluminium and HIMACS solid surface panels.
\r\nRoyals, Residents & a Rock Festival: Located near the station underpass, this 51-metre-long mural features a \"who’s who\" of Reading, including Kate Winslet, Ricky Gervais, and Marianne Faithfull, alongside landmarks like the Hexagon Theatre.
\r\nRivers, Ruins & Regency: Positioned at the Friars Walk end of the development, this piece focuses on historical figures such as King Henry I and Mary Russell Mitford, alongside references to Huntley & Palmers and the Abbey.
\r\nBoth murals are programmed with thousands of LEDs that change colour and \"wink\" at passersby, with the lighting sequences updated throughout the year to mark local festivals and milestones.
\r\n", "description": "Statues are more than just art; they are powerful statements about history and identity. As public memory evolves, it's time to re-evaluate the monuments that shape our cities, including Reading's own rich collection.", "dateModified": "2026-07-23T09:50:21.150271+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-04-01T09:47:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-sculpture-trail/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "335", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/tutus-ethiopian-table-20-years-of-flavour-and-community-in-reading/", "title": "Out Of Africa Into Reading", "content_html": "
Reading without Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table now seems unthinkable. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the popular menu of meat and vegetarian stews, served with the Ethiopian traditional pancake, injera.
\nNow based in Palmer Park Lodge, next to the hugely popular play area and just off Wokingham Road, the caf\u00e9 is a dream come true for Tutu Melaku. It\u2019s a real meeting point: families can pop in for snacks, east Reading residents can enjoy tea and cake, while community groups \u2013 including poets and singers \u2013 have made it a second home. No wonder it has rave reviews on Tripadvisor.\u00a0
\nThat\u2019s not all that Tutu does: her sauces can be bought for home cooking, and they can be found in pantries the world over as people buy them for presents as well as for themselves, while her mobile catering truck means she can pop up at festivals or attend company functions, parties and weddings.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cMy food is not just staying in Reading, it\u2019s going to Scotland, to Aberdeen, to Leeds, to Birmingham,\u201d she says, adding that she hopes that one day her sauces will be on sale in shops.
\nThere is one thing that may surprise people. Despite Tutu\u2019s pride in the cuisine of her home country, her core clientele isn\u2019t from the African nation.\u00a0
\n\u201cThere are a very small number of people from Ethiopia in Reading, especially when I opened. It\u2019s not a big community here. London? Definitely. Reading is a very multi-cultural town, and everybody welcomes everybody from different places. It is a beautiful place to live because everybody wants to know who you are, everybody welcomes you, everybody loves you and wants to know more about you. I\u2019ve never felt like I\u2019m an outsider.\u201d
\nThe journey to a successful business has been a long one, and it all started in her own kitchen.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/6de0ff421a12.jpg\")
Originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia\u2019s capital, she found herself living and working in Reading, often offering some African hospitality to friends she made here: \u201cI\u2019m passionate about cooking and when I invited people to my house, they loved my food. Someone suggested that I should start a business: I\u2019d never thought about it.\u201d
\nLike all good superheroes, she had a double life: when she started Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, she was a childminder during the day and catering for parties, meetings and birthdays the rest of the time. That initial success led her to realise there was a business to be had. There was just one problem: \u201cWhen you are a childminder, you don\u2019t make a lot of money. I loved the job, and it suited me as my kids were young.\u201d
\nTutu needed an alternative solution and set upon trying to find a kitchen to hire, trying pubs but finding closed doors. Forget the school of hard knocks: this was the pubs and restaurants of hard door knocking.
\nShe says: \u201cI remember one who just said, \u2018How dare you come and ask this question\u2019.
\n\u201cSome asked why and I told them that this is my passion, and I know I didn\u2019t have the money to do it.\u201d
\nHowever, a conversation at RISC that had initially seemed fruitless came good. Tutu had initially been told that the charity, which runs the Global Caf\u00e9 in London Street, wouldn\u2019t take her in, but was later invited to speak to the trustees about her vision for using their kitchens to bring her food to a wider audience.\u00a0
\n\u201cThey asked me to come in and have a meeting with me, asked me a lot of questions and wanted to know about me as a person as well. After a week they said they were happy to have me,\u201d she recalls. \u201cWhen we did the launch, we had 144 people turn up.
\n\u201cI remember the queue was out in the streets, reaching the traffic lights. It was a big, big, big launch \u2026 and that\u2019s where the journey started.\u201d
\nShe was there for 12 years, winning awards such as a Pride of Reading Award, but yearned for her own space. When the opportunity came to take on the cafe at Palmer Park, she leapt into action and convinced Reading Borough Council that she was the best person to take on the lease.
\n\u201cWhen I mentioned that I was going to move to Palmer Park I think most of my friends thought I was crazy,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThey said I was already established in RISC, and it would be hard to make money. I said to them I\u2019m not there yet, but when I am it will be a different story.\u201d
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/7ab9faff509c.jpg\")
The launch, in 2019, saw crowds once again flock to support Tutu. The then borough mayor, Debs Edwards, cut the ribbon and among the guests was the Ethiopian High Commission's Deputy Head of Mission, Ababi Demissie. At the ceremony, he endorsed her as a cultural ambassador for the country, adding that he hoped her success will serve as an example and catalyst for even more Ethiopians to contribute towards building a better Ethiopia and promote Ethiopia\u2019s cultural heritage through various endeavours.
\nThat early success was then followed by the lockdowns caused by Covid-19, with the hospitality industry particularly affected.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe celebrated our first anniversary and then we had to shut down. I had a panic attack because I didn\u2019t know what to do, and was worried I\u2019d lose the cafe, and that would be the end of me. But you know what? My community, they said you are not going to close down. We\u2019re going to come and have takeaway food,\u201d she says.\u00a0
\n\u201cThe people around me saved this place: This is not just a business; Tutu\u2019s is more than that and that\u2019s why it\u2019s successful. If you focus on having to make money, that's not going to work. You have to learn how to serve your people.\u201d
\nThat includes seeing the Palmer Park venue host wedding and birthday parties, and a Community Festival. Tutu feels that this means it\u2019s not a caf\u00e9, but a family, and this feeds back into how Tutu runs things.\u00a0
\n\u201cI look after everybody who walks into this cafe,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause I do, you make them special and you remember who they are; you remember the coffee, the food and how they like it. Some people, you know, like their food on the plate, some like small dishes and different bowls.\u00a0
\n\u201cI remember one lady saying that coming to me is like going to her mum\u2019s every Sunday for a roast. That\u2019s a big statement to make. If I can make people feel like that I think my job is done.\u201d
\nTo mark the 20th anniversary of Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, several events are being planned. Among the early initiatives is a commemorative mug that people can purchase, and customers are being invited to complete postcard-sized greetings that will eventually form a massive birthday card.
\nIt will culminate in an event this autumn. \u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly what the party looks like, we have so many ideas and I want people to give me theirs. I want them to share their memories about the caf\u00e9 and RISC, tell me how they met me, and what it means to them.\u00a0
\n\u201cSend me a letter, draw a picture, so I can keep it and show my grandchildren.\u201d
\nWhatever happens, with her community joining her around the table and breaking injera (Ethiopian pancake) together, the celebration will be a day that makes Reading proud.
\nFor more on Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, log on to:\u00a0https://tutus-ethiopian-table.com. Her next open mic event will be from 6.30pm on Friday, 10 April.\u00a0
\nTutu\u2019s charity, Tutu\u2019s Fund for the Future, helps orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia attend school and develop their potential. Run in partnership with Together We Learn, it focuses on education projects in schools and the sponsorship of vulnerable children. For more details, or to donate to the fund, log on to:\u00a0https://twlethiopia.org/tutus-fund-for-the-future/
", "content_text": "Reading without Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table now seems unthinkable. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the popular menu of meat and vegetarian stews, served with the Ethiopian traditional pancake, injera.\nNow based in Palmer Park Lodge, next to the hugely popular play area and just off Wokingham Road, the caf\u00e9 is a dream come true for Tutu Melaku. It\u2019s a real meeting point: families can pop in for snacks, east Reading residents can enjoy tea and cake, while community groups \u2013 including poets and singers \u2013 have made it a second home. No wonder it has rave reviews on Tripadvisor.\u00a0\nThat\u2019s not all that Tutu does: her sauces can be bought for home cooking, and they can be found in pantries the world over as people buy them for presents as well as for themselves, while her mobile catering truck means she can pop up at festivals or attend company functions, parties and weddings.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cMy food is not just staying in Reading, it\u2019s going to Scotland, to Aberdeen, to Leeds, to Birmingham,\u201d she says, adding that she hopes that one day her sauces will be on sale in shops.\nThere is one thing that may surprise people. Despite Tutu\u2019s pride in the cuisine of her home country, her core clientele isn\u2019t from the African nation.\u00a0\n\u201cThere are a very small number of people from Ethiopia in Reading, especially when I opened. It\u2019s not a big community here. London? Definitely. Reading is a very multi-cultural town, and everybody welcomes everybody from different places. It is a beautiful place to live because everybody wants to know who you are, everybody welcomes you, everybody loves you and wants to know more about you. I\u2019ve never felt like I\u2019m an outsider.\u201d\nThe journey to a successful business has been a long one, and it all started in her own kitchen.\u00a0\n\nOriginally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia\u2019s capital, she found herself living and working in Reading, often offering some African hospitality to friends she made here: \u201cI\u2019m passionate about cooking and when I invited people to my house, they loved my food. Someone suggested that I should start a business: I\u2019d never thought about it.\u201d\nLike all good superheroes, she had a double life: when she started Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, she was a childminder during the day and catering for parties, meetings and birthdays the rest of the time. That initial success led her to realise there was a business to be had. There was just one problem: \u201cWhen you are a childminder, you don\u2019t make a lot of money. I loved the job, and it suited me as my kids were young.\u201d\nTutu needed an alternative solution and set upon trying to find a kitchen to hire, trying pubs but finding closed doors. Forget the school of hard knocks: this was the pubs and restaurants of hard door knocking.\nShe says: \u201cI remember one who just said, \u2018How dare you come and ask this question\u2019.\n\u201cSome asked why and I told them that this is my passion, and I know I didn\u2019t have the money to do it.\u201d\nHowever, a conversation at RISC that had initially seemed fruitless came good. Tutu had initially been told that the charity, which runs the Global Caf\u00e9 in London Street, wouldn\u2019t take her in, but was later invited to speak to the trustees about her vision for using their kitchens to bring her food to a wider audience.\u00a0\n\u201cThey asked me to come in and have a meeting with me, asked me a lot of questions and wanted to know about me as a person as well. After a week they said they were happy to have me,\u201d she recalls. \u201cWhen we did the launch, we had 144 people turn up.\n\u201cI remember the queue was out in the streets, reaching the traffic lights. It was a big, big, big launch \u2026 and that\u2019s where the journey started.\u201d\nShe was there for 12 years, winning awards such as a Pride of Reading Award, but yearned for her own space. When the opportunity came to take on the cafe at Palmer Park, she leapt into action and convinced Reading Borough Council that she was the best person to take on the lease.\n\u201cWhen I mentioned that I was going to move to Palmer Park I think most of my friends thought I was crazy,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThey said I was already established in RISC, and it would be hard to make money. I said to them I\u2019m not there yet, but when I am it will be a different story.\u201d\n\nThe launch, in 2019, saw crowds once again flock to support Tutu. The then borough mayor, Debs Edwards, cut the ribbon and among the guests was the Ethiopian High Commission's Deputy Head of Mission, Ababi Demissie. At the ceremony, he endorsed her as a cultural ambassador for the country, adding that he hoped her success will serve as an example and catalyst for even more Ethiopians to contribute towards building a better Ethiopia and promote Ethiopia\u2019s cultural heritage through various endeavours.\nThat early success was then followed by the lockdowns caused by Covid-19, with the hospitality industry particularly affected.\u00a0\n\u201cWe celebrated our first anniversary and then we had to shut down. I had a panic attack because I didn\u2019t know what to do, and was worried I\u2019d lose the cafe, and that would be the end of me. But you know what? My community, they said you are not going to close down. We\u2019re going to come and have takeaway food,\u201d she says.\u00a0\n\u201cThe people around me saved this place: This is not just a business; Tutu\u2019s is more than that and that\u2019s why it\u2019s successful. If you focus on having to make money, that's not going to work. You have to learn how to serve your people.\u201d\nThat includes seeing the Palmer Park venue host wedding and birthday parties, and a Community Festival. Tutu feels that this means it\u2019s not a caf\u00e9, but a family, and this feeds back into how Tutu runs things.\u00a0\n\u201cI look after everybody who walks into this cafe,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause I do, you make them special and you remember who they are; you remember the coffee, the food and how they like it. Some people, you know, like their food on the plate, some like small dishes and different bowls.\u00a0\n\u201cI remember one lady saying that coming to me is like going to her mum\u2019s every Sunday for a roast. That\u2019s a big statement to make. If I can make people feel like that I think my job is done.\u201d\nTo mark the 20th anniversary of Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, several events are being planned. Among the early initiatives is a commemorative mug that people can purchase, and customers are being invited to complete postcard-sized greetings that will eventually form a massive birthday card.\nIt will culminate in an event this autumn. \u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly what the party looks like, we have so many ideas and I want people to give me theirs. I want them to share their memories about the caf\u00e9 and RISC, tell me how they met me, and what it means to them.\u00a0\n\u201cSend me a letter, draw a picture, so I can keep it and show my grandchildren.\u201d\nWhatever happens, with her community joining her around the table and breaking injera (Ethiopian pancake) together, the celebration will be a day that makes Reading proud.\nFor more on Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, log on to:\u00a0https://tutus-ethiopian-table.com. Her next open mic event will be from 6.30pm on Friday, 10 April.\u00a0\nTutu\u2019s charity, Tutu\u2019s Fund for the Future, helps orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia attend school and develop their potential. Run in partnership with Together We Learn, it focuses on education projects in schools and the sponsorship of vulnerable children. For more details, or to donate to the fund, log on to:\u00a0https://twlethiopia.org/tutus-fund-for-the-future/", "summary": "Celebrating 20 years, Tutu's Ethiopian Table is a beloved Reading institution, offering delicious stews and injera. From humble beginnings to a thriving caf\u00e9 and global reach, Tutu Melaku's journey is a testament to passion and community.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T09:44:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:10.848803+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/04/909b5109.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/04/909b5109.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Out Of Africa Into Reading", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1579, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Reading without Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table now seems unthinkable. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the popular menu of meat and vegetarian stews, served with the Ethiopian traditional pancake, injera.
\nNow based in Palmer Park Lodge, next to the hugely popular play area and just off Wokingham Road, the caf\u00e9 is a dream come true for Tutu Melaku. It\u2019s a real meeting point: families can pop in for snacks, east Reading residents can enjoy tea and cake, while community groups \u2013 including poets and singers \u2013 have made it a second home. No wonder it has rave reviews on Tripadvisor.\u00a0
\nThat\u2019s not all that Tutu does: her sauces can be bought for home cooking, and they can be found in pantries the world over as people buy them for presents as well as for themselves, while her mobile catering truck means she can pop up at festivals or attend company functions, parties and weddings.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cMy food is not just staying in Reading, it\u2019s going to Scotland, to Aberdeen, to Leeds, to Birmingham,\u201d she says, adding that she hopes that one day her sauces will be on sale in shops.
\nThere is one thing that may surprise people. Despite Tutu\u2019s pride in the cuisine of her home country, her core clientele isn\u2019t from the African nation.\u00a0
\n\u201cThere are a very small number of people from Ethiopia in Reading, especially when I opened. It\u2019s not a big community here. London? Definitely. Reading is a very multi-cultural town, and everybody welcomes everybody from different places. It is a beautiful place to live because everybody wants to know who you are, everybody welcomes you, everybody loves you and wants to know more about you. I\u2019ve never felt like I\u2019m an outsider.\u201d
\nThe journey to a successful business has been a long one, and it all started in her own kitchen.\u00a0
\n
Originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia\u2019s capital, she found herself living and working in Reading, often offering some African hospitality to friends she made here: \u201cI\u2019m passionate about cooking and when I invited people to my house, they loved my food. Someone suggested that I should start a business: I\u2019d never thought about it.\u201d
\nLike all good superheroes, she had a double life: when she started Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, she was a childminder during the day and catering for parties, meetings and birthdays the rest of the time. That initial success led her to realise there was a business to be had. There was just one problem: \u201cWhen you are a childminder, you don\u2019t make a lot of money. I loved the job, and it suited me as my kids were young.\u201d
\nTutu needed an alternative solution and set upon trying to find a kitchen to hire, trying pubs but finding closed doors. Forget the school of hard knocks: this was the pubs and restaurants of hard door knocking.
\nShe says: \u201cI remember one who just said, \u2018How dare you come and ask this question\u2019.
\n\u201cSome asked why and I told them that this is my passion, and I know I didn\u2019t have the money to do it.\u201d
\nHowever, a conversation at RISC that had initially seemed fruitless came good. Tutu had initially been told that the charity, which runs the Global Caf\u00e9 in London Street, wouldn\u2019t take her in, but was later invited to speak to the trustees about her vision for using their kitchens to bring her food to a wider audience.\u00a0
\n\u201cThey asked me to come in and have a meeting with me, asked me a lot of questions and wanted to know about me as a person as well. After a week they said they were happy to have me,\u201d she recalls. \u201cWhen we did the launch, we had 144 people turn up.
\n\u201cI remember the queue was out in the streets, reaching the traffic lights. It was a big, big, big launch \u2026 and that\u2019s where the journey started.\u201d
\nShe was there for 12 years, winning awards such as a Pride of Reading Award, but yearned for her own space. When the opportunity came to take on the cafe at Palmer Park, she leapt into action and convinced Reading Borough Council that she was the best person to take on the lease.
\n\u201cWhen I mentioned that I was going to move to Palmer Park I think most of my friends thought I was crazy,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThey said I was already established in RISC, and it would be hard to make money. I said to them I\u2019m not there yet, but when I am it will be a different story.\u201d
\n
The launch, in 2019, saw crowds once again flock to support Tutu. The then borough mayor, Debs Edwards, cut the ribbon and among the guests was the Ethiopian High Commission's Deputy Head of Mission, Ababi Demissie. At the ceremony, he endorsed her as a cultural ambassador for the country, adding that he hoped her success will serve as an example and catalyst for even more Ethiopians to contribute towards building a better Ethiopia and promote Ethiopia\u2019s cultural heritage through various endeavours.
\nThat early success was then followed by the lockdowns caused by Covid-19, with the hospitality industry particularly affected.\u00a0
\n\u201cWe celebrated our first anniversary and then we had to shut down. I had a panic attack because I didn\u2019t know what to do, and was worried I\u2019d lose the cafe, and that would be the end of me. But you know what? My community, they said you are not going to close down. We\u2019re going to come and have takeaway food,\u201d she says.\u00a0
\n\u201cThe people around me saved this place: This is not just a business; Tutu\u2019s is more than that and that\u2019s why it\u2019s successful. If you focus on having to make money, that's not going to work. You have to learn how to serve your people.\u201d
\nThat includes seeing the Palmer Park venue host wedding and birthday parties, and a Community Festival. Tutu feels that this means it\u2019s not a caf\u00e9, but a family, and this feeds back into how Tutu runs things.\u00a0
\n\u201cI look after everybody who walks into this cafe,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause I do, you make them special and you remember who they are; you remember the coffee, the food and how they like it. Some people, you know, like their food on the plate, some like small dishes and different bowls.\u00a0
\n\u201cI remember one lady saying that coming to me is like going to her mum\u2019s every Sunday for a roast. That\u2019s a big statement to make. If I can make people feel like that I think my job is done.\u201d
\nTo mark the 20th anniversary of Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, several events are being planned. Among the early initiatives is a commemorative mug that people can purchase, and customers are being invited to complete postcard-sized greetings that will eventually form a massive birthday card.
\nIt will culminate in an event this autumn. \u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly what the party looks like, we have so many ideas and I want people to give me theirs. I want them to share their memories about the caf\u00e9 and RISC, tell me how they met me, and what it means to them.\u00a0
\n\u201cSend me a letter, draw a picture, so I can keep it and show my grandchildren.\u201d
\nWhatever happens, with her community joining her around the table and breaking injera (Ethiopian pancake) together, the celebration will be a day that makes Reading proud.
\nFor more on Tutu\u2019s Ethiopian Table, log on to:\u00a0https://tutus-ethiopian-table.com. Her next open mic event will be from 6.30pm on Friday, 10 April.\u00a0
\nTutu\u2019s charity, Tutu\u2019s Fund for the Future, helps orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia attend school and develop their potential. Run in partnership with Together We Learn, it focuses on education projects in schools and the sponsorship of vulnerable children. For more details, or to donate to the fund, log on to:\u00a0https://twlethiopia.org/tutus-fund-for-the-future/
", "description": "Celebrating 20 years, Tutu's Ethiopian Table is a beloved Reading institution, offering delicious stews and injera. From humble beginnings to a thriving caf\u00e9 and global reach, Tutu Melaku's journey is a testament to passion and community.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:10.848803+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-04-01T09:44:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/tutus-ethiopian-table-20-years-of-flavour-and-community-in-reading/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "334", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-banking-scandal/", "title": "The Reading Banking Scandal", "content_html": "As the final bank branch in Woodley prepares to close, the steady disappearance of everyday banking is an issue for many DIngs. Access to cash, in-person advice, and basic services has been reduced to a small number of branches and Post Offices.
\r\nFinancial activity in the area can be traced back to the 12th century, when Reading Abbey operated as a centre of economic administration. It managed land, collected revenues, and even operated a mint under royal authority. It had its own treasury on the second story between the South Transept and the Chapter House where valuables, coins, documents and books were kept.
\r\nIn later centuries, local banking became more commercial. By the late 18th century, local institutions such as the Simonds Bank were serving regional businesses and issuing their own banknotes. The bank, founded by the brewing family was founded in 1791 by William Blackall Simonds and amalgamated with Barclays Bank in 1913.
\r\nOther local banks included Stephens, Blandy and Co., set up in the late 1700s by the Stephens and Blandy families and acquired by Lloyds Bank in 1889.
\r\nThe Reading Savings Bank was established as a mutual society in 1817 by local Trustees and was eventually absorbed into the TSB (Trustee Savings Bank) network.
\r\nJ & C Simonds and Co. was founded in 1814 by John & Charles Simonds as a spin-off/re-founding of the original Simonds Bank, this was also eventually merged into Barclays.
\r\nReading & High Wycombe Building Society was another local mutual society. For much of the early 20th century, it was the go-to institution for local workers looking to buy homes in the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire area. In December 1956, the Reading & High Wycombe Building Society merged into the Bristol & West Building Society - part of a larger trend where regional societies joined forces to compete with national players. Then Bristol & West was bought by the Bank of Ireland in 1997. Later, in 2009, the branch network and savings business of Bristol & West were transferred to the Britannia Building Society and Britannia then merged with the Co-operative Bank.
\r\nDuring the 1980s and 1990s, all major banks and building societies maintained a presence in Reading town centre. At one point there were nearly fifty branches in the area, at a time when banking relied on in-person services, local decision-making, and regular customer interaction.
\r\nFrom the 1990s onwards, this expansive branch network in the town began to unwind. Digital banking reduced demand for physical branches, and banks consolidated their networks. Building societies were taken over by banks. Closures followed in sequence. Today there are fewer than twenty bank branches in the area, although Indian bank ICICI recently bucked the trend by opening a branch on Kings Road. The Barclays Bank on Broad St became The Botanist, the Lloyds Bank in Market Place became Market House. The old advertising slogan that 'your bank has become a nice wine bar' was very true in Reading.
\r\nBut as this quiet decline was happening, a much larger scandal was unfolding in an unassuming bank branch in Reading. - during the early decades of the 21st century, the town has been at the centre of one of the most serious banking frauds in modern British history.
\r\nIn the early years of the 21st century, a major banking scandal unfolded in Reading that exposed profound failures within Britain’s financial system. Centred on the Reading branch of HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland), the affair combined fraud, corruption, regulatory failure and institutional denial. Its consequences were devastating—not only for small business owners, but also for high-profile figures such as Noel Edmonds.
\r\nAt first glance, the HBOS branch in Reading appeared typical of a regional banking hub. Behind its operations, however, a coordinated fraud was developing within the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a division intended to support struggling businesses. But instead of recovery, the unit became a mechanism for extraction.
\r\nThe central figure behind the scandal was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with authority over distressed business lending. He worked closely with David Mills, a turnaround consultant later described in court as having \"an unusually exploitative role\" in the relationship.
\r\nThe fraud followed a consistent pattern: businesses in difficulty were directed toward a specific consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services. Large and often inappropriate loans were approved under the premise of restructuring, with high consultancy fees imposed, rapidly draining company resources. As a result, businesses collapsed under the combined weight of debt and fees.
\r\nThe outcome was predictable. Companies failed, owners were left insolvent and funds were diverted through the consultancy network to those involved in the scheme to fund lifestyles that included luxury travel, expensive assets, and personal excess.
\r\nThe consequences extended beyond financial loss. Many business owners lost livelihoods, homes, and long-standing enterprises.
\r\nThe scale was immense. The fraud is estimated to have cost around £245 million, with dozens of small and medium-sized enterprises driven into insolvency.
\r\nOne of the most prominent cases was that of Noel Edmonds. His company encountered the Reading operation during the mid-2000s, after which he argued that its decline was directly linked to the fraud. He later described severe personal strain, including a period of acute mental distress. Over time, he became the most visible public advocate for victims, pursuing compensation from Lloyds Banking Group, which acquired HBOS in 2009.
\r\nHis campaign brought sustained attention to the issue, including public criticism of the bank’s handling of compensation.
\r\nConcerns about the Reading operation had been raised years before formal action was taken.
\r\nAmong the earliest and most persistent whistleblowers were Paul and Nikki Turner, whose own business had been affected by the practices at the branch. After investigating independently, they compiled evidence linking internal bank decisions with external consultancy activity. Despite presenting this material to authorities, progress was slow. It was not until 2011 that Thames Valley Police launched a formal investigation into their claims.
\r\nAt the same time, internal concerns were also being documented. In 2013, a senior risk officer, Sally Masterton, produced a report indicating that the bank had prior knowledge of serious issues connected to Reading. The report was initially dismissed. Masterton later exited the organisation, though the bank subsequently acknowledged that her work had been produced in good faith.
\r\nThe case reached court in 2017. Six individuals were convicted and received a combined total of 47 years in prison. Lynden Scourfield was jailed for 11 years and 3 months, David Mills for 15 years and Mark Dobson for four and a half years
\r\nThe judge described the activity as \"sustained and deliberate exploitation of legitimate businesses\".
\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds Banking Group established a compensation process known as the Griggs Review, but this process was widely criticised by victims and independent observers, who argued that it understated losses and applied restrictive methodologies.
\r\nA subsequent independent review in 2019 identified significant shortcomings in the original compensation scheme.
\r\nOver time, the total financial impact on the bank has grown substantially. By 2026, estimated costs, including compensation and associated expenses, have reached approximately £1.3 billion.
\r\nDespite this, many affected individuals maintain that financial settlements have not addressed the full extent of the damage to this day.
\r\nAttention has since shifted to questions of institutional accountability.
\r\nIn 2017, an independent review was commissioned to examine whether senior executives were aware of the fraud and whether there had been any failure to disclose it appropriately.
\r\nBut even as of today (April 2026), the review has not been fully published.
\r\nThe delay has been attributed to the scale of documentation and the process of allowing individuals named in the report to respond prior to release. However, the length of time involved has led to criticism from politicians, campaign groups, and victims. Concerns remain that any eventual publication may be limited in scope.
\r\nMeanwhile, as we all know, banking has changed with the advent of the internet, the closing of branches and the introduction of 'challenger banks' such as Monzo, Starling and Revolut.
\r\nFor many people in Reading, Post Offices now handle basic transactions such as deposits and withdrawals, and there are also ongoing discussions about shared banking hubs, where multiple institutions provide in-person banking services on a rotating basis.
\r\nThese solutions address some practical needs but do not replicate the role previously played by local branches. The move online is permanent.
\r\nThe story of banking in Reading now spans nearly a thousand years, from physical coin production and local lending relationships to digital systems and remote services.
\r\nThe HBOS Reading scandal exposed failures in oversight and accountability within that system.
\r\nThe closure of Woodley’s final bank reflects a different transformation: the gradual removal of physical banking from everyday life. But many of those involved in the Reading banking scandal may not be sorry to see them go.
\r\n\r\n
", "content_text": "As the final bank branch in Woodley prepares to close, the steady disappearance of everyday banking is an issue for many DIngs. Access to cash, in-person advice, and basic services has been reduced to a small number of branches and Post Offices.\r\nFinancial activity in the area can be traced back to the 12th century, when Reading Abbey operated as a centre of economic administration. It managed land, collected revenues, and even operated a mint under royal authority. It had its own treasury on the second story between the South Transept and the Chapter House where valuables, coins, documents and books were kept.\r\nIn later centuries, local banking became more commercial. By the late 18th century, local institutions such as the Simonds Bank were serving regional businesses and issuing their own banknotes. The bank, founded by the brewing family was founded in 1791 by William Blackall Simonds and amalgamated with Barclays Bank in 1913.\r\nOther local banks included Stephens, Blandy and Co., set up in the late 1700s by the Stephens and Blandy families and acquired by Lloyds Bank in 1889.\r\nThe Reading Savings Bank was established as a mutual society in 1817 by local Trustees and was eventually absorbed into the TSB (Trustee Savings Bank) network.\r\nJ & C Simonds and Co. was founded in 1814 by John & Charles Simonds as a spin-off/re-founding of the original Simonds Bank, this was also eventually merged into Barclays.\r\nReading & High Wycombe Building Society was another local mutual society. For much of the early 20th century, it was the go-to institution for local workers looking to buy homes in the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire area. In December 1956, the Reading & High Wycombe Building Society merged into the Bristol & West Building Society - part of a larger trend where regional societies joined forces to compete with national players. Then Bristol & West was bought by the Bank of Ireland in 1997. Later, in 2009, the branch network and savings business of Bristol & West were transferred to the Britannia Building Society and Britannia then merged with the Co-operative Bank.\r\nDuring the 1980s and 1990s, all major banks and building societies maintained a presence in Reading town centre. At one point there were nearly fifty branches in the area, at a time when banking relied on in-person services, local decision-making, and regular customer interaction.\r\nFrom the 1990s onwards, this expansive branch network in the town began to unwind. Digital banking reduced demand for physical branches, and banks consolidated their networks. Building societies were taken over by banks. Closures followed in sequence. Today there are fewer than twenty bank branches in the area, although Indian bank ICICI recently bucked the trend by opening a branch on Kings Road. The Barclays Bank on Broad St became The Botanist, the Lloyds Bank in Market Place became Market House. The old advertising slogan that 'your bank has become a nice wine bar' was very true in Reading.\r\nBut as this quiet decline was happening, a much larger scandal was unfolding in an unassuming bank branch in Reading. - during the early decades of the 21st century, the town has been at the centre of one of the most serious banking frauds in modern British history.\r\nHigh Street Branch\r\nIn the early years of the 21st century, a major banking scandal unfolded in Reading that exposed profound failures within Britain’s financial system. Centred on the Reading branch of HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland), the affair combined fraud, corruption, regulatory failure and institutional denial. Its consequences were devastating—not only for small business owners, but also for high-profile figures such as Noel Edmonds.\r\nAt first glance, the HBOS branch in Reading appeared typical of a regional banking hub. Behind its operations, however, a coordinated fraud was developing within the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a division intended to support struggling businesses. But instead of recovery, the unit became a mechanism for extraction.\r\nThe central figure behind the scandal was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with authority over distressed business lending. He worked closely with David Mills, a turnaround consultant later described in court as having \"an unusually exploitative role\" in the relationship.\r\nThe fraud followed a consistent pattern: businesses in difficulty were directed toward a specific consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services. Large and often inappropriate loans were approved under the premise of restructuring, with high consultancy fees imposed, rapidly draining company resources. As a result, businesses collapsed under the combined weight of debt and fees.\r\nThe outcome was predictable. Companies failed, owners were left insolvent and funds were diverted through the consultancy network to those involved in the scheme to fund lifestyles that included luxury travel, expensive assets, and personal excess.\r\nThe consequences extended beyond financial loss. Many business owners lost livelihoods, homes, and long-standing enterprises.\r\nThe scale was immense. The fraud is estimated to have cost around £245 million, with dozens of small and medium-sized enterprises driven into insolvency.\r\nOne of the most prominent cases was that of Noel Edmonds. His company encountered the Reading operation during the mid-2000s, after which he argued that its decline was directly linked to the fraud. He later described severe personal strain, including a period of acute mental distress. Over time, he became the most visible public advocate for victims, pursuing compensation from Lloyds Banking Group, which acquired HBOS in 2009.\r\nHis campaign brought sustained attention to the issue, including public criticism of the bank’s handling of compensation.\r\nEarly Warnings and Internal Suppression\r\nConcerns about the Reading operation had been raised years before formal action was taken.\r\nAmong the earliest and most persistent whistleblowers were Paul and Nikki Turner, whose own business had been affected by the practices at the branch. After investigating independently, they compiled evidence linking internal bank decisions with external consultancy activity. Despite presenting this material to authorities, progress was slow. It was not until 2011 that Thames Valley Police launched a formal investigation into their claims.\r\nAt the same time, internal concerns were also being documented. In 2013, a senior risk officer, Sally Masterton, produced a report indicating that the bank had prior knowledge of serious issues connected to Reading. The report was initially dismissed. Masterton later exited the organisation, though the bank subsequently acknowledged that her work had been produced in good faith.\r\nCriminal Proceedings and Convictions\r\nThe case reached court in 2017. Six individuals were convicted and received a combined total of 47 years in prison. Lynden Scourfield was jailed for 11 years and 3 months, David Mills for 15 years and Mark Dobson for four and a half years\r\nThe judge described the activity as \"sustained and deliberate exploitation of legitimate businesses\".\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds Banking Group established a compensation process known as the Griggs Review, but this process was widely criticised by victims and independent observers, who argued that it understated losses and applied restrictive methodologies.\r\nA subsequent independent review in 2019 identified significant shortcomings in the original compensation scheme.\r\nOver time, the total financial impact on the bank has grown substantially. By 2026, estimated costs, including compensation and associated expenses, have reached approximately £1.3 billion.\r\nDespite this, many affected individuals maintain that financial settlements have not addressed the full extent of the damage to this day.\r\nThe Dobbs Review and Unresolved Questions\r\nAttention has since shifted to questions of institutional accountability.\r\nIn 2017, an independent review was commissioned to examine whether senior executives were aware of the fraud and whether there had been any failure to disclose it appropriately.\r\nBut even as of today (April 2026), the review has not been fully published.\r\nThe delay has been attributed to the scale of documentation and the process of allowing individuals named in the report to respond prior to release. However, the length of time involved has led to criticism from politicians, campaign groups, and victims. Concerns remain that any eventual publication may be limited in scope.\r\nFrom Banking Hub to Banking Desert\r\nMeanwhile, as we all know, banking has changed with the advent of the internet, the closing of branches and the introduction of 'challenger banks' such as Monzo, Starling and Revolut. \r\nFor many people in Reading, Post Offices now handle basic transactions such as deposits and withdrawals, and there are also ongoing discussions about shared banking hubs, where multiple institutions provide in-person banking services on a rotating basis.\r\nThese solutions address some practical needs but do not replicate the role previously played by local branches. The move online is permanent.\r\nThe story of banking in Reading now spans nearly a thousand years, from physical coin production and local lending relationships to digital systems and remote services.\r\nThe HBOS Reading scandal exposed failures in oversight and accountability within that system.\r\nThe closure of Woodley’s final bank reflects a different transformation: the gradual removal of physical banking from everyday life. But many of those involved in the Reading banking scandal may not be sorry to see them go.\r\n \r\n ", "summary": "As Woodley's last bank branch closes, we trace Reading's financial history from 12th-century monastic administration to the rise and fall of local banks, culminating in the devastating HBOS fraud scandal.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T09:43:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-07-23T09:49:02.647537+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/07/f03787b6.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/07/f03787b6.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Reading Banking Scandal", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1883, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "
As the final bank branch in Woodley prepares to close, the steady disappearance of everyday banking is an issue for many DIngs. Access to cash, in-person advice, and basic services has been reduced to a small number of branches and Post Offices.
\r\nFinancial activity in the area can be traced back to the 12th century, when Reading Abbey operated as a centre of economic administration. It managed land, collected revenues, and even operated a mint under royal authority. It had its own treasury on the second story between the South Transept and the Chapter House where valuables, coins, documents and books were kept.
\r\nIn later centuries, local banking became more commercial. By the late 18th century, local institutions such as the Simonds Bank were serving regional businesses and issuing their own banknotes. The bank, founded by the brewing family was founded in 1791 by William Blackall Simonds and amalgamated with Barclays Bank in 1913.
\r\nOther local banks included Stephens, Blandy and Co., set up in the late 1700s by the Stephens and Blandy families and acquired by Lloyds Bank in 1889.
\r\nThe Reading Savings Bank was established as a mutual society in 1817 by local Trustees and was eventually absorbed into the TSB (Trustee Savings Bank) network.
\r\nJ & C Simonds and Co. was founded in 1814 by John & Charles Simonds as a spin-off/re-founding of the original Simonds Bank, this was also eventually merged into Barclays.
\r\nReading & High Wycombe Building Society was another local mutual society. For much of the early 20th century, it was the go-to institution for local workers looking to buy homes in the Berkshire and Buckinghamshire area. In December 1956, the Reading & High Wycombe Building Society merged into the Bristol & West Building Society - part of a larger trend where regional societies joined forces to compete with national players. Then Bristol & West was bought by the Bank of Ireland in 1997. Later, in 2009, the branch network and savings business of Bristol & West were transferred to the Britannia Building Society and Britannia then merged with the Co-operative Bank.
\r\nDuring the 1980s and 1990s, all major banks and building societies maintained a presence in Reading town centre. At one point there were nearly fifty branches in the area, at a time when banking relied on in-person services, local decision-making, and regular customer interaction.
\r\nFrom the 1990s onwards, this expansive branch network in the town began to unwind. Digital banking reduced demand for physical branches, and banks consolidated their networks. Building societies were taken over by banks. Closures followed in sequence. Today there are fewer than twenty bank branches in the area, although Indian bank ICICI recently bucked the trend by opening a branch on Kings Road. The Barclays Bank on Broad St became The Botanist, the Lloyds Bank in Market Place became Market House. The old advertising slogan that 'your bank has become a nice wine bar' was very true in Reading.
\r\nBut as this quiet decline was happening, a much larger scandal was unfolding in an unassuming bank branch in Reading. - during the early decades of the 21st century, the town has been at the centre of one of the most serious banking frauds in modern British history.
\r\nIn the early years of the 21st century, a major banking scandal unfolded in Reading that exposed profound failures within Britain’s financial system. Centred on the Reading branch of HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland), the affair combined fraud, corruption, regulatory failure and institutional denial. Its consequences were devastating—not only for small business owners, but also for high-profile figures such as Noel Edmonds.
\r\nAt first glance, the HBOS branch in Reading appeared typical of a regional banking hub. Behind its operations, however, a coordinated fraud was developing within the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a division intended to support struggling businesses. But instead of recovery, the unit became a mechanism for extraction.
\r\nThe central figure behind the scandal was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with authority over distressed business lending. He worked closely with David Mills, a turnaround consultant later described in court as having \"an unusually exploitative role\" in the relationship.
\r\nThe fraud followed a consistent pattern: businesses in difficulty were directed toward a specific consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services. Large and often inappropriate loans were approved under the premise of restructuring, with high consultancy fees imposed, rapidly draining company resources. As a result, businesses collapsed under the combined weight of debt and fees.
\r\nThe outcome was predictable. Companies failed, owners were left insolvent and funds were diverted through the consultancy network to those involved in the scheme to fund lifestyles that included luxury travel, expensive assets, and personal excess.
\r\nThe consequences extended beyond financial loss. Many business owners lost livelihoods, homes, and long-standing enterprises.
\r\nThe scale was immense. The fraud is estimated to have cost around £245 million, with dozens of small and medium-sized enterprises driven into insolvency.
\r\nOne of the most prominent cases was that of Noel Edmonds. His company encountered the Reading operation during the mid-2000s, after which he argued that its decline was directly linked to the fraud. He later described severe personal strain, including a period of acute mental distress. Over time, he became the most visible public advocate for victims, pursuing compensation from Lloyds Banking Group, which acquired HBOS in 2009.
\r\nHis campaign brought sustained attention to the issue, including public criticism of the bank’s handling of compensation.
\r\nConcerns about the Reading operation had been raised years before formal action was taken.
\r\nAmong the earliest and most persistent whistleblowers were Paul and Nikki Turner, whose own business had been affected by the practices at the branch. After investigating independently, they compiled evidence linking internal bank decisions with external consultancy activity. Despite presenting this material to authorities, progress was slow. It was not until 2011 that Thames Valley Police launched a formal investigation into their claims.
\r\nAt the same time, internal concerns were also being documented. In 2013, a senior risk officer, Sally Masterton, produced a report indicating that the bank had prior knowledge of serious issues connected to Reading. The report was initially dismissed. Masterton later exited the organisation, though the bank subsequently acknowledged that her work had been produced in good faith.
\r\nThe case reached court in 2017. Six individuals were convicted and received a combined total of 47 years in prison. Lynden Scourfield was jailed for 11 years and 3 months, David Mills for 15 years and Mark Dobson for four and a half years
\r\nThe judge described the activity as \"sustained and deliberate exploitation of legitimate businesses\".
\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds Banking Group established a compensation process known as the Griggs Review, but this process was widely criticised by victims and independent observers, who argued that it understated losses and applied restrictive methodologies.
\r\nA subsequent independent review in 2019 identified significant shortcomings in the original compensation scheme.
\r\nOver time, the total financial impact on the bank has grown substantially. By 2026, estimated costs, including compensation and associated expenses, have reached approximately £1.3 billion.
\r\nDespite this, many affected individuals maintain that financial settlements have not addressed the full extent of the damage to this day.
\r\nAttention has since shifted to questions of institutional accountability.
\r\nIn 2017, an independent review was commissioned to examine whether senior executives were aware of the fraud and whether there had been any failure to disclose it appropriately.
\r\nBut even as of today (April 2026), the review has not been fully published.
\r\nThe delay has been attributed to the scale of documentation and the process of allowing individuals named in the report to respond prior to release. However, the length of time involved has led to criticism from politicians, campaign groups, and victims. Concerns remain that any eventual publication may be limited in scope.
\r\nMeanwhile, as we all know, banking has changed with the advent of the internet, the closing of branches and the introduction of 'challenger banks' such as Monzo, Starling and Revolut.
\r\nFor many people in Reading, Post Offices now handle basic transactions such as deposits and withdrawals, and there are also ongoing discussions about shared banking hubs, where multiple institutions provide in-person banking services on a rotating basis.
\r\nThese solutions address some practical needs but do not replicate the role previously played by local branches. The move online is permanent.
\r\nThe story of banking in Reading now spans nearly a thousand years, from physical coin production and local lending relationships to digital systems and remote services.
\r\nThe HBOS Reading scandal exposed failures in oversight and accountability within that system.
\r\nThe closure of Woodley’s final bank reflects a different transformation: the gradual removal of physical banking from everyday life. But many of those involved in the Reading banking scandal may not be sorry to see them go.
\r\n\r\n
", "description": "As Woodley's last bank branch closes, we trace Reading's financial history from 12th-century monastic administration to the rise and fall of local banks, culminating in the devastating HBOS fraud scandal.", "dateModified": "2026-07-23T09:49:02.647537+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-04-01T09:43:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-banking-scandal/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "320", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-cote/", "title": "Eating Out - C\u00f4te", "content_html": "
\u00a0
\nWe decided that it was time for a proper, grown up review. You know, like the ones Fay Maschler used to write, or AA Gill or Grace Dent before they gave up the booze.
\nTime to go back to the nineties, or even eighties, when a business lunch was fun and nothing got done in afternoons beyond moving on to find somewhere for dinner and another drink.
\nYes, time for a retro review and a bit of nostalgia because the subject of today's review is C\u00f4te, that stalwart of French brasseries (or is it bistros ?) - a surviving chain that has long ago seen off the likes of Pierre Victoire and Cafe Rouge.
\nThe reason for nostalgia isn't so much the retro menu, but the decision in the week of our visit by Reading Borough Council to allow the redevelopment of swathes of Oracle Riverside into flats.
\nSo the local C\u00f4te will be no longer.
\nThis has been a stalwart, and I have regularly visited both the Reading and Wokingham branches over the years. It's just the place for a good, solid boozy lunch or a Sunday dinner with the extended family. Or a meal after an early evening movie - yes the Vue cinema complex is also going, to be replaced with a smaller number of smaller screens apparently.
\nRecently C\u00f4te emphasised their 'back to the future ' move to become more French so I was interested to see the latest menu.
\nWhich is really not that French. However, the menus at your typical French cafe is no longer that French. They have been Macdonalised with a pasta on the side. Indeed, the food quality at those French cafes still surviving (Uber Eats conquers the world..) caused so much consternation that the French government considered introducing an 'appelation' standard for cafes
\nThe lunch menu is OK value but really short on French mains (arguably steak frites is the only 'French' main course on the menu).\u00a0
\nWe were here for a proper lunch so a bottle of Picpoul and some of the magnificent and huge fourgasse (a pretzel shaped bread) with onion and cheese toppings was perfect as we caught up. The charcutterie was a bit disappointing - some saussicon sec, which my wife loves and I loathe, with Parma ham (not so French) along with remoulade, confit cucumbers and a dash of rocket. Totally pathetic compared to what you can get at Carluccios or Vino Vitae, albeit for a bit more money. The meat also came with some bread and butter, I should add. I have never been served butter in a French restaurant without asking... But this is Reading.
\nStill, we chatted and grazed. and drank and grazed. This was the week after serious defeats in the Six Nations, which both of use tried to ignore, but there was always that undercurrent of Celtic defeatism and we debated the games endlessly anyway (G is a proud Scot despite his Saesnach accent.)
\nAfter an hour or so we decided that a main should be ordered. The special - Breton Fish Soup - was chosen by both of us, eschewing the burger and pasta dishes that have contaminated that 'back to the future'\u00a0 menu.
\nThis was a rich tomatoey/paprika broth (technically making it a Basque stew not a Breton stew in my view), with lots of mussels and some salmon plus leeks and potatoes. It was delicious, but not fully satisfying.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/0b5af54f3c67.webp\")
A fishy soup is easy. This had a bit of depth, but I knew I could do much better at home. As a \u00a318 special it was more than passable, but I spent most of the meal reflecting on what it lacked (depth, dill...)
\nAn hour or so later - I did warn you that we were doing this properly, didn't I ? - we went for the puds. A chocolate praline tart with ice cream and a pistachio creme brulee that was, well, a chocolate ganache with ice cream and a mushy bit of pistachio loveliness. Nothing brilliant, nothing bad and probably a thousand calories between us that I and G never needed. But when you're in your sixties and seventeen stone already, the voice of your GP in you ear is a mere whisper compared to your tinnitus.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/c84f4feac46d.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nC\u00f4te is run, thank the heavens, by a UK company. You know, those people climbing lamposts with union jacks and selling out the UK to the US by endlessly using Google, Facebook, Amazon, X et al. Yes, you guessed it. We had a bottle of a very nice Cotes du Provence (yes, i know, we went all Saturday Kitchen with a pink wine..) - you will not go wrong with the wine list here - and conversation became a bit more intense.
\nThe US has contaminated the world. Its businesses dominate us, but we do not realise, and even French cuisince has fallen foul to the dreadful burger, and in France your village bistro now has a deep fat frier instead of a chef.
\nAnd C\u00f4te is now a symptom of this. A good hybrid of the traditional French brasserie with a cheap British pub, heading the way of an American diner.
\nYou can eat so well here, for a reasonable price, but this is not high cuisine and it is not what you can eat at my favourite French bistr\u00f4t (for the record, Saccerre on the Rue des Bretanges in the Marais, which was my local for one wonderful year).
\nThe food is good, the service at the Reading branch is perfect, the location, until they tear it down, is quite nice - this is a huge space on two levels with massive windows on the drab concrete culloiur that is the River Kennet at this point. It sits opposite LSB, where you can have a slightly better experience for a slightly greater outlay.
\nSo, job done. At around four o'clock we ran through the endless, pouring rain to Market House for a 'debrief' and agreed that we had had a perfect 80s style boozy lunch with bottles of Picpoul, Graves and Cotes du Provence.
The Reading branch is directly owned and not a franchise and the staff diod not know what the future held. I dearly hope that they will find a new slot in one of our many empty premises and just carry on, but really go back to the future with their menu and make it vraiment francais.
\u00a0
\nWe decided that it was time for a proper, grown up review. You know, like the ones Fay Maschler used to write, or AA Gill or Grace Dent before they gave up the booze.
\nTime to go back to the nineties, or even eighties, when a business lunch was fun and nothing got done in afternoons beyond moving on to find somewhere for dinner and another drink.
\nYes, time for a retro review and a bit of nostalgia because the subject of today's review is C\u00f4te, that stalwart of French brasseries (or is it bistros ?) - a surviving chain that has long ago seen off the likes of Pierre Victoire and Cafe Rouge.
\nThe reason for nostalgia isn't so much the retro menu, but the decision in the week of our visit by Reading Borough Council to allow the redevelopment of swathes of Oracle Riverside into flats.
\nSo the local C\u00f4te will be no longer.
\nThis has been a stalwart, and I have regularly visited both the Reading and Wokingham branches over the years. It's just the place for a good, solid boozy lunch or a Sunday dinner with the extended family. Or a meal after an early evening movie - yes the Vue cinema complex is also going, to be replaced with a smaller number of smaller screens apparently.
\nRecently C\u00f4te emphasised their 'back to the future ' move to become more French so I was interested to see the latest menu.
\nWhich is really not that French. However, the menus at your typical French cafe is no longer that French. They have been Macdonalised with a pasta on the side. Indeed, the food quality at those French cafes still surviving (Uber Eats conquers the world..) caused so much consternation that the French government considered introducing an 'appelation' standard for cafes
\nThe lunch menu is OK value but really short on French mains (arguably steak frites is the only 'French' main course on the menu).\u00a0
\nWe were here for a proper lunch so a bottle of Picpoul and some of the magnificent and huge fourgasse (a pretzel shaped bread) with onion and cheese toppings was perfect as we caught up. The charcutterie was a bit disappointing - some saussicon sec, which my wife loves and I loathe, with Parma ham (not so French) along with remoulade, confit cucumbers and a dash of rocket. Totally pathetic compared to what you can get at Carluccios or Vino Vitae, albeit for a bit more money. The meat also came with some bread and butter, I should add. I have never been served butter in a French restaurant without asking... But this is Reading.
\nStill, we chatted and grazed. and drank and grazed. This was the week after serious defeats in the Six Nations, which both of use tried to ignore, but there was always that undercurrent of Celtic defeatism and we debated the games endlessly anyway (G is a proud Scot despite his Saesnach accent.)
\nAfter an hour or so we decided that a main should be ordered. The special - Breton Fish Soup - was chosen by both of us, eschewing the burger and pasta dishes that have contaminated that 'back to the future'\u00a0 menu.
\nThis was a rich tomatoey/paprika broth (technically making it a Basque stew not a Breton stew in my view), with lots of mussels and some salmon plus leeks and potatoes. It was delicious, but not fully satisfying.\u00a0
\n
A fishy soup is easy. This had a bit of depth, but I knew I could do much better at home. As a \u00a318 special it was more than passable, but I spent most of the meal reflecting on what it lacked (depth, dill...)
\nAn hour or so later - I did warn you that we were doing this properly, didn't I ? - we went for the puds. A chocolate praline tart with ice cream and a pistachio creme brulee that was, well, a chocolate ganache with ice cream and a mushy bit of pistachio loveliness. Nothing brilliant, nothing bad and probably a thousand calories between us that I and G never needed. But when you're in your sixties and seventeen stone already, the voice of your GP in you ear is a mere whisper compared to your tinnitus.
\n
\u00a0
\nC\u00f4te is run, thank the heavens, by a UK company. You know, those people climbing lamposts with union jacks and selling out the UK to the US by endlessly using Google, Facebook, Amazon, X et al. Yes, you guessed it. We had a bottle of a very nice Cotes du Provence (yes, i know, we went all Saturday Kitchen with a pink wine..) - you will not go wrong with the wine list here - and conversation became a bit more intense.
\nThe US has contaminated the world. Its businesses dominate us, but we do not realise, and even French cuisince has fallen foul to the dreadful burger, and in France your village bistro now has a deep fat frier instead of a chef.
\nAnd C\u00f4te is now a symptom of this. A good hybrid of the traditional French brasserie with a cheap British pub, heading the way of an American diner.
\nYou can eat so well here, for a reasonable price, but this is not high cuisine and it is not what you can eat at my favourite French bistr\u00f4t (for the record, Saccerre on the Rue des Bretanges in the Marais, which was my local for one wonderful year).
\nThe food is good, the service at the Reading branch is perfect, the location, until they tear it down, is quite nice - this is a huge space on two levels with massive windows on the drab concrete culloiur that is the River Kennet at this point. It sits opposite LSB, where you can have a slightly better experience for a slightly greater outlay.
\nSo, job done. At around four o'clock we ran through the endless, pouring rain to Market House for a 'debrief' and agreed that we had had a perfect 80s style boozy lunch with bottles of Picpoul, Graves and Cotes du Provence.
The Reading branch is directly owned and not a franchise and the staff diod not know what the future held. I dearly hope that they will find a new slot in one of our many empty premises and just carry on, but really go back to the future with their menu and make it vraiment francais.
Many innovations have come out of the University of Reading. Here’s a look at some of them.
Reading is arguably the world leader in atmospheric science. The university has operated continuous weather observation since 1901, making its datasets among the longest-running in the world. It famously hosts the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and maintains a partnership with the Met Office that is unrivaled globally. In 2026, this collaboration added the Advanced Forecasting and Environmental Services Partnership (AFESP), a £30 million initiative pushing the boundaries of local weather prediction and climate resilience. Reading atmospheric scientists helped refine understanding of the Walker Circulation, a fundamental atmospheric circulation pattern affecting El Niño and La Niña.
Climate Stripes: those stark vertical blue-to-red bars representing global temperature rises—you’ve seen a University of Reading invention. Created by Professor Ed Hawkins, these stripes have become a universal visual shorthand for climate change, appearing on everything from the cover of The Economist to the main stage at Glastonbury.
\r\nThe \"Reading Rule\" & Typography: Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication is the gold standard for legibility research. The \"Reading Rule\" refers to their groundbreaking evidence-based principles for typography, ensuring that information—from medicine labels to road signs—is legible for everyone, including those with visual impairments.
\r\nNutrigenomics: Can an apple a day truly keep the doctor away? Reading’s researchers have proven it. Leading work in nutrigenomics has identified how specific compounds in apples and tea (flavonoids) can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, bridging the gap between diet and long-term cardiovascular health.
\r\nThe Silchester Dig: Reading leads one of the most significant ongoing archaeological excavations in the world. The Silchester Dig at the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum has rewritten our understanding of Roman-British life, using advanced DNA analysis to trace the origins of its ancient inhabitants.
\r\nSustainable Food: In 2026, the university is at the cutting edge of \"cultivated meat\" research. Projects led by scientists like Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos are using red yeast and cellular agriculture to create sustainable, slaughter-free meat that mimics the flavor and texture of the real thing, helping young adults transition to planet-friendly diets.
\r\n", "content_text": "Many innovations have come out of the University of Reading. Here’s a look at some of them.Reading is arguably the world leader in atmospheric science. The university has operated continuous weather observation since 1901, making its datasets among the longest-running in the world. It famously hosts the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and maintains a partnership with the Met Office that is unrivaled globally. In 2026, this collaboration added the Advanced Forecasting and Environmental Services Partnership (AFESP), a £30 million initiative pushing the boundaries of local weather prediction and climate resilience. Reading atmospheric scientists helped refine understanding of the Walker Circulation, a fundamental atmospheric circulation pattern affecting El Niño and La Niña.\r\nClimate Stripes: those stark vertical blue-to-red bars representing global temperature rises—you’ve seen a University of Reading invention. Created by Professor Ed Hawkins, these stripes have become a universal visual shorthand for climate change, appearing on everything from the cover of The Economist to the main stage at Glastonbury.\r\nThe \"Reading Rule\" & Typography: Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication is the gold standard for legibility research. The \"Reading Rule\" refers to their groundbreaking evidence-based principles for typography, ensuring that information—from medicine labels to road signs—is legible for everyone, including those with visual impairments.\r\nNutrigenomics: Can an apple a day truly keep the doctor away? Reading’s researchers have proven it. Leading work in nutrigenomics has identified how specific compounds in apples and tea (flavonoids) can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, bridging the gap between diet and long-term cardiovascular health.\r\nThe Silchester Dig: Reading leads one of the most significant ongoing archaeological excavations in the world. The Silchester Dig at the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum has rewritten our understanding of Roman-British life, using advanced DNA analysis to trace the origins of its ancient inhabitants.\r\nSustainable Food: In 2026, the university is at the cutting edge of \"cultivated meat\" research. Projects led by scientists like Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos are using red yeast and cellular agriculture to create sustainable, slaughter-free meat that mimics the flavor and texture of the real thing, helping young adults transition to planet-friendly diets.\r\n ", "summary": "Discover how the University of Reading is shaping the future with world-leading innovations in atmospheric science, climate change visualization, typography, nutrigenomics, archaeology, and sustainable food.", "date_published": "2026-03-24T15:48:49.663798+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-24T15:48:49.664435+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/e557fe87.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/e557fe87.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Made In Reading: University's Groundbreaking Innovations", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 403, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "
Many innovations have come out of the University of Reading. Here’s a look at some of them.
Reading is arguably the world leader in atmospheric science. The university has operated continuous weather observation since 1901, making its datasets among the longest-running in the world. It famously hosts the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and maintains a partnership with the Met Office that is unrivaled globally. In 2026, this collaboration added the Advanced Forecasting and Environmental Services Partnership (AFESP), a £30 million initiative pushing the boundaries of local weather prediction and climate resilience. Reading atmospheric scientists helped refine understanding of the Walker Circulation, a fundamental atmospheric circulation pattern affecting El Niño and La Niña.
Climate Stripes: those stark vertical blue-to-red bars representing global temperature rises—you’ve seen a University of Reading invention. Created by Professor Ed Hawkins, these stripes have become a universal visual shorthand for climate change, appearing on everything from the cover of The Economist to the main stage at Glastonbury.
\r\nThe \"Reading Rule\" & Typography: Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication is the gold standard for legibility research. The \"Reading Rule\" refers to their groundbreaking evidence-based principles for typography, ensuring that information—from medicine labels to road signs—is legible for everyone, including those with visual impairments.
\r\nNutrigenomics: Can an apple a day truly keep the doctor away? Reading’s researchers have proven it. Leading work in nutrigenomics has identified how specific compounds in apples and tea (flavonoids) can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, bridging the gap between diet and long-term cardiovascular health.
\r\nThe Silchester Dig: Reading leads one of the most significant ongoing archaeological excavations in the world. The Silchester Dig at the Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum has rewritten our understanding of Roman-British life, using advanced DNA analysis to trace the origins of its ancient inhabitants.
\r\nSustainable Food: In 2026, the university is at the cutting edge of \"cultivated meat\" research. Projects led by scientists like Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos are using red yeast and cellular agriculture to create sustainable, slaughter-free meat that mimics the flavor and texture of the real thing, helping young adults transition to planet-friendly diets.
\r\n", "description": "Discover how the University of Reading is shaping the future with world-leading innovations in atmospheric science, climate change visualization, typography, nutrigenomics, archaeology, and sustainable food.", "dateModified": "2026-03-24T15:48:49.664435+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-03-24T15:48:49.663798+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/made-in-reading-universitys-groundbreaking-innovations/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "318", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/university-or-property-developer/", "title": "University Or Property Developer ?", "content_html": "
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/626e4debe637.png\")
\u00a0
\nVery few of us living in Reading realise how much of the region is owned or controlled by the local University. Over the past decade, Reading has moved from being a solid if unspectacular British research university into a bold experiment in territorial reinvention, revenue diversification and global ambition, generating controversy and antipathy in its wake.
\nIf Reading\u2019s traditional strengths \u2014 meteorology, environmental science, business education \u2014 still anchor its reputation, they are now overlaid with an ambitious slate of development strategies. In these straitened days for higher education with threats coming from our own government's immigration policies, inflation, increasing global competition and a general devaluation in degrees and higher degrees in general in the wake of factors such as AI, it is perhaps only prudent that the University of Reading is looking after its balance sheet. But is this right for an academic institution ?
\nReading currently maintains an investment asset portfolio of \u00a3307.6 million. While this represents a reasonably robust position for a mid-tier UK institution, which has helped the university narrow its annual operating loss to \u00a310.8 million, it highlights a chasm when placed on the scales of international finance.
\nWithin the UK, the University of Reading sits comfortably in the upper-middle tier of wealth, but remains dwarfed by the \"Oxbridge\" behemoths. For the fiscal year ending July 2025, the University of Oxford reported a total consolidated endowment (including its constituent colleges) of \u00a39.28 billion. To put that into perspective, Oxford\u2019s endowment is roughly 30 times larger than Reading\u2019s.
\nA single Oxford college, St John\u2019s, holds an endowment of approximately \u00a3790 million\u2014more than double the wealth of the entire University of Reading.
\nThe comparison becomes even more stark when looking across the Atlantic. While Reading manages a portfolio in the hundreds of millions, top-tier US institutions operate with sovereign-wealth-level capital. As of the 2025 fiscal year, Harvard University remains the wealthiest academic institution in the world, with an endowment valued at $56.9 billion (approx. \u00a344.9 billion) and the University of Texas has \u00a334 billion in its coffers. Much of this wealth comes from donations from alumni, something nearly unheard of in the UK.
\nSo, it is therefore perhaps not surprising that the University has become involved in extensive commercial activities to copmpete in what is a global academic market.
The uni's commercial ventures range from garden village planning on thousands of acres of its farmland to the development of world-class film and TV studios, overseas campuses and global brand building.\u00a0 At its centenary, let's take a deep dive into the uni's balance sheet.
'Cine Valley' and Shinfield Studios: Hollywood on the M4 ?
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/efc0c2cd6249.jpeg\")
\u00a0
\nOn land owned by the University of Reading at the Thames Valley Science Park - a business park the university has been developing since the mid-2010s - is Shinfield Studios,\u00a0a major film and television production campus with 18 sound stages, workshops, office space and backlot facilities.
\nOriginally announced with a long-term lease to LA-based investors and promoter Commonwealth Real Estate and envisaged as part of a broader \u201cCine Valley\u201d hub, Shinfield Studios is now one of the UK\u2019s significant new film production centres outside the traditional hubs near London and Pinewood. amonst productions completed or in progress are:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): One of the first major productions to use the site; the studio was used to recreate New York City streetscapes.
Greenland: Migration (Expected 2026): The sequel to the Gerard Butler disaster thriller Greenland utilized the stages for its post-apocalyptic sequences.
\nThe Magic Faraway Tree (Expected 2026): An adaptation of the Enid Blyton classic starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
The Acolyte (Disney+): This Star Wars series used Shinfield as its primary production base, including the construction of a large exterior set on the backlot.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix): Used the studio's soundstages for interior sequences of Regency-era London.
\nThe Agency: A political thriller series starring Michael Fassbender (remake of Le Bureau des L\u00e9gendes).
\nSquid Game: The Challenge (Netflix): Parts of the reality competition were filmed utilizing the studio's vast stage space.
\nEntertainment & Game Shows
Interestingly, despite being a cinematic hub, the studio has also hosted several high-profile UK TV shows:
99 to Beat (ITV): A game show hosted by Adam and Ryan Thomas.
\nLOL: Last One Laughing UK (Amazon Prime): The UK version of the global comedy format.
\nYou Bet! (ITV): A revival of the classic 90s challenge show.
\nIts proponents sell Shinfield as a \u00a3200m-plus investment expected to generate substantial inward economic activity \u2014 estimates have been as high as \u00a3500m per year \u2014 and thousands of jobs, both direct and indirect. However, in an era where a lot of production is now moving to data centres using AI, its long term viability is yet to be proven.
\nReading\u2019s own 2023\u201324 financial statements framed the development as a strategic play: the studios help Reading pivot toward a creative economy cluster and expand employment beyond academia. The University does have courses in BA Film & Television: Focuses on filmmaking, TV studio production, cinematography, editing, and screenwriting, BA Film & Theatre: A joint approach exploring both screen and live performance, including set design and directing, BA Creative Writing: Often taken alongside English Literature or Art, focusing on narrative craft for various media and postgraduate courses in MA Creative Enterprise (Film or Theatre Pathways): A unique \"cross-over\" degree combining artistic practice with modules in management, law, and entrepreneurship from the Henley Business School, MA by Research (Film, Theatre & Television): A flexible, research-intensive programme where you can focus on a specific practical project or a theoretical dissertation, MA Fine Art: Focuses on contemporary professional practice, exhibitions, and curatorial initiatives and MA Communication Design: Pathways in Graphic Design, Book Design, and Typeface Design (Reading is world-renowned for typography).
\nThe facilities for the British Museum and the Natural History Museum are also located at the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) - it is important to distinguish this from the Thames Valley Park (confusingly called TVP), which is a separate commercial site in East Reading - home to Microsoft and Oracle - that the University does not own.
\nThe University of Reading holds the freehold of the land at the Science Park. The museums have established themselves there through long-term partnerships and lease agreements.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/37c6eb54b14f.jpg\")
The British Museum Archaeological Research Collection (BM_ARC), officially opened in 2024.\u00a0
\nThe Natural History Museum's \"Science and Digitisation Centre\" is currently under construction at TVBP, with the groundbreaking ceremony having taken place in September 2025. This project is backed by over \u00a3200 million in government investment and sits on land leased from the University.
\nThese facilities are part of a strategic research partnership. By co-locating, the museums can collaborate with University scientists on genomics, climate change, and archaeology; provide research opportunities and placements for University of Reading students and centralize their most fragile and important collections in high-tech, climate-controlled environments that are more modern than their historic London basements.
\nTVBP also houses The Gateway Building, an innovation center for health-tech and environmental startups and Rutherford Cancer Centre, a high-tech medical facility.
\nCritics have questioned whether promises of local jobs and skill pipelines \u2014 including apprenticeships and Screen Berkshire training initiatives \u2014 will materialise for current residents or primarily benefit external contractors and high-skill migrants.
\n\u00a0
\nIn March 2025, the University, in partnership with private developers, unveiled plans for Loddon Garden Village, a proposed mixed-use community between Shinfield, Arborfield and Sindlesham, poised to deliver approximately 4,000 homes along with schools, employment space and civic infrastructure. The university\u2019s role stems from its position as trustee of Hall Farm, land it owns through the National Institute for Research in Dairying (NIRD) Trust.
\nThe farm was purchased in 1947 by the NIRD. At the time, the Institute needed to expand its farming activities beyond its original site at Church Farm in Shinfield. The 299 acre Arborfield Hall Farm was acquired primarily to provide additional grazing land and forage crops for young livestock.
\nThe NIRD was a research body closely associated with the University. While it operated as a distinct entity for many years, the University of Reading acted as the sole trustee of the NIRD Trust. This meant that while the land was technically held for the specific purpose of dairy research, it was under the University\u2019s administrative umbrella.
\nIn March 1985, the NIRD was officially dissolved as a separate research institute. Its functions and assets, including Hall Farm, were re-absorbed directly into the University of Reading. This transition consolidated the farm into the University's School of Agriculture, Policy and Development.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/62569f1e2f4f.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nTo its advocates, Loddon is a model for holistic, sustainability-led development: energy-efficient housing, integrated schooling and a massive new country park larger than Dinton Pastures, linked to existing green spaces. The scheme\u2019s architects and supporters in local government position it as a generational opportunity to rebuild the region\u2019s physical fabric and generate employment opportunities in s region where there is substantial demand for housing.
\nYet opposition has been fast and often visceral. Campaign groups like\u00a0Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE) argue that the submission fails national planning tests, including inadequate consideration of flood risk and infrastructure delivery \u2014 points raised by independent planning consultants in public examinations.
\nSome local representatives and residents express a distinct sense of betrayal. Shinfield, once a verdant village just south of Reading, now increasingly resembles a semii-urban town, as farmland gives way to housing estates and commercial developments. As one Wokingham councillor put it bluntly in 2021: \u201cThe University of Reading has turned Shinfield from village to town.\u201d
\nAnd this is not merely a quibble over development. At stake is the university\u2019s reputation and role in shaping the region\u2019s economy, whilst guarding its own coffers. For decades universities have been humdrum generators of human capital and research; now Reading is becoming a generator of actuarial risk, transport headaches and traffic modelling debates \u2014 responsibilities formerly well beyond their brief.\u00a0The very fact that a university serves as a master planner for nearly four thousand homes underscores how higher education institutions are evolving into actors in regional urban development, not just observers of it.
\n\u00a0
\nOverseas Expansion and the Malaysia Campus: Global Ambitions or Global Missteps?
\nLong before Loddon or Cine Valley made headlines, Reading pursued a different kind of geographical expansion: international campuses.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/f6b2ba5dd5c0.avif\")
The jewel in that strategy is the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM), launched in Educity, Iskandar Puteri, near Singapore. On the surface, this branch campus has flourished. Started with a few hundred students, UoRM saw its enrolment swell to record highs \u2014 nearly 950 students in 2024/25 \u2014 and celebrated its first decade alongside the UK campus\u2019s centenary ambitions.
\nBut beneath the celebratory press releases lies a more complicated narrative familiar across the UK sector: overseas campuses can be strategically valuable yet financially fraught.
\nIn the late 2010s, investigative reporting and sector analyses flagged that Reading\u2019s Malaysia campus had been slower to recruit than expected and had incurred higher costs than anticipated. Critics suggested that expansion was undertaken without sufficient market analysis, undershooting demand forecasts and overestimating local economic conditions. Whether this represents a learning curve of a globalizing university or a cautionary lesson about export-oriented education ventures remains a subject of debate among governance analysts and staff. The UK government's policies, scrambling to appeal to the extreme right and curtail immigration has also dented the UK's brand as an academic provider.
\nIn 2026, the UK government ditched its target of attracting more international students, instead urging institutions to open campuses abroad to diversify revenue and reduce universities\u2019 reliance on fees from overseas enrolments at home. For Reading, this means its Malaysia campus \u2014 and ambitions for further global partnerships \u2014 may gain new strategic value even as domestic student recruitment becomes more competitive. But the 'UK uni' brand may not be seen as attractive to stuents hoping to study, and perhaps obtain jobs in the UK.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Global Classroom: International Students and Institutional Risk
\nReading today hosts a truly international student body - approximately 27\u201328% international students, well above the UK average, drawn from over 160 countries. International students are not merely a cultural asset; they are a strategic lifeline. Their fees contribute disproportionately to university revenues at a time when UK government teaching grants have been frozen for years and domestic fee caps remain largely static.
\nChina is the largest source countries for the University. This is bolstered by the NUIST Reading Academy, a joint partnership with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Many Chinese students study at the Reading campus for the final year(s) of their degrees, particularly in sciences, business, and economics.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/4ace272456b2.jpg\")
But dependency on foreign students carries risk. National immigration politics, visa policy tightening and broader debates about overseas student numbers once buoyed universities\u2019 finances, but are now limiting growth prospects. Reading is hardly unique in feeling these headwinds, but its relative financial exposure to international income and its overseas campus investments make it a bellwether for mid-tier research universities navigating a volatile post-Brexit, post-pandemic environment.
\nStudent accommodation pressures compound the challenge. Local planning authorities have rejected large private developments outside campus boundaries on grounds they are inappropriate for educational use, reflecting tensions between community character and the university\u2019s expansion needs and on campus development have often been controversial - the proposed redevelopment of St Patrick's Hall drew severe criticism from local MP, Matt Rodda. This underscores a broader structural question: if universities are growth engines, are they also responsible for the infrastructure and housing that growth demands?
\n\u00a0
\nThe University of Reading stands at an inflection point familiar to many modern universities all over the world: the push to globalise, commercialise and diversify rendered through strategies that often strain local relationships and institutional coherence.
\nFrom Loddon Garden Village and Shinfield Studios to an ambitious international presence in Malaysia, Reading\u2019s leadership is embracing a vision of a university that is economic actor, regional developer and global brand. Whether this translates into sustained academic excellence and community goodwill \u2014 or becomes an overextension that dilutes academic focus \u2014 is an open question.
\nWhat is clear is this: Reading is no longer a quiet provincial university. It has become a case study in the ambitious reinvention of higher education, where the stakes are intellectual, economic and cultural \u2014 and where the conversations it now commands extend far beyond the green lawns of Whiteknights Park.
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\nVery few of us living in Reading realise how much of the region is owned or controlled by the local University. Over the past decade, Reading has moved from being a solid if unspectacular British research university into a bold experiment in territorial reinvention, revenue diversification and global ambition, generating controversy and antipathy in its wake.\nIf Reading\u2019s traditional strengths \u2014 meteorology, environmental science, business education \u2014 still anchor its reputation, they are now overlaid with an ambitious slate of development strategies. In these straitened days for higher education with threats coming from our own government's immigration policies, inflation, increasing global competition and a general devaluation in degrees and higher degrees in general in the wake of factors such as AI, it is perhaps only prudent that the University of Reading is looking after its balance sheet. But is this right for an academic institution ?\nReading currently maintains an investment asset portfolio of \u00a3307.6 million. While this represents a reasonably robust position for a mid-tier UK institution, which has helped the university narrow its annual operating loss to \u00a310.8 million, it highlights a chasm when placed on the scales of international finance.\nWithin the UK, the University of Reading sits comfortably in the upper-middle tier of wealth, but remains dwarfed by the \"Oxbridge\" behemoths. For the fiscal year ending July 2025, the University of Oxford reported a total consolidated endowment (including its constituent colleges) of \u00a39.28 billion. To put that into perspective, Oxford\u2019s endowment is roughly 30 times larger than Reading\u2019s.\nA single Oxford college, St John\u2019s, holds an endowment of approximately \u00a3790 million\u2014more than double the wealth of the entire University of Reading.\nThe comparison becomes even more stark when looking across the Atlantic. While Reading manages a portfolio in the hundreds of millions, top-tier US institutions operate with sovereign-wealth-level capital. As of the 2025 fiscal year, Harvard University remains the wealthiest academic institution in the world, with an endowment valued at $56.9 billion (approx. \u00a344.9 billion) and the University of Texas has \u00a334 billion in its coffers. Much of this wealth comes from donations from alumni, something nearly unheard of in the UK.\nSo, it is therefore perhaps not surprising that the University has become involved in extensive commercial activities to copmpete in what is a global academic market.The uni's commercial ventures range from garden village planning on thousands of acres of its farmland to the development of world-class film and TV studios, overseas campuses and global brand building.\u00a0 At its centenary, let's take a deep dive into the uni's balance sheet.\n'Cine Valley' and Shinfield Studios: Hollywood on the M4 ?\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nOn land owned by the University of Reading at the Thames Valley Science Park - a business park the university has been developing since the mid-2010s - is Shinfield Studios,\u00a0a major film and television production campus with 18 sound stages, workshops, office space and backlot facilities.\nOriginally announced with a long-term lease to LA-based investors and promoter Commonwealth Real Estate and envisaged as part of a broader \u201cCine Valley\u201d hub, Shinfield Studios is now one of the UK\u2019s significant new film production centres outside the traditional hubs near London and Pinewood. amonst productions completed or in progress are:Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): One of the first major productions to use the site; the studio was used to recreate New York City streetscapes.\nGreenland: Migration (Expected 2026): The sequel to the Gerard Butler disaster thriller Greenland utilized the stages for its post-apocalyptic sequences.\nThe Magic Faraway Tree (Expected 2026): An adaptation of the Enid Blyton classic starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.The Acolyte (Disney+): This Star Wars series used Shinfield as its primary production base, including the construction of a large exterior set on the backlot.\nQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix): Used the studio's soundstages for interior sequences of Regency-era London.\nThe Agency: A political thriller series starring Michael Fassbender (remake of Le Bureau des L\u00e9gendes).\nSquid Game: The Challenge (Netflix): Parts of the reality competition were filmed utilizing the studio's vast stage space.\nEntertainment & Game ShowsInterestingly, despite being a cinematic hub, the studio has also hosted several high-profile UK TV shows:\n99 to Beat (ITV): A game show hosted by Adam and Ryan Thomas.\nLOL: Last One Laughing UK (Amazon Prime): The UK version of the global comedy format.\nYou Bet! (ITV): A revival of the classic 90s challenge show.\nIts proponents sell Shinfield as a \u00a3200m-plus investment expected to generate substantial inward economic activity \u2014 estimates have been as high as \u00a3500m per year \u2014 and thousands of jobs, both direct and indirect. However, in an era where a lot of production is now moving to data centres using AI, its long term viability is yet to be proven.\nReading\u2019s own 2023\u201324 financial statements framed the development as a strategic play: the studios help Reading pivot toward a creative economy cluster and expand employment beyond academia. The University does have courses in BA Film & Television: Focuses on filmmaking, TV studio production, cinematography, editing, and screenwriting, BA Film & Theatre: A joint approach exploring both screen and live performance, including set design and directing, BA Creative Writing: Often taken alongside English Literature or Art, focusing on narrative craft for various media and postgraduate courses in MA Creative Enterprise (Film or Theatre Pathways): A unique \"cross-over\" degree combining artistic practice with modules in management, law, and entrepreneurship from the Henley Business School, MA by Research (Film, Theatre & Television): A flexible, research-intensive programme where you can focus on a specific practical project or a theoretical dissertation, MA Fine Art: Focuses on contemporary professional practice, exhibitions, and curatorial initiatives and MA Communication Design: Pathways in Graphic Design, Book Design, and Typeface Design (Reading is world-renowned for typography).\nThe facilities for the British Museum and the Natural History Museum are also located at the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) - it is important to distinguish this from the Thames Valley Park (confusingly called TVP), which is a separate commercial site in East Reading - home to Microsoft and Oracle - that the University does not own.\nThe University of Reading holds the freehold of the land at the Science Park. The museums have established themselves there through long-term partnerships and lease agreements.\n\nThe British Museum Archaeological Research Collection (BM_ARC), officially opened in 2024.\u00a0\nThe Natural History Museum's \"Science and Digitisation Centre\" is currently under construction at TVBP, with the groundbreaking ceremony having taken place in September 2025. This project is backed by over \u00a3200 million in government investment and sits on land leased from the University.\nThese facilities are part of a strategic research partnership. By co-locating, the museums can collaborate with University scientists on genomics, climate change, and archaeology; provide research opportunities and placements for University of Reading students and centralize their most fragile and important collections in high-tech, climate-controlled environments that are more modern than their historic London basements.\nTVBP also houses The Gateway Building, an innovation center for health-tech and environmental startups and Rutherford Cancer Centre, a high-tech medical facility.\nCritics have questioned whether promises of local jobs and skill pipelines \u2014 including apprenticeships and Screen Berkshire training initiatives \u2014 will materialise for current residents or primarily benefit external contractors and high-skill migrants.\n\u00a0\nThe Garden Village Gamble: University as Urban Developer\nIn March 2025, the University, in partnership with private developers, unveiled plans for Loddon Garden Village, a proposed mixed-use community between Shinfield, Arborfield and Sindlesham, poised to deliver approximately 4,000 homes along with schools, employment space and civic infrastructure. The university\u2019s role stems from its position as trustee of Hall Farm, land it owns through the National Institute for Research in Dairying (NIRD) Trust.\nThe farm was purchased in 1947 by the NIRD. At the time, the Institute needed to expand its farming activities beyond its original site at Church Farm in Shinfield. The 299 acre Arborfield Hall Farm was acquired primarily to provide additional grazing land and forage crops for young livestock.\nThe NIRD was a research body closely associated with the University. While it operated as a distinct entity for many years, the University of Reading acted as the sole trustee of the NIRD Trust. This meant that while the land was technically held for the specific purpose of dairy research, it was under the University\u2019s administrative umbrella.\nIn March 1985, the NIRD was officially dissolved as a separate research institute. Its functions and assets, including Hall Farm, were re-absorbed directly into the University of Reading. This transition consolidated the farm into the University's School of Agriculture, Policy and Development.\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nTo its advocates, Loddon is a model for holistic, sustainability-led development: energy-efficient housing, integrated schooling and a massive new country park larger than Dinton Pastures, linked to existing green spaces. The scheme\u2019s architects and supporters in local government position it as a generational opportunity to rebuild the region\u2019s physical fabric and generate employment opportunities in s region where there is substantial demand for housing.\nYet opposition has been fast and often visceral. Campaign groups like\u00a0Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE) argue that the submission fails national planning tests, including inadequate consideration of flood risk and infrastructure delivery \u2014 points raised by independent planning consultants in public examinations.\nSome local representatives and residents express a distinct sense of betrayal. Shinfield, once a verdant village just south of Reading, now increasingly resembles a semii-urban town, as farmland gives way to housing estates and commercial developments. As one Wokingham councillor put it bluntly in 2021: \u201cThe University of Reading has turned Shinfield from village to town.\u201d\nAnd this is not merely a quibble over development. At stake is the university\u2019s reputation and role in shaping the region\u2019s economy, whilst guarding its own coffers. For decades universities have been humdrum generators of human capital and research; now Reading is becoming a generator of actuarial risk, transport headaches and traffic modelling debates \u2014 responsibilities formerly well beyond their brief.\u00a0The very fact that a university serves as a master planner for nearly four thousand homes underscores how higher education institutions are evolving into actors in regional urban development, not just observers of it.\n\u00a0\nOverseas Expansion and the Malaysia Campus: Global Ambitions or Global Missteps?\nLong before Loddon or Cine Valley made headlines, Reading pursued a different kind of geographical expansion: international campuses.\n\nThe jewel in that strategy is the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM), launched in Educity, Iskandar Puteri, near Singapore. On the surface, this branch campus has flourished. Started with a few hundred students, UoRM saw its enrolment swell to record highs \u2014 nearly 950 students in 2024/25 \u2014 and celebrated its first decade alongside the UK campus\u2019s centenary ambitions.\nBut beneath the celebratory press releases lies a more complicated narrative familiar across the UK sector: overseas campuses can be strategically valuable yet financially fraught.\nIn the late 2010s, investigative reporting and sector analyses flagged that Reading\u2019s Malaysia campus had been slower to recruit than expected and had incurred higher costs than anticipated. Critics suggested that expansion was undertaken without sufficient market analysis, undershooting demand forecasts and overestimating local economic conditions. Whether this represents a learning curve of a globalizing university or a cautionary lesson about export-oriented education ventures remains a subject of debate among governance analysts and staff. The UK government's policies, scrambling to appeal to the extreme right and curtail immigration has also dented the UK's brand as an academic provider.\nIn 2026, the UK government ditched its target of attracting more international students, instead urging institutions to open campuses abroad to diversify revenue and reduce universities\u2019 reliance on fees from overseas enrolments at home. For Reading, this means its Malaysia campus \u2014 and ambitions for further global partnerships \u2014 may gain new strategic value even as domestic student recruitment becomes more competitive. But the 'UK uni' brand may not be seen as attractive to stuents hoping to study, and perhaps obtain jobs in the UK.\n\u00a0\nThe Global Classroom: International Students and Institutional Risk\nReading today hosts a truly international student body - approximately 27\u201328% international students, well above the UK average, drawn from over 160 countries. International students are not merely a cultural asset; they are a strategic lifeline. Their fees contribute disproportionately to university revenues at a time when UK government teaching grants have been frozen for years and domestic fee caps remain largely static.\nChina is the largest source countries for the University. This is bolstered by the NUIST Reading Academy, a joint partnership with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Many Chinese students study at the Reading campus for the final year(s) of their degrees, particularly in sciences, business, and economics.\n\nBut dependency on foreign students carries risk. National immigration politics, visa policy tightening and broader debates about overseas student numbers once buoyed universities\u2019 finances, but are now limiting growth prospects. Reading is hardly unique in feeling these headwinds, but its relative financial exposure to international income and its overseas campus investments make it a bellwether for mid-tier research universities navigating a volatile post-Brexit, post-pandemic environment.\nStudent accommodation pressures compound the challenge. Local planning authorities have rejected large private developments outside campus boundaries on grounds they are inappropriate for educational use, reflecting tensions between community character and the university\u2019s expansion needs and on campus development have often been controversial - the proposed redevelopment of St Patrick's Hall drew severe criticism from local MP, Matt Rodda. This underscores a broader structural question: if universities are growth engines, are they also responsible for the infrastructure and housing that growth demands?\n\u00a0\nAn Institution in Transition\n\u00a0\nThe University of Reading stands at an inflection point familiar to many modern universities all over the world: the push to globalise, commercialise and diversify rendered through strategies that often strain local relationships and institutional coherence.\nFrom Loddon Garden Village and Shinfield Studios to an ambitious international presence in Malaysia, Reading\u2019s leadership is embracing a vision of a university that is economic actor, regional developer and global brand. Whether this translates into sustained academic excellence and community goodwill \u2014 or becomes an overextension that dilutes academic focus \u2014 is an open question.\nWhat is clear is this: Reading is no longer a quiet provincial university. It has become a case study in the ambitious reinvention of higher education, where the stakes are intellectual, economic and cultural \u2014 and where the conversations it now commands extend far beyond the green lawns of Whiteknights Park.\n\u00a0", "summary": "The University of Reading is transforming into a major property developer and business innovator, venturing into film studios and global ambitions. Discover how its balance sheet is shaping its territorial reinvention.", "date_published": "2026-03-24T15:44:06.914461+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:15.175271+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/0d5b4ce0.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/0d5b4ce0.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "University Or Property Developer ?", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 2833, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "
\u00a0
\nVery few of us living in Reading realise how much of the region is owned or controlled by the local University. Over the past decade, Reading has moved from being a solid if unspectacular British research university into a bold experiment in territorial reinvention, revenue diversification and global ambition, generating controversy and antipathy in its wake.
\nIf Reading\u2019s traditional strengths \u2014 meteorology, environmental science, business education \u2014 still anchor its reputation, they are now overlaid with an ambitious slate of development strategies. In these straitened days for higher education with threats coming from our own government's immigration policies, inflation, increasing global competition and a general devaluation in degrees and higher degrees in general in the wake of factors such as AI, it is perhaps only prudent that the University of Reading is looking after its balance sheet. But is this right for an academic institution ?
\nReading currently maintains an investment asset portfolio of \u00a3307.6 million. While this represents a reasonably robust position for a mid-tier UK institution, which has helped the university narrow its annual operating loss to \u00a310.8 million, it highlights a chasm when placed on the scales of international finance.
\nWithin the UK, the University of Reading sits comfortably in the upper-middle tier of wealth, but remains dwarfed by the \"Oxbridge\" behemoths. For the fiscal year ending July 2025, the University of Oxford reported a total consolidated endowment (including its constituent colleges) of \u00a39.28 billion. To put that into perspective, Oxford\u2019s endowment is roughly 30 times larger than Reading\u2019s.
\nA single Oxford college, St John\u2019s, holds an endowment of approximately \u00a3790 million\u2014more than double the wealth of the entire University of Reading.
\nThe comparison becomes even more stark when looking across the Atlantic. While Reading manages a portfolio in the hundreds of millions, top-tier US institutions operate with sovereign-wealth-level capital. As of the 2025 fiscal year, Harvard University remains the wealthiest academic institution in the world, with an endowment valued at $56.9 billion (approx. \u00a344.9 billion) and the University of Texas has \u00a334 billion in its coffers. Much of this wealth comes from donations from alumni, something nearly unheard of in the UK.
\nSo, it is therefore perhaps not surprising that the University has become involved in extensive commercial activities to copmpete in what is a global academic market.
The uni's commercial ventures range from garden village planning on thousands of acres of its farmland to the development of world-class film and TV studios, overseas campuses and global brand building.\u00a0 At its centenary, let's take a deep dive into the uni's balance sheet.
'Cine Valley' and Shinfield Studios: Hollywood on the M4 ?
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nOn land owned by the University of Reading at the Thames Valley Science Park - a business park the university has been developing since the mid-2010s - is Shinfield Studios,\u00a0a major film and television production campus with 18 sound stages, workshops, office space and backlot facilities.
\nOriginally announced with a long-term lease to LA-based investors and promoter Commonwealth Real Estate and envisaged as part of a broader \u201cCine Valley\u201d hub, Shinfield Studios is now one of the UK\u2019s significant new film production centres outside the traditional hubs near London and Pinewood. amonst productions completed or in progress are:
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024): One of the first major productions to use the site; the studio was used to recreate New York City streetscapes.
Greenland: Migration (Expected 2026): The sequel to the Gerard Butler disaster thriller Greenland utilized the stages for its post-apocalyptic sequences.
\nThe Magic Faraway Tree (Expected 2026): An adaptation of the Enid Blyton classic starring Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
The Acolyte (Disney+): This Star Wars series used Shinfield as its primary production base, including the construction of a large exterior set on the backlot.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix): Used the studio's soundstages for interior sequences of Regency-era London.
\nThe Agency: A political thriller series starring Michael Fassbender (remake of Le Bureau des L\u00e9gendes).
\nSquid Game: The Challenge (Netflix): Parts of the reality competition were filmed utilizing the studio's vast stage space.
\nEntertainment & Game Shows
Interestingly, despite being a cinematic hub, the studio has also hosted several high-profile UK TV shows:
99 to Beat (ITV): A game show hosted by Adam and Ryan Thomas.
\nLOL: Last One Laughing UK (Amazon Prime): The UK version of the global comedy format.
\nYou Bet! (ITV): A revival of the classic 90s challenge show.
\nIts proponents sell Shinfield as a \u00a3200m-plus investment expected to generate substantial inward economic activity \u2014 estimates have been as high as \u00a3500m per year \u2014 and thousands of jobs, both direct and indirect. However, in an era where a lot of production is now moving to data centres using AI, its long term viability is yet to be proven.
\nReading\u2019s own 2023\u201324 financial statements framed the development as a strategic play: the studios help Reading pivot toward a creative economy cluster and expand employment beyond academia. The University does have courses in BA Film & Television: Focuses on filmmaking, TV studio production, cinematography, editing, and screenwriting, BA Film & Theatre: A joint approach exploring both screen and live performance, including set design and directing, BA Creative Writing: Often taken alongside English Literature or Art, focusing on narrative craft for various media and postgraduate courses in MA Creative Enterprise (Film or Theatre Pathways): A unique \"cross-over\" degree combining artistic practice with modules in management, law, and entrepreneurship from the Henley Business School, MA by Research (Film, Theatre & Television): A flexible, research-intensive programme where you can focus on a specific practical project or a theoretical dissertation, MA Fine Art: Focuses on contemporary professional practice, exhibitions, and curatorial initiatives and MA Communication Design: Pathways in Graphic Design, Book Design, and Typeface Design (Reading is world-renowned for typography).
\nThe facilities for the British Museum and the Natural History Museum are also located at the Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) - it is important to distinguish this from the Thames Valley Park (confusingly called TVP), which is a separate commercial site in East Reading - home to Microsoft and Oracle - that the University does not own.
\nThe University of Reading holds the freehold of the land at the Science Park. The museums have established themselves there through long-term partnerships and lease agreements.
\n
The British Museum Archaeological Research Collection (BM_ARC), officially opened in 2024.\u00a0
\nThe Natural History Museum's \"Science and Digitisation Centre\" is currently under construction at TVBP, with the groundbreaking ceremony having taken place in September 2025. This project is backed by over \u00a3200 million in government investment and sits on land leased from the University.
\nThese facilities are part of a strategic research partnership. By co-locating, the museums can collaborate with University scientists on genomics, climate change, and archaeology; provide research opportunities and placements for University of Reading students and centralize their most fragile and important collections in high-tech, climate-controlled environments that are more modern than their historic London basements.
\nTVBP also houses The Gateway Building, an innovation center for health-tech and environmental startups and Rutherford Cancer Centre, a high-tech medical facility.
\nCritics have questioned whether promises of local jobs and skill pipelines \u2014 including apprenticeships and Screen Berkshire training initiatives \u2014 will materialise for current residents or primarily benefit external contractors and high-skill migrants.
\n\u00a0
\nIn March 2025, the University, in partnership with private developers, unveiled plans for Loddon Garden Village, a proposed mixed-use community between Shinfield, Arborfield and Sindlesham, poised to deliver approximately 4,000 homes along with schools, employment space and civic infrastructure. The university\u2019s role stems from its position as trustee of Hall Farm, land it owns through the National Institute for Research in Dairying (NIRD) Trust.
\nThe farm was purchased in 1947 by the NIRD. At the time, the Institute needed to expand its farming activities beyond its original site at Church Farm in Shinfield. The 299 acre Arborfield Hall Farm was acquired primarily to provide additional grazing land and forage crops for young livestock.
\nThe NIRD was a research body closely associated with the University. While it operated as a distinct entity for many years, the University of Reading acted as the sole trustee of the NIRD Trust. This meant that while the land was technically held for the specific purpose of dairy research, it was under the University\u2019s administrative umbrella.
\nIn March 1985, the NIRD was officially dissolved as a separate research institute. Its functions and assets, including Hall Farm, were re-absorbed directly into the University of Reading. This transition consolidated the farm into the University's School of Agriculture, Policy and Development.
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nTo its advocates, Loddon is a model for holistic, sustainability-led development: energy-efficient housing, integrated schooling and a massive new country park larger than Dinton Pastures, linked to existing green spaces. The scheme\u2019s architects and supporters in local government position it as a generational opportunity to rebuild the region\u2019s physical fabric and generate employment opportunities in s region where there is substantial demand for housing.
\nYet opposition has been fast and often visceral. Campaign groups like\u00a0Save Our Loddon Valley Environment (SOLVE) argue that the submission fails national planning tests, including inadequate consideration of flood risk and infrastructure delivery \u2014 points raised by independent planning consultants in public examinations.
\nSome local representatives and residents express a distinct sense of betrayal. Shinfield, once a verdant village just south of Reading, now increasingly resembles a semii-urban town, as farmland gives way to housing estates and commercial developments. As one Wokingham councillor put it bluntly in 2021: \u201cThe University of Reading has turned Shinfield from village to town.\u201d
\nAnd this is not merely a quibble over development. At stake is the university\u2019s reputation and role in shaping the region\u2019s economy, whilst guarding its own coffers. For decades universities have been humdrum generators of human capital and research; now Reading is becoming a generator of actuarial risk, transport headaches and traffic modelling debates \u2014 responsibilities formerly well beyond their brief.\u00a0The very fact that a university serves as a master planner for nearly four thousand homes underscores how higher education institutions are evolving into actors in regional urban development, not just observers of it.
\n\u00a0
\nOverseas Expansion and the Malaysia Campus: Global Ambitions or Global Missteps?
\nLong before Loddon or Cine Valley made headlines, Reading pursued a different kind of geographical expansion: international campuses.
\n
The jewel in that strategy is the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM), launched in Educity, Iskandar Puteri, near Singapore. On the surface, this branch campus has flourished. Started with a few hundred students, UoRM saw its enrolment swell to record highs \u2014 nearly 950 students in 2024/25 \u2014 and celebrated its first decade alongside the UK campus\u2019s centenary ambitions.
\nBut beneath the celebratory press releases lies a more complicated narrative familiar across the UK sector: overseas campuses can be strategically valuable yet financially fraught.
\nIn the late 2010s, investigative reporting and sector analyses flagged that Reading\u2019s Malaysia campus had been slower to recruit than expected and had incurred higher costs than anticipated. Critics suggested that expansion was undertaken without sufficient market analysis, undershooting demand forecasts and overestimating local economic conditions. Whether this represents a learning curve of a globalizing university or a cautionary lesson about export-oriented education ventures remains a subject of debate among governance analysts and staff. The UK government's policies, scrambling to appeal to the extreme right and curtail immigration has also dented the UK's brand as an academic provider.
\nIn 2026, the UK government ditched its target of attracting more international students, instead urging institutions to open campuses abroad to diversify revenue and reduce universities\u2019 reliance on fees from overseas enrolments at home. For Reading, this means its Malaysia campus \u2014 and ambitions for further global partnerships \u2014 may gain new strategic value even as domestic student recruitment becomes more competitive. But the 'UK uni' brand may not be seen as attractive to stuents hoping to study, and perhaps obtain jobs in the UK.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Global Classroom: International Students and Institutional Risk
\nReading today hosts a truly international student body - approximately 27\u201328% international students, well above the UK average, drawn from over 160 countries. International students are not merely a cultural asset; they are a strategic lifeline. Their fees contribute disproportionately to university revenues at a time when UK government teaching grants have been frozen for years and domestic fee caps remain largely static.
\nChina is the largest source countries for the University. This is bolstered by the NUIST Reading Academy, a joint partnership with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. Many Chinese students study at the Reading campus for the final year(s) of their degrees, particularly in sciences, business, and economics.
\n
But dependency on foreign students carries risk. National immigration politics, visa policy tightening and broader debates about overseas student numbers once buoyed universities\u2019 finances, but are now limiting growth prospects. Reading is hardly unique in feeling these headwinds, but its relative financial exposure to international income and its overseas campus investments make it a bellwether for mid-tier research universities navigating a volatile post-Brexit, post-pandemic environment.
\nStudent accommodation pressures compound the challenge. Local planning authorities have rejected large private developments outside campus boundaries on grounds they are inappropriate for educational use, reflecting tensions between community character and the university\u2019s expansion needs and on campus development have often been controversial - the proposed redevelopment of St Patrick's Hall drew severe criticism from local MP, Matt Rodda. This underscores a broader structural question: if universities are growth engines, are they also responsible for the infrastructure and housing that growth demands?
\n\u00a0
\nThe University of Reading stands at an inflection point familiar to many modern universities all over the world: the push to globalise, commercialise and diversify rendered through strategies that often strain local relationships and institutional coherence.
\nFrom Loddon Garden Village and Shinfield Studios to an ambitious international presence in Malaysia, Reading\u2019s leadership is embracing a vision of a university that is economic actor, regional developer and global brand. Whether this translates into sustained academic excellence and community goodwill \u2014 or becomes an overextension that dilutes academic focus \u2014 is an open question.
\nWhat is clear is this: Reading is no longer a quiet provincial university. It has become a case study in the ambitious reinvention of higher education, where the stakes are intellectual, economic and cultural \u2014 and where the conversations it now commands extend far beyond the green lawns of Whiteknights Park.
\n\u00a0
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\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/f4d468133dad.jpg\")
This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of the town\u2019s biggest employers and most important institutions: the University of Reading. This month we take a deep dive into the history and future of this institution.
Every year since 17 March 1926, thousands of teenagers \u2013 and mature students \u2013 have made Reading their home for at least three years of study. The campus offers a wide range of degrees in disciplines that include art, agriculture, history, meteorology, computer science, chemistry, and typography. Its courses are renowned and its academics in demand when the media need expert voices.\u00a0
The University has evolved, just as the town has. Courses, halls of residence, lecture halls, the library, and the students' union have all seen upgrades over the years. While many of the buildings, especially on the London Road campus, look the same on the outside, changing technology, times, and demands keep it relevant.\u00a0
Staff at the University have always sought to ensure the students are part of the town\u2019s life, after all many make Reading their home once their studies are over. This means that many residents will have their own memories of life on campus to share, whether it's their hall of residence, walking around Harris Gardens, graduation at the London Road campus, or taking part in sporting activities.
Throughout this year, several special events will be held to help the town celebrate the University's work and its role in Reading\u2019s story over the past century. Last year, many alumni submitted their memories to help shape a new celebration that will go on display online and across the Whiteknights and London Road campuses. The trail of curated pictures has been organised by arts collective jelly and helps tell the story of many students\u2019 happy memories.\u00a0
One way to catch a glimpse of this is through special heritage tours the University is organising throughout the year. They will highlight historic campus buildings, beautiful green spaces, wartime history and generations of voices of the people who have studied, worked, and lived at the University, helping to inspire the institution to this day.
They run on different days and times, and cover different subjects, including the history of different parts of campus such as Foxhill House, Earley Gate, and the London Road base. There will also be focuses on the University\u2019s RAG (raising and giving) parades \u2013 the climax of fundraising weeks \u2013 and the university\u2019s role during wars.\u00a0
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: \"Our Centenary is such a special occasion to connect with our local community. We really want everyone to be part of our celebrations.
\u201cWe know there is so much interest in the history of the University, our people and our campuses and buildings. The Centenary Heritage Tours are a unique opportunity to step into our rich history and learn more about the university on your doorstep.\u201d
Places are free, but must be booked from Eventbrite. Some of the tours are run by Terry Dixon, and he requests a donation for Reading-area charities. https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/centenary-heritage-tours-4799755?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
The Museum of English Rural Life is also joining in with some centenary celebrations for the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Based on the London Road campus opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital, MERL is an absolute unit when it comes to charting life in the country.\u00a0
The exhibition highlights CPRE's major achievements over the past century, including the creation of England's national parks and green belts, campaigns to limit light pollution and litter, regulation of housing development, advocacy for local food production and more.
Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator of MERL Collections, said: \"This exhibition tells the story of one of the most influential conservation charities in England's history.\u00a0
\u201cFor 100 years, CPRE has been at the forefront of protecting our countryside, from creating the national parks we still treasure today to fighting for dark skies and green spaces. We're proud to celebrate their centenary and show how grassroots campaigning has shaped the rural landscapes we all enjoy.\"
Alongside Voices of the Countryside, The MERL is launching Radical Rural, a trail through the museum's galleries highlighting additional movements, artists, and writers who champion rural England's people and places. The contents of the trail range from rural artworks and protest banners, to a costume of Old Crockern, the legendary folk spirit who protects Dartmoor.
The Voices of the Countryside exhibition and the Radical Rural trail both run until 24 May.
There are several other events in May.\u00a0
The now annual Community Festival will be held on Whiteknights Campus on Saturday, 16 May. The free event features a range of activities for all ages including performances, tours, games and food.\u00a0
A real blast from the past comes in the form of a RAG Parade. For more than 50 years, it was a highlight in the university\u2019s calendar as students and the wider Reading population came together to raise funds for good causes. While most people will think of the RAG Mag \u2013 a collection of jokes and curiosities \u2013 and bed pushing, for others the parade will be what they recall.\u00a0
For one day only, this parade is set to return, and the University is hoping that students, staff and alumni will put on an event that the Reading community will remember. It is set to take place on Sunday, 17 May.\u00a0
A week later, the Whiteknights Campus is to become a theatre set for a specially commissioned promenade production that celebrates student life.\u00a0
Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls recreates the bustle of a 1950s common room, the energy and protest of the 1970s, and the unmistakable sounds of the 1990s \u2013 bringing past moments vividly into the present. The stage is the campus and as audiences walk through the site, they can encounter stories, memories and moments that reflect the lives of those who have studied, worked and gathered at Reading over the last hundred years.
The play is part of South Street Arts Centre's acclaimed SITELINES programme, which creates immersive theatre in unusual locations.\u00a0
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: \"Our centenary is not just about marking a date in history. It is about recognising the people, ideas and everyday moments that have shaped this University over a century. This production will capture that spirit in a unique way.\u201d
The project has been made possible by a grant from the University\u2019s Centenary Fund, secured by Rachel Helsby, Head of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor\u2019s Office, who is also co-producing the production.
She said: \u201cBy working with SITELINES, we are inviting audiences to experience our campus in a new way, through stories rooted in real memories and real places. It is a celebration of community, creativity and the shared experiences that continue to define Reading.\u201d
There will be six performances from Friday, 22 May, to Sunday, 24 May, and numbers are strictly limited. They can be booked via the Reading Arts website, https://whatsonreading.com/venues/sitelines/whats-on/sparks-parks-halls-balls
May\u2019s celebration events come to an end on Saturday, 30 May with a special day of sporting action as alumni return to participate in a series of sporting matches against current students.\u00a0
For more details on the events planned, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/centenary/\u00a0
\u00a0
\n
This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of the town\u2019s biggest employers and most important institutions: the University of Reading. This month we take a deep dive into the history and future of this institution.
Every year since 17 March 1926, thousands of teenagers \u2013 and mature students \u2013 have made Reading their home for at least three years of study. The campus offers a wide range of degrees in disciplines that include art, agriculture, history, meteorology, computer science, chemistry, and typography. Its courses are renowned and its academics in demand when the media need expert voices.\u00a0
The University has evolved, just as the town has. Courses, halls of residence, lecture halls, the library, and the students' union have all seen upgrades over the years. While many of the buildings, especially on the London Road campus, look the same on the outside, changing technology, times, and demands keep it relevant.\u00a0
Staff at the University have always sought to ensure the students are part of the town\u2019s life, after all many make Reading their home once their studies are over. This means that many residents will have their own memories of life on campus to share, whether it's their hall of residence, walking around Harris Gardens, graduation at the London Road campus, or taking part in sporting activities.
Throughout this year, several special events will be held to help the town celebrate the University's work and its role in Reading\u2019s story over the past century. Last year, many alumni submitted their memories to help shape a new celebration that will go on display online and across the Whiteknights and London Road campuses. The trail of curated pictures has been organised by arts collective jelly and helps tell the story of many students\u2019 happy memories.\u00a0
One way to catch a glimpse of this is through special heritage tours the University is organising throughout the year. They will highlight historic campus buildings, beautiful green spaces, wartime history and generations of voices of the people who have studied, worked, and lived at the University, helping to inspire the institution to this day.
They run on different days and times, and cover different subjects, including the history of different parts of campus such as Foxhill House, Earley Gate, and the London Road base. There will also be focuses on the University\u2019s RAG (raising and giving) parades \u2013 the climax of fundraising weeks \u2013 and the university\u2019s role during wars.\u00a0
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: \"Our Centenary is such a special occasion to connect with our local community. We really want everyone to be part of our celebrations.
\u201cWe know there is so much interest in the history of the University, our people and our campuses and buildings. The Centenary Heritage Tours are a unique opportunity to step into our rich history and learn more about the university on your doorstep.\u201d
Places are free, but must be booked from Eventbrite. Some of the tours are run by Terry Dixon, and he requests a donation for Reading-area charities. https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/centenary-heritage-tours-4799755?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
The Museum of English Rural Life is also joining in with some centenary celebrations for the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Based on the London Road campus opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital, MERL is an absolute unit when it comes to charting life in the country.\u00a0
The exhibition highlights CPRE's major achievements over the past century, including the creation of England's national parks and green belts, campaigns to limit light pollution and litter, regulation of housing development, advocacy for local food production and more.
Dr Ollie Douglas, Curator of MERL Collections, said: \"This exhibition tells the story of one of the most influential conservation charities in England's history.\u00a0
\u201cFor 100 years, CPRE has been at the forefront of protecting our countryside, from creating the national parks we still treasure today to fighting for dark skies and green spaces. We're proud to celebrate their centenary and show how grassroots campaigning has shaped the rural landscapes we all enjoy.\"
Alongside Voices of the Countryside, The MERL is launching Radical Rural, a trail through the museum's galleries highlighting additional movements, artists, and writers who champion rural England's people and places. The contents of the trail range from rural artworks and protest banners, to a costume of Old Crockern, the legendary folk spirit who protects Dartmoor.
The Voices of the Countryside exhibition and the Radical Rural trail both run until 24 May.
There are several other events in May.\u00a0
The now annual Community Festival will be held on Whiteknights Campus on Saturday, 16 May. The free event features a range of activities for all ages including performances, tours, games and food.\u00a0
A real blast from the past comes in the form of a RAG Parade. For more than 50 years, it was a highlight in the university\u2019s calendar as students and the wider Reading population came together to raise funds for good causes. While most people will think of the RAG Mag \u2013 a collection of jokes and curiosities \u2013 and bed pushing, for others the parade will be what they recall.\u00a0
For one day only, this parade is set to return, and the University is hoping that students, staff and alumni will put on an event that the Reading community will remember. It is set to take place on Sunday, 17 May.\u00a0
A week later, the Whiteknights Campus is to become a theatre set for a specially commissioned promenade production that celebrates student life.\u00a0
Sparks, Parks, Halls & Balls recreates the bustle of a 1950s common room, the energy and protest of the 1970s, and the unmistakable sounds of the 1990s \u2013 bringing past moments vividly into the present. The stage is the campus and as audiences walk through the site, they can encounter stories, memories and moments that reflect the lives of those who have studied, worked and gathered at Reading over the last hundred years.
The play is part of South Street Arts Centre's acclaimed SITELINES programme, which creates immersive theatre in unusual locations.\u00a0
Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: \"Our centenary is not just about marking a date in history. It is about recognising the people, ideas and everyday moments that have shaped this University over a century. This production will capture that spirit in a unique way.\u201d
The project has been made possible by a grant from the University\u2019s Centenary Fund, secured by Rachel Helsby, Head of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor\u2019s Office, who is also co-producing the production.
She said: \u201cBy working with SITELINES, we are inviting audiences to experience our campus in a new way, through stories rooted in real memories and real places. It is a celebration of community, creativity and the shared experiences that continue to define Reading.\u201d
There will be six performances from Friday, 22 May, to Sunday, 24 May, and numbers are strictly limited. They can be booked via the Reading Arts website, https://whatsonreading.com/venues/sitelines/whats-on/sparks-parks-halls-balls
May\u2019s celebration events come to an end on Saturday, 30 May with a special day of sporting action as alumni return to participate in a series of sporting matches against current students.\u00a0
For more details on the events planned, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/centenary/\u00a0
As the May 2026 local elections approach, the silhouette of cranes across the Reading skyline tells a story of two towns. One is a thriving technology and logistics hub, buoyed by its proximity to London and the Elizabeth Line with PepsiCo moving its HQ into the town centre and pharma giant Sanofi taking up residence in Thames Valley Park; the other is a community grappling with an increasingly untenable housing crisis where a homeless person fell seriously ill in a tent on Broad Street and died shortly afterwards in hospital.\u00a0
\nIt's not surprising then that for many residents the primary metric of the town\u2019s success is not its GDP, but the length of the housing register and the visibility of those without their own front door - and this may spell electoral problems for the majority Labour party that has long controlled the town, come the forthcoming elections.
\nSocial housing, which became viewed as a right for many Brits after the Second World War until its provision was dismantled by Margaret Thatcher, is currently at the center of a political and economic storm in Reading.
\nTo many, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are seen as a reason for the lack of public housing - a position being milked by the far right - who ironically have no plans at all to build any more social housing. But asylum seekers actually have no right to social housing. The problem isn't immigrants, it's the far right policies implemented by Thatcher and perpetuated by Blair and then thirteen years of subsequent Conservative rule. And it looks like our current Labour regime isn't going to make any difference as they run scared from the far right.\u00a0
With ever rising rents, thousands of households in limbo, and the Council facing unprecedented financial strain, the reality is that Reading needs around a substantial programme of social house building.
\nThe Labour ruling party on Reading Borough Council is being slated for only completing 11 council homes during 2025, and due to 'right to buy', our town probably lost social homes. And their disasterous dismantling of Housing for Reading, which threw another 400 people onto the housing market was a further debacle.
\nRob White, leader of the Greens was highly critical:
\n\"I am deeply worried about affordable housing in Reading. New figures show that Reading Borough Council missed its own target by a huge margin. Last year, only 11 affordable homes were delivered, when the target was 169. That is not a small slip. It is a serious failure.\"
\nLabour leader Liz Terry responded by pointing to more recent developments:
\n\"I was lucky to be at the Wensley Road estate in Coley last week to celebrate the official opening of 46 new homes. It is a particularly special project because all households moving in to them are from Reading\u2019s Wensley Road community.
\n\"We\u2019ve created two 4-bed houses, 26 3-bed houses, two 1-bed and two 2-bed wheelchair accessible ground floor flats, six 1-bed flats and eight 2-bed flats. Many are already occupied with the remainder allocated and soon to be filled. They form part of a wider estate improvement project, which has seen a new play park opened, new landscaping including additional pathways, and new parking spaces and roads.\"
\nBut the actual scale of the challenge is best understood through the Council\u2019s housing register. As of early 2026, the registered list of those waiting for a social home was over 3,000 households, possibly representing as many as 10,000 people. Despite the Council\u2019s efforts to prioritize those in the most urgent need, the reality is that less than 10% of those on the register are housed in any given year.
\nThis bottleneck has direct consequences for homelessness. Reading\u2019s rough sleeping rates have historically been among the highest in the South East. In 2025, official counts estimated approximately 46 people sleeping rough per 100,000 - this may sound low, but it is a rate significantly higher than the regional average. From View Island, to Kenavon Drive and the Thames towpath, you will find people living in tents and boats that should be condemned.
But the homeless woman in her fifties who recently died was living in a tent in a Broad Street bus shelter in Reading, opposite HSBC. Most Reading residents probably walked past her 'home' without a thought.
And beyond the visible rough sleeping and waiting lists for social housing, a hidden and massively expensive homelessness crisis is\u00a0 temporary accommodation.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/0001e9df8ecc.png\")
The Temporary Accommodation Crisis
\nAccording to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) approximately 387 to 400 households were living in temporary accommodation in Reading in mid-2025.
\n\u200bThis represents a nearly 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with the number of families with children in temporary accommodation rose significantly, with a 33% increase (an additional 75 households) recorded between 2024 and 2025. (It should be noted that asylum seekers are totally outside this model. They may be housed in the borough but are paid for by the Home Office and have no rights to council accommodation.)
\nA complicating factor in Reading's data is the use of the town by other councils for their homeless population. For example, in 2024/25, Oxford City Council placed 34 of its own homeless households in temporary accommodation within Reading because they ran out of space in Oxford. These people are living in Reading, but they are technically counted in Oxford's homelessness statistics, not Reading's, and are paid for by Reading, although all liabilities apart from housing fall locally.
Supply vs. Right to Buy
\nTo be fair, Reading Borough Council has not been totally idle. Under its current Council Plan (2025\u20132028), the administration has committed to delivering over 300 new council homes. But the count of eleven new homes in the past financial year is a scandal that has spured them into some action with the opening of those 46 new homes on the Wensley Road estate and the acquisition of properties on Dwyer Road.
\nHowever, a \"leaky bucket\" effect persists thanks to right to buy and restrictions on further building by councils. For every new home built, others are lost through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme. Recent data indicated that between 2021 and 2023, the total stock of council homes in Reading actually decreased slightly, despite the council's building program.
\nAs of early 2026, Reading Borough Council manages approximately 5,800 to 5,900 homes. To put this in perspective, in 1979, roughly 30% of Reading's housing stock was council-owned. \u200bBy 2025, that figure has dropped to approximately 15%.
So why does the council simply not build more houses when it can afford to buy office buildings as an investment - Reading Borough Council purchased Kennet Wharf on Queen's Road, the European home of Visa, for \u00a320.1 million in February 2018 as part of a commercial investment strategy, for example.
\nWell, In the post-war decades, building council houses wasn't just a policy; it was a national mission. Today, while the spirit might be willing, the financial and legislative machinery is far less amenable.
\nThe biggest shift since was the 1980 Housing Act. It introduced \"Right to Buy,\" which has seen over 1.5 million council homes sold into private hands.For decades, councils were forced to sell homes at massive discounts and were legally blocked from keeping all the proceeds to build new ones. Most of that money went back to the Treasury to pay down national debt. Thank you, Margaret.
\nWhile the government recently allowed councils to keep 100% of receipts and reduced the discounts, the \"yo-yo\" effect remains. Councils are currently spending millions buying back the same houses they were forced to sell decades ago\u2014often at 5-6 times the original price.
\nIn the 50s and 60s, the government essentially wrote a blank cheque for housing. Today, councils operate under the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), a ring-fenced \"business\" that must balance its own books. Even though the \"debt cap\" was removed in 2018, councils are still limited by what they can afford to pay back. High interest rates in 2025\u20132026 mean that borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) is expensive.
\nTo keep social housing affordable, the government often caps how much rent councils can charge (currently pegged agains the Consumer Price Index). This is great for tenants, but it limits the \"profit\" councils need to reinvest in new bricks and mortar.
\nIn the past councils had massive powers to buy land cheaply through Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), but today they have to compete with commercial developer. Until very recently, if a council wanted to buy a field for housing, they had to pay the \"hope value\"\u2014what the land might be worth if it had luxury flats on it. This made land prohibitively expensive. In Reading land is very expensive and swathes of the town, such as the area to the west of Katesgrove and Kennet Island being restricted from development by age old nuclear safety regulations.
\nWe are only just seeing the impact of the 2024\u20132025 reforms that allow councils to ignore \"hope value\" for social housing. However, legal battles with landowners are still slowing this down.
\nIn the 1960s, you could \"throw up\" a tower block with minimal insulation or safety tech. Today, councils face a mountain of regulatory costs and restrictions - even commercial developmetns have ground to a halt thanks to the consequences of legislation introduced to prevent another Grenfell Tower disaster. The requirement for a second staircase in high rise blocks and the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which has become a massive bottleneck in areas like London, resulting in almost all commercial property development grinding to a halt in the capital.
\nCouncils are legally required to fix damp, mould, and safety issues in existing stock within strict timelines and new homes must now be nearly zero-carbon. This adds roughly 15\u201320% to the cost of every single house compared to just a few years ago.
\nFinally, and perhaps most ironically, the UK has a massive skills shortage in the building sector after Brexit.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Rise Of Housing Associations
\nWhile the Borough Council is the most visible provider of low-cost housing, it does not act alone. Housing Associations -officially known as Private Registered Providers (PRPs) - form the \"third pillar\" of Reading\u2019s housing canopy. Currently, these non-profit organizations manage a portfolio in Reading that nearly matches the Council\u2019s own stock, with over 5,500 units across the borough.
\nThe landscape in Reading is a patchwork of large-scale regional providers and specialist local groups. A2Dominion and Housing Solutions are among the largest, managing significant estates and modern apartment blocks. Meanwhile, organizations like Launchpad Reading provide supported housing specifically for those transitioning out of homelessness.
\nA major point of contention UK wide is the distinction between \"Social\" and \"Affordable\" rent levels. Social Rent, typically charged by the Council and some older association tenancies, this is set at approximately 50% of local market rates whilst affordable rent is the model adopted by most housing associations where rents can be set at up to 80% of the market rate.
\nIn a high-demand town like Reading, where private rents have surged, even an \"affordable\" 80% rate can put significant pressure on low-income families who do not qualify for full housing benefits.
\nDespite being separate entities, the Council and Associations operate a unified system. To ensure fairness, Reading uses a 'Common Housing Register'. When a Housing Association property in the town becomes vacant, the Council usually holds \"nomination rights\" for 75% to 100% of those lets. This means that regardless of who owns the brick and mortar, the Council\u2019s waiting list remains the single point of entry for those in need.
\nAnd housing associations are not exempt from the political debates surrounding the \"leaky bucket\" of social stock. While Council tenants have the Right to Buy, most Housing Association tenants have a similar, though slightly different 'Right to Acquire'.
\nSection 106 agreements place a legal requirements on private developers\u2014such as those building the high-rise apartments near Reading Station\u2014to provide a percentage of homes to housing associations. These quotas are often negotiated down by developers, or replaced with financial contributions elsewhere.
\nWhile the Council remains the single largest landlord, several Housing Associations manage thousands of properties across Reading.\u00a0
\nHousing associations have merged and now often operate across multiple local authorities, but their presence in Reading is significant enough to shape entire neighborhoods like Coley, Whitley, and Tilehurst. Here are the largest in out town:
\nA2Dominion ~1,500+ properties . One of the largest regional providers. Significant presence in central Reading and managed \"Retirement Living\" schemes like Cornerstones in Tilehurst.
\nSouthern Housing ~1,200+ properties. Formed from the merger of Optivo and Southern Housing Group. They manage a mix of social rent and shared ownership across the South East, with a major hub in Theale/Reading including Livonia View between the river and railway line in east Reading.
\nHousing Solutions ~800+ properties. Focuses heavily on the Berkshire area. They manage diverse stock across Reading, including key worker and family housing.
\nStonewater ~600+ properties. A major national provider with a strong local footprint, particularly in retirement living (e.g., Raglan Court) and general needs housing.
\nAbri ~400+ properties. Formerly Radian/Yarlington. They are increasingly active in new-build \"affordable\" developments on brownfield sites around the town
\nAffinity Housing ~350+ properties. Often works in direct partnership with the Council on specific PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts, particularly in North Whitley.
\nThe sheer volume of Association-owned property means that the housing issues faced by Reading cannot be solved by the Council alone. The Council has nomination rights to the vast majority of these housing association properties' vacancies, so this directly impacts how fast the 3,000-person waiting list moves.
\nRecent governments have spent a lot of legislative time regulating private landlords, but a key political issue now is social landlord accountability. Service charges have been increasing well above the rate of inflation and there is an increasing call for stricter local oversight of housing associations, following resident complaints regarding costs, repair delays and the handling of serious issues such as damp and mold in older blocks.
\nThis said, smaller associations like Launchpad Reading and Abbeyfield are essential for supported housing in our town Without them, the Council would face even higher costs in providing specialized care for the elderly or those recovering from homelessness.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Economic Impact: A Council on the Edge
\nThe housing crisis is not just a social issue; it is a fiscal one. Reading Borough Council has had to find nearly \u00a313 million in savings and efficiencies over the last three years, largely driven by the rising cost of essential services.
\nThe economic \"knock-on\" is clear: when residents spend 40% or more of their income on rent, local spending in Reading\u2019s retail and hospitality sectors suffers. Furthermore, the high cost of housing makes it difficult for essential workers\u2014nurses, teachers, and bus drivers\u2014to live within the borough, leading to recruitment crises in public services.
Political Choices
\nWith homeless people dying on our high street, the far right fearmongering and the cost or renting continuing to rise, the three main parties in Reading are offering distinct visions for the future of social housing.
\nThe Labour Administration
\nLabour highlights its track record of building the first new council houses in a generation. Their platform focuses on \"fairer communities,\" arguing that despite national headwinds and RTB, they are the only party with a proven delivery model. They are lobbying the national government for a complete overhaul of RTB rules to allow councils to retain 100% of receipts for rebuilding.
\nThe Green Party
\nHaving seen significant gains in recent years, the Greens argue that the current pace of building is insufficient. They point to the net loss of social stock as evidence of a failed strategy. Their 2026 manifesto calls for a \"moratorium on council house sales\" and a more aggressive use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) on empty long-term properties and derelict offices.
\nThe Liberal Democrats and Conservatives
\nThe Liberal Democrats have focused heavily on the private rental market, calling for better protections for tenants to prevent them from needing social housing in the first place.\u00a0
\nThe Conservatives, meanwhile, emphasize the role of the private sector and housing associations, arguing that the Council should focus on \"enabling\" rather than being the primary builder, while supporting the aspiration of homeownership through shared equity schemes.
\n\u00a0
\nA Difficult Future
\nReading is a town of immense potential, but that potential is being throttled by a housing market that no longer serves a large portion of its population. The social housing crisis is the thread that connects homelessness, council insolvency, and economic stagnation. Having homeless people die on our streets cannot make anyone feel good about their town.
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "As the May 2026 local elections approach, the silhouette of cranes across the Reading skyline tells a story of two towns. One is a thriving technology and logistics hub, buoyed by its proximity to London and the Elizabeth Line with PepsiCo moving its HQ into the town centre and pharma giant Sanofi taking up residence in Thames Valley Park; the other is a community grappling with an increasingly untenable housing crisis where a homeless person fell seriously ill in a tent on Broad Street and died shortly afterwards in hospital.\u00a0\nIt's not surprising then that for many residents the primary metric of the town\u2019s success is not its GDP, but the length of the housing register and the visibility of those without their own front door - and this may spell electoral problems for the majority Labour party that has long controlled the town, come the forthcoming elections.\nSocial housing, which became viewed as a right for many Brits after the Second World War until its provision was dismantled by Margaret Thatcher, is currently at the center of a political and economic storm in Reading.\nTo many, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are seen as a reason for the lack of public housing - a position being milked by the far right - who ironically have no plans at all to build any more social housing. But asylum seekers actually have no right to social housing. The problem isn't immigrants, it's the far right policies implemented by Thatcher and perpetuated by Blair and then thirteen years of subsequent Conservative rule. And it looks like our current Labour regime isn't going to make any difference as they run scared from the far right.\u00a0\nWith ever rising rents, thousands of households in limbo, and the Council facing unprecedented financial strain, the reality is that Reading needs around a substantial programme of social house building.\nThe Labour ruling party on Reading Borough Council is being slated for only completing 11 council homes during 2025, and due to 'right to buy', our town probably lost social homes. And their disasterous dismantling of Housing for Reading, which threw another 400 people onto the housing market was a further debacle.\nRob White, leader of the Greens was highly critical:\n\"I am deeply worried about affordable housing in Reading. New figures show that Reading Borough Council missed its own target by a huge margin. Last year, only 11 affordable homes were delivered, when the target was 169. That is not a small slip. It is a serious failure.\"\nLabour leader Liz Terry responded by pointing to more recent developments:\n\"I was lucky to be at the Wensley Road estate in Coley last week to celebrate the official opening of 46 new homes. It is a particularly special project because all households moving in to them are from Reading\u2019s Wensley Road community.\n\"We\u2019ve created two 4-bed houses, 26 3-bed houses, two 1-bed and two 2-bed wheelchair accessible ground floor flats, six 1-bed flats and eight 2-bed flats. Many are already occupied with the remainder allocated and soon to be filled. They form part of a wider estate improvement project, which has seen a new play park opened, new landscaping including additional pathways, and new parking spaces and roads.\"\nBut the actual scale of the challenge is best understood through the Council\u2019s housing register. As of early 2026, the registered list of those waiting for a social home was over 3,000 households, possibly representing as many as 10,000 people. Despite the Council\u2019s efforts to prioritize those in the most urgent need, the reality is that less than 10% of those on the register are housed in any given year.\nThis bottleneck has direct consequences for homelessness. Reading\u2019s rough sleeping rates have historically been among the highest in the South East. In 2025, official counts estimated approximately 46 people sleeping rough per 100,000 - this may sound low, but it is a rate significantly higher than the regional average. From View Island, to Kenavon Drive and the Thames towpath, you will find people living in tents and boats that should be condemned.But the homeless woman in her fifties who recently died was living in a tent in a Broad Street bus shelter in Reading, opposite HSBC. Most Reading residents probably walked past her 'home' without a thought.\nAnd beyond the visible rough sleeping and waiting lists for social housing, a hidden and massively expensive homelessness crisis is\u00a0 temporary accommodation.\n\nThe Temporary Accommodation Crisis\nAccording to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) approximately 387 to 400 households were living in temporary accommodation in Reading in mid-2025.\n\u200bThis represents a nearly 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with the number of families with children in temporary accommodation rose significantly, with a 33% increase (an additional 75 households) recorded between 2024 and 2025. (It should be noted that asylum seekers are totally outside this model. They may be housed in the borough but are paid for by the Home Office and have no rights to council accommodation.)\nA complicating factor in Reading's data is the use of the town by other councils for their homeless population. For example, in 2024/25, Oxford City Council placed 34 of its own homeless households in temporary accommodation within Reading because they ran out of space in Oxford. These people are living in Reading, but they are technically counted in Oxford's homelessness statistics, not Reading's, and are paid for by Reading, although all liabilities apart from housing fall locally.\nSupply vs. Right to Buy\nTo be fair, Reading Borough Council has not been totally idle. Under its current Council Plan (2025\u20132028), the administration has committed to delivering over 300 new council homes. But the count of eleven new homes in the past financial year is a scandal that has spured them into some action with the opening of those 46 new homes on the Wensley Road estate and the acquisition of properties on Dwyer Road.\nHowever, a \"leaky bucket\" effect persists thanks to right to buy and restrictions on further building by councils. For every new home built, others are lost through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme. Recent data indicated that between 2021 and 2023, the total stock of council homes in Reading actually decreased slightly, despite the council's building program.\nAs of early 2026, Reading Borough Council manages approximately 5,800 to 5,900 homes. To put this in perspective, in 1979, roughly 30% of Reading's housing stock was council-owned. \u200bBy 2025, that figure has dropped to approximately 15%.\nSo why does the council simply not build more houses when it can afford to buy office buildings as an investment - Reading Borough Council purchased Kennet Wharf on Queen's Road, the European home of Visa, for \u00a320.1 million in February 2018 as part of a commercial investment strategy, for example.\nWell, In the post-war decades, building council houses wasn't just a policy; it was a national mission. Today, while the spirit might be willing, the financial and legislative machinery is far less amenable.\nThe biggest shift since was the 1980 Housing Act. It introduced \"Right to Buy,\" which has seen over 1.5 million council homes sold into private hands.For decades, councils were forced to sell homes at massive discounts and were legally blocked from keeping all the proceeds to build new ones. Most of that money went back to the Treasury to pay down national debt. Thank you, Margaret.\nWhile the government recently allowed councils to keep 100% of receipts and reduced the discounts, the \"yo-yo\" effect remains. Councils are currently spending millions buying back the same houses they were forced to sell decades ago\u2014often at 5-6 times the original price.\nIn the 50s and 60s, the government essentially wrote a blank cheque for housing. Today, councils operate under the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), a ring-fenced \"business\" that must balance its own books. Even though the \"debt cap\" was removed in 2018, councils are still limited by what they can afford to pay back. High interest rates in 2025\u20132026 mean that borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) is expensive.\nTo keep social housing affordable, the government often caps how much rent councils can charge (currently pegged agains the Consumer Price Index). This is great for tenants, but it limits the \"profit\" councils need to reinvest in new bricks and mortar.\nIn the past councils had massive powers to buy land cheaply through Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), but today they have to compete with commercial developer. Until very recently, if a council wanted to buy a field for housing, they had to pay the \"hope value\"\u2014what the land might be worth if it had luxury flats on it. This made land prohibitively expensive. In Reading land is very expensive and swathes of the town, such as the area to the west of Katesgrove and Kennet Island being restricted from development by age old nuclear safety regulations.\nWe are only just seeing the impact of the 2024\u20132025 reforms that allow councils to ignore \"hope value\" for social housing. However, legal battles with landowners are still slowing this down.\nIn the 1960s, you could \"throw up\" a tower block with minimal insulation or safety tech. Today, councils face a mountain of regulatory costs and restrictions - even commercial developmetns have ground to a halt thanks to the consequences of legislation introduced to prevent another Grenfell Tower disaster. The requirement for a second staircase in high rise blocks and the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which has become a massive bottleneck in areas like London, resulting in almost all commercial property development grinding to a halt in the capital.\nCouncils are legally required to fix damp, mould, and safety issues in existing stock within strict timelines and new homes must now be nearly zero-carbon. This adds roughly 15\u201320% to the cost of every single house compared to just a few years ago.\nFinally, and perhaps most ironically, the UK has a massive skills shortage in the building sector after Brexit.\n\u00a0\nThe Rise Of Housing Associations\nWhile the Borough Council is the most visible provider of low-cost housing, it does not act alone. Housing Associations -officially known as Private Registered Providers (PRPs) - form the \"third pillar\" of Reading\u2019s housing canopy. Currently, these non-profit organizations manage a portfolio in Reading that nearly matches the Council\u2019s own stock, with over 5,500 units across the borough.\nThe landscape in Reading is a patchwork of large-scale regional providers and specialist local groups. A2Dominion and Housing Solutions are among the largest, managing significant estates and modern apartment blocks. Meanwhile, organizations like Launchpad Reading provide supported housing specifically for those transitioning out of homelessness.\nA major point of contention UK wide is the distinction between \"Social\" and \"Affordable\" rent levels. Social Rent, typically charged by the Council and some older association tenancies, this is set at approximately 50% of local market rates whilst affordable rent is the model adopted by most housing associations where rents can be set at up to 80% of the market rate.\nIn a high-demand town like Reading, where private rents have surged, even an \"affordable\" 80% rate can put significant pressure on low-income families who do not qualify for full housing benefits.\nDespite being separate entities, the Council and Associations operate a unified system. To ensure fairness, Reading uses a 'Common Housing Register'. When a Housing Association property in the town becomes vacant, the Council usually holds \"nomination rights\" for 75% to 100% of those lets. This means that regardless of who owns the brick and mortar, the Council\u2019s waiting list remains the single point of entry for those in need.\nAnd housing associations are not exempt from the political debates surrounding the \"leaky bucket\" of social stock. While Council tenants have the Right to Buy, most Housing Association tenants have a similar, though slightly different 'Right to Acquire'.\nSection 106 agreements place a legal requirements on private developers\u2014such as those building the high-rise apartments near Reading Station\u2014to provide a percentage of homes to housing associations. These quotas are often negotiated down by developers, or replaced with financial contributions elsewhere.\nWhile the Council remains the single largest landlord, several Housing Associations manage thousands of properties across Reading.\u00a0\nHousing associations have merged and now often operate across multiple local authorities, but their presence in Reading is significant enough to shape entire neighborhoods like Coley, Whitley, and Tilehurst. Here are the largest in out town:\nA2Dominion ~1,500+ properties . One of the largest regional providers. Significant presence in central Reading and managed \"Retirement Living\" schemes like Cornerstones in Tilehurst.\nSouthern Housing ~1,200+ properties. Formed from the merger of Optivo and Southern Housing Group. They manage a mix of social rent and shared ownership across the South East, with a major hub in Theale/Reading including Livonia View between the river and railway line in east Reading.\nHousing Solutions ~800+ properties. Focuses heavily on the Berkshire area. They manage diverse stock across Reading, including key worker and family housing.\nStonewater ~600+ properties. A major national provider with a strong local footprint, particularly in retirement living (e.g., Raglan Court) and general needs housing.\nAbri ~400+ properties. Formerly Radian/Yarlington. They are increasingly active in new-build \"affordable\" developments on brownfield sites around the town\nAffinity Housing ~350+ properties. Often works in direct partnership with the Council on specific PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts, particularly in North Whitley.\nThe sheer volume of Association-owned property means that the housing issues faced by Reading cannot be solved by the Council alone. The Council has nomination rights to the vast majority of these housing association properties' vacancies, so this directly impacts how fast the 3,000-person waiting list moves.\nRecent governments have spent a lot of legislative time regulating private landlords, but a key political issue now is social landlord accountability. Service charges have been increasing well above the rate of inflation and there is an increasing call for stricter local oversight of housing associations, following resident complaints regarding costs, repair delays and the handling of serious issues such as damp and mold in older blocks.\nThis said, smaller associations like Launchpad Reading and Abbeyfield are essential for supported housing in our town Without them, the Council would face even higher costs in providing specialized care for the elderly or those recovering from homelessness.\n\u00a0\nThe Economic Impact: A Council on the Edge\nThe housing crisis is not just a social issue; it is a fiscal one. Reading Borough Council has had to find nearly \u00a313 million in savings and efficiencies over the last three years, largely driven by the rising cost of essential services.\nThe economic \"knock-on\" is clear: when residents spend 40% or more of their income on rent, local spending in Reading\u2019s retail and hospitality sectors suffers. Furthermore, the high cost of housing makes it difficult for essential workers\u2014nurses, teachers, and bus drivers\u2014to live within the borough, leading to recruitment crises in public services.\nPolitical Choices\nWith homeless people dying on our high street, the far right fearmongering and the cost or renting continuing to rise, the three main parties in Reading are offering distinct visions for the future of social housing.\nThe Labour Administration\nLabour highlights its track record of building the first new council houses in a generation. Their platform focuses on \"fairer communities,\" arguing that despite national headwinds and RTB, they are the only party with a proven delivery model. They are lobbying the national government for a complete overhaul of RTB rules to allow councils to retain 100% of receipts for rebuilding.\nThe Green Party\nHaving seen significant gains in recent years, the Greens argue that the current pace of building is insufficient. They point to the net loss of social stock as evidence of a failed strategy. Their 2026 manifesto calls for a \"moratorium on council house sales\" and a more aggressive use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) on empty long-term properties and derelict offices.\nThe Liberal Democrats and Conservatives\nThe Liberal Democrats have focused heavily on the private rental market, calling for better protections for tenants to prevent them from needing social housing in the first place.\u00a0\nThe Conservatives, meanwhile, emphasize the role of the private sector and housing associations, arguing that the Council should focus on \"enabling\" rather than being the primary builder, while supporting the aspiration of homeownership through shared equity schemes.\n\u00a0\nA Difficult Future\nReading is a town of immense potential, but that potential is being throttled by a housing market that no longer serves a large portion of its population. The social housing crisis is the thread that connects homelessness, council insolvency, and economic stagnation. Having homeless people die on our streets cannot make anyone feel good about their town.\n\u00a0", "summary": "As Reading's skyline boasts cranes, a stark contrast emerges between its thriving tech sector and a deepening housing crisis. With over 3,000 households on the social housing register, the Labour party faces significant electoral challenges ahead of the May 2026 local elections.", "date_published": "2026-03-24T13:53:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:16.127910+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/69ac0cc4.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/69ac0cc4.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Whatever Happened To Social Housing ?", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 3303, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "As the May 2026 local elections approach, the silhouette of cranes across the Reading skyline tells a story of two towns. One is a thriving technology and logistics hub, buoyed by its proximity to London and the Elizabeth Line with PepsiCo moving its HQ into the town centre and pharma giant Sanofi taking up residence in Thames Valley Park; the other is a community grappling with an increasingly untenable housing crisis where a homeless person fell seriously ill in a tent on Broad Street and died shortly afterwards in hospital.\u00a0
\nIt's not surprising then that for many residents the primary metric of the town\u2019s success is not its GDP, but the length of the housing register and the visibility of those without their own front door - and this may spell electoral problems for the majority Labour party that has long controlled the town, come the forthcoming elections.
\nSocial housing, which became viewed as a right for many Brits after the Second World War until its provision was dismantled by Margaret Thatcher, is currently at the center of a political and economic storm in Reading.
\nTo many, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are seen as a reason for the lack of public housing - a position being milked by the far right - who ironically have no plans at all to build any more social housing. But asylum seekers actually have no right to social housing. The problem isn't immigrants, it's the far right policies implemented by Thatcher and perpetuated by Blair and then thirteen years of subsequent Conservative rule. And it looks like our current Labour regime isn't going to make any difference as they run scared from the far right.\u00a0
With ever rising rents, thousands of households in limbo, and the Council facing unprecedented financial strain, the reality is that Reading needs around a substantial programme of social house building.
\nThe Labour ruling party on Reading Borough Council is being slated for only completing 11 council homes during 2025, and due to 'right to buy', our town probably lost social homes. And their disasterous dismantling of Housing for Reading, which threw another 400 people onto the housing market was a further debacle.
\nRob White, leader of the Greens was highly critical:
\n\"I am deeply worried about affordable housing in Reading. New figures show that Reading Borough Council missed its own target by a huge margin. Last year, only 11 affordable homes were delivered, when the target was 169. That is not a small slip. It is a serious failure.\"
\nLabour leader Liz Terry responded by pointing to more recent developments:
\n\"I was lucky to be at the Wensley Road estate in Coley last week to celebrate the official opening of 46 new homes. It is a particularly special project because all households moving in to them are from Reading\u2019s Wensley Road community.
\n\"We\u2019ve created two 4-bed houses, 26 3-bed houses, two 1-bed and two 2-bed wheelchair accessible ground floor flats, six 1-bed flats and eight 2-bed flats. Many are already occupied with the remainder allocated and soon to be filled. They form part of a wider estate improvement project, which has seen a new play park opened, new landscaping including additional pathways, and new parking spaces and roads.\"
\nBut the actual scale of the challenge is best understood through the Council\u2019s housing register. As of early 2026, the registered list of those waiting for a social home was over 3,000 households, possibly representing as many as 10,000 people. Despite the Council\u2019s efforts to prioritize those in the most urgent need, the reality is that less than 10% of those on the register are housed in any given year.
\nThis bottleneck has direct consequences for homelessness. Reading\u2019s rough sleeping rates have historically been among the highest in the South East. In 2025, official counts estimated approximately 46 people sleeping rough per 100,000 - this may sound low, but it is a rate significantly higher than the regional average. From View Island, to Kenavon Drive and the Thames towpath, you will find people living in tents and boats that should be condemned.
But the homeless woman in her fifties who recently died was living in a tent in a Broad Street bus shelter in Reading, opposite HSBC. Most Reading residents probably walked past her 'home' without a thought.
And beyond the visible rough sleeping and waiting lists for social housing, a hidden and massively expensive homelessness crisis is\u00a0 temporary accommodation.
The Temporary Accommodation Crisis
\nAccording to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) approximately 387 to 400 households were living in temporary accommodation in Reading in mid-2025.
\n\u200bThis represents a nearly 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024, with the number of families with children in temporary accommodation rose significantly, with a 33% increase (an additional 75 households) recorded between 2024 and 2025. (It should be noted that asylum seekers are totally outside this model. They may be housed in the borough but are paid for by the Home Office and have no rights to council accommodation.)
\nA complicating factor in Reading's data is the use of the town by other councils for their homeless population. For example, in 2024/25, Oxford City Council placed 34 of its own homeless households in temporary accommodation within Reading because they ran out of space in Oxford. These people are living in Reading, but they are technically counted in Oxford's homelessness statistics, not Reading's, and are paid for by Reading, although all liabilities apart from housing fall locally.
Supply vs. Right to Buy
\nTo be fair, Reading Borough Council has not been totally idle. Under its current Council Plan (2025\u20132028), the administration has committed to delivering over 300 new council homes. But the count of eleven new homes in the past financial year is a scandal that has spured them into some action with the opening of those 46 new homes on the Wensley Road estate and the acquisition of properties on Dwyer Road.
\nHowever, a \"leaky bucket\" effect persists thanks to right to buy and restrictions on further building by councils. For every new home built, others are lost through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme. Recent data indicated that between 2021 and 2023, the total stock of council homes in Reading actually decreased slightly, despite the council's building program.
\nAs of early 2026, Reading Borough Council manages approximately 5,800 to 5,900 homes. To put this in perspective, in 1979, roughly 30% of Reading's housing stock was council-owned. \u200bBy 2025, that figure has dropped to approximately 15%.
So why does the council simply not build more houses when it can afford to buy office buildings as an investment - Reading Borough Council purchased Kennet Wharf on Queen's Road, the European home of Visa, for \u00a320.1 million in February 2018 as part of a commercial investment strategy, for example.
\nWell, In the post-war decades, building council houses wasn't just a policy; it was a national mission. Today, while the spirit might be willing, the financial and legislative machinery is far less amenable.
\nThe biggest shift since was the 1980 Housing Act. It introduced \"Right to Buy,\" which has seen over 1.5 million council homes sold into private hands.For decades, councils were forced to sell homes at massive discounts and were legally blocked from keeping all the proceeds to build new ones. Most of that money went back to the Treasury to pay down national debt. Thank you, Margaret.
\nWhile the government recently allowed councils to keep 100% of receipts and reduced the discounts, the \"yo-yo\" effect remains. Councils are currently spending millions buying back the same houses they were forced to sell decades ago\u2014often at 5-6 times the original price.
\nIn the 50s and 60s, the government essentially wrote a blank cheque for housing. Today, councils operate under the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), a ring-fenced \"business\" that must balance its own books. Even though the \"debt cap\" was removed in 2018, councils are still limited by what they can afford to pay back. High interest rates in 2025\u20132026 mean that borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) is expensive.
\nTo keep social housing affordable, the government often caps how much rent councils can charge (currently pegged agains the Consumer Price Index). This is great for tenants, but it limits the \"profit\" councils need to reinvest in new bricks and mortar.
\nIn the past councils had massive powers to buy land cheaply through Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), but today they have to compete with commercial developer. Until very recently, if a council wanted to buy a field for housing, they had to pay the \"hope value\"\u2014what the land might be worth if it had luxury flats on it. This made land prohibitively expensive. In Reading land is very expensive and swathes of the town, such as the area to the west of Katesgrove and Kennet Island being restricted from development by age old nuclear safety regulations.
\nWe are only just seeing the impact of the 2024\u20132025 reforms that allow councils to ignore \"hope value\" for social housing. However, legal battles with landowners are still slowing this down.
\nIn the 1960s, you could \"throw up\" a tower block with minimal insulation or safety tech. Today, councils face a mountain of regulatory costs and restrictions - even commercial developmetns have ground to a halt thanks to the consequences of legislation introduced to prevent another Grenfell Tower disaster. The requirement for a second staircase in high rise blocks and the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which has become a massive bottleneck in areas like London, resulting in almost all commercial property development grinding to a halt in the capital.
\nCouncils are legally required to fix damp, mould, and safety issues in existing stock within strict timelines and new homes must now be nearly zero-carbon. This adds roughly 15\u201320% to the cost of every single house compared to just a few years ago.
\nFinally, and perhaps most ironically, the UK has a massive skills shortage in the building sector after Brexit.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Rise Of Housing Associations
\nWhile the Borough Council is the most visible provider of low-cost housing, it does not act alone. Housing Associations -officially known as Private Registered Providers (PRPs) - form the \"third pillar\" of Reading\u2019s housing canopy. Currently, these non-profit organizations manage a portfolio in Reading that nearly matches the Council\u2019s own stock, with over 5,500 units across the borough.
\nThe landscape in Reading is a patchwork of large-scale regional providers and specialist local groups. A2Dominion and Housing Solutions are among the largest, managing significant estates and modern apartment blocks. Meanwhile, organizations like Launchpad Reading provide supported housing specifically for those transitioning out of homelessness.
\nA major point of contention UK wide is the distinction between \"Social\" and \"Affordable\" rent levels. Social Rent, typically charged by the Council and some older association tenancies, this is set at approximately 50% of local market rates whilst affordable rent is the model adopted by most housing associations where rents can be set at up to 80% of the market rate.
\nIn a high-demand town like Reading, where private rents have surged, even an \"affordable\" 80% rate can put significant pressure on low-income families who do not qualify for full housing benefits.
\nDespite being separate entities, the Council and Associations operate a unified system. To ensure fairness, Reading uses a 'Common Housing Register'. When a Housing Association property in the town becomes vacant, the Council usually holds \"nomination rights\" for 75% to 100% of those lets. This means that regardless of who owns the brick and mortar, the Council\u2019s waiting list remains the single point of entry for those in need.
\nAnd housing associations are not exempt from the political debates surrounding the \"leaky bucket\" of social stock. While Council tenants have the Right to Buy, most Housing Association tenants have a similar, though slightly different 'Right to Acquire'.
\nSection 106 agreements place a legal requirements on private developers\u2014such as those building the high-rise apartments near Reading Station\u2014to provide a percentage of homes to housing associations. These quotas are often negotiated down by developers, or replaced with financial contributions elsewhere.
\nWhile the Council remains the single largest landlord, several Housing Associations manage thousands of properties across Reading.\u00a0
\nHousing associations have merged and now often operate across multiple local authorities, but their presence in Reading is significant enough to shape entire neighborhoods like Coley, Whitley, and Tilehurst. Here are the largest in out town:
\nA2Dominion ~1,500+ properties . One of the largest regional providers. Significant presence in central Reading and managed \"Retirement Living\" schemes like Cornerstones in Tilehurst.
\nSouthern Housing ~1,200+ properties. Formed from the merger of Optivo and Southern Housing Group. They manage a mix of social rent and shared ownership across the South East, with a major hub in Theale/Reading including Livonia View between the river and railway line in east Reading.
\nHousing Solutions ~800+ properties. Focuses heavily on the Berkshire area. They manage diverse stock across Reading, including key worker and family housing.
\nStonewater ~600+ properties. A major national provider with a strong local footprint, particularly in retirement living (e.g., Raglan Court) and general needs housing.
\nAbri ~400+ properties. Formerly Radian/Yarlington. They are increasingly active in new-build \"affordable\" developments on brownfield sites around the town
\nAffinity Housing ~350+ properties. Often works in direct partnership with the Council on specific PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts, particularly in North Whitley.
\nThe sheer volume of Association-owned property means that the housing issues faced by Reading cannot be solved by the Council alone. The Council has nomination rights to the vast majority of these housing association properties' vacancies, so this directly impacts how fast the 3,000-person waiting list moves.
\nRecent governments have spent a lot of legislative time regulating private landlords, but a key political issue now is social landlord accountability. Service charges have been increasing well above the rate of inflation and there is an increasing call for stricter local oversight of housing associations, following resident complaints regarding costs, repair delays and the handling of serious issues such as damp and mold in older blocks.
\nThis said, smaller associations like Launchpad Reading and Abbeyfield are essential for supported housing in our town Without them, the Council would face even higher costs in providing specialized care for the elderly or those recovering from homelessness.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Economic Impact: A Council on the Edge
\nThe housing crisis is not just a social issue; it is a fiscal one. Reading Borough Council has had to find nearly \u00a313 million in savings and efficiencies over the last three years, largely driven by the rising cost of essential services.
\nThe economic \"knock-on\" is clear: when residents spend 40% or more of their income on rent, local spending in Reading\u2019s retail and hospitality sectors suffers. Furthermore, the high cost of housing makes it difficult for essential workers\u2014nurses, teachers, and bus drivers\u2014to live within the borough, leading to recruitment crises in public services.
Political Choices
\nWith homeless people dying on our high street, the far right fearmongering and the cost or renting continuing to rise, the three main parties in Reading are offering distinct visions for the future of social housing.
\nThe Labour Administration
\nLabour highlights its track record of building the first new council houses in a generation. Their platform focuses on \"fairer communities,\" arguing that despite national headwinds and RTB, they are the only party with a proven delivery model. They are lobbying the national government for a complete overhaul of RTB rules to allow councils to retain 100% of receipts for rebuilding.
\nThe Green Party
\nHaving seen significant gains in recent years, the Greens argue that the current pace of building is insufficient. They point to the net loss of social stock as evidence of a failed strategy. Their 2026 manifesto calls for a \"moratorium on council house sales\" and a more aggressive use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) on empty long-term properties and derelict offices.
\nThe Liberal Democrats and Conservatives
\nThe Liberal Democrats have focused heavily on the private rental market, calling for better protections for tenants to prevent them from needing social housing in the first place.\u00a0
\nThe Conservatives, meanwhile, emphasize the role of the private sector and housing associations, arguing that the Council should focus on \"enabling\" rather than being the primary builder, while supporting the aspiration of homeownership through shared equity schemes.
\n\u00a0
\nA Difficult Future
\nReading is a town of immense potential, but that potential is being throttled by a housing market that no longer serves a large portion of its population. The social housing crisis is the thread that connects homelessness, council insolvency, and economic stagnation. Having homeless people die on our streets cannot make anyone feel good about their town.
\n\u00a0
", "description": "As Reading's skyline boasts cranes, a stark contrast emerges between its thriving tech sector and a deepening housing crisis. With over 3,000 households on the social housing register, the Labour party faces significant electoral challenges ahead of the May 2026 local elections.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:16.127910+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-03-24T13:53:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/whatever-happened-to-social-housing/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "314", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-banking-scandal-greed-fraud-and-the-fight-for-justice/", "title": "The Reading Banking Scandal: Greed, Fraud, and the Fight for Justice", "content_html": "As the last bank in Woodley closes, for most ordinary people in Reading, the banking scandal is the lack of basic banking provision in the town, but a much bigger scandal has played out in Resding during first decades of this new millennium.
\r\nOn the surface, it appeared to be a standard provincial banking hub. But behind the glass of the HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland) branch in Reading, a criminal enterprise was flourishing—one that would eventually cost Lloyds Banking Group hundreds of millions in compensation and destroy the lives of scores of entrepreneurs.
\r\nThis is the story of the HBOS Reading scandal: a decade-long saga of rapacious greed, corporate cover-ups, and a celebrity’s fight for justice that brought one of Britain’s largest financial institutions to its knees.
\r\nThe \"Devil\" and the Banker: 2003–2007
\r\nThe fraud centered on the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a unit ostensibly designed to help struggling businesses get back on their feet. At its helm was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with the power to approve loans and dictate the fate of small companies.
\r\nRather than providing lifeboats, Scourfield was pushing businesses into the abyss. He formed a corrupt alliance with David Mills, a turnaround consultant whom a judge would later describe as the \"devil\" to whom Scourfield \"sold his soul.\"
\r\nThe Pattern of Exploitation:
\r\n* The Referral: Scourfield would force struggling business owners to use Mills’ consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services.
\r\n* The Debt Trap: Under the guise of \"rescue,\" Scourfield would authorize massive, inappropriate loans to these businesses.
\r\n* The Siphon: Mills and his associates would then charge the businesses exorbitant fees, effectively stripping their assets and siphoning the bank's money into their own pockets.
\r\n* The Collapse: When the businesses inevitably failed under the weight of the debt and fees, the owners were left bankrupt, while the fraudsters moved on to the next victim.
\r\nWhile businesses collapsed, the perpetrators lived a life of staggering excess. The court heard how the group squandered the £245 million scam on superyachts, luxury holidays in Barbados, and high-end prostitutes.
\r\nThe Famous Victim: Noel Edmonds
\r\nAmong the hundreds of lives ruined was that of TV presenter Noel Edmonds. In 2005, his business, Unique Group, was thriving until it crossed paths with the Reading branch.
\r\nEdmonds alleged that his business was systematically destroyed by the fraud. He later revealed the dark toll the scandal took on his mental health, admitting he considered taking his own life in 2005.
\r\n> \"I am disappointed but not surprised that the pledge by [Lloyds] to compensate me and the other fraud victims swiftly, appropriately and fairly has not been honoured,\" Edmonds stated during his years-long battle.
\r\n>
\r\nHe became the public face of the victims, launching a relentless campaign against Lloyds (which acquired HBOS in 2009). He even set up a \"countdown clock\" for compensation and threatened a £300 million lawsuit.
\r\nThe Cover-Up and the \"Project Lord Turnbull\"
\r\nThe scandal is not just about the fraud itself, but the years of silence that followed. Although whistleblowers like Paul and Nikki Turner began raising alarms as early as 2006, the bank repeatedly dismissed their claims.
\r\nIn 2013, a senior risk officer at Lloyds, Sally Masterton, produced the \"Project Lord Turnbull\" report. It was a bombshell document alleging that the bank had known about the fraud for years and had actively sought to conceal it from shareholders and regulators. For her honesty, Masterton was initially pushed out of the bank (though she later received an apology and settlement).
\r\nJustice and the Aftermath
\r\nThe criminal trial finally concluded in 2017. Six individuals were sentenced to a total of 47 years in prison.
\r\n* Lynden Scourfield: 11 years and 3 months.
\r\n* David Mills: 15 years.
\r\n* Mark Dobson (HBOS Manager): 4.5 years.
\r\nJudge Martin Beddoe’s sentencing remarks were scathing:
\r\n> \"You got your tentacles into the businesses of ordinary and honest people and ripped them apart without a thought for those affected.\"
\r\n>
\r\nThe Long Road to Redress
\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds was forced to establish the Griggs Review to compensate victims. However, the process was widely criticized as \"flawed\" and \"minimalist.\" It took a second independent review by Sir Ross Cranston in 2019 to conclude that the bank’s initial compensation scheme had \"serious shortcomings.\"
\r\nIn 2019, Noel Edmonds reached a confidential settlement with Lloyds, reportedly worth £5 million, though he had originally sought much more. To date, Lloyds has set aside over £600 million to deal with the fallout of the Reading branch—a staggering price for a fraud that the bank spent a decade trying to ignore.
\r\nInteractive Next Step
\r\nThe Dobbs Review into whether Lloyds executives covered up the fraud is one of the longest-running inquiries in UK banking history. Would you like me to look into the current status of the Dobbs Review or provide a timeline of the whistleblowers' journey?
\r\nThe saga of HBOS Reading has shifted from a criminal investigation into a battle over corporate accountability. As of 2026, the primary focus remains the elusive Dobbs Review, which has now become a scandal in its own right due to its extraordinary duration.
\r\nHere is the update on the current status and the key figures who refused to stay silent.
\r\n1. The Dobbs Review: A Decade in the Making
\r\nLaunched in April 2017, the review led by Dame Linda Dobbs was commissioned to determine if Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) executives covered up the fraud or failed to report it to the authorities.
\r\n* Current Status (2026): The review is still not fully public. In late 2025, Dame Linda reported that evidence gathering was \"all but complete,\" but the process of \"Maxwellisation\"—allowing individuals criticized in the report to respond before publication—is ongoing.
\r\n* The Delay: Originally expected to take \"a matter of months,\" the review is now in its ninth year. Dame Linda has cited \"unexpected obstacles\" and the massive volume of documents (hundreds of thousands) as reasons for the delay.
\r\n* The Transparency Battle: Politicians and victim groups, such as the Transparency Task Force, are pressuring Lloyds to release the full, unredacted report. Lloyds has only committed to sharing the \"findings\" with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), leading to fears of a \"whitewashed\" public version.
\r\n2. The Whistleblowers: Paul and Nikki Turner
\r\nIf Lynden Scourfield and David Mills are the villains of this story, Paul and Nikki Turner are its heroes. Their persistence is the only reason the fraud was ever exposed.
\r\n| Year | Milestone in the Turners' Battle |
\r\n|---|---|
\r\n| 2003 | The Turners' music publishing business is targeted by the Reading branch. |
\r\n| 2007 | After their business is destroyed, they begin a private investigation, uncovering the link between Scourfield and Mills. |
\r\n| 2010 | They produce a \"dossier of evidence\" and present it to the police, who initially refuse to investigate. |
\r\n| 2011 | Their persistence forces the Thames Valley Police to launch \"Operation Hornet.\" |
\r\n| 2017 | They witness the convictions of the fraudsters they spent a decade tracking. |
\r\nThe Turners famously fought off 22 repossession attempts on their home by the bank. Even after the criminal trial, they remained critical of Lloyds, arguing that the bank’s compensation schemes (the Griggs and subsequent Foskett reviews) were designed to minimize payouts rather than provide true justice.
\r\n3. The \"Masterton Report\" and the Cover-Up Allegations
\r\nA central pillar of the current investigation is the work of Sally Masterton, a former senior risk officer.
\r\n* The Report: In 2013, she wrote a report (Project Lord Turnbull) alleging that HBOS knew about the Reading fraud as early as 2008—before Lloyds even bought the bank.
\r\n* The Fallout: Lloyds initially told the authorities the report was \"soured\" and \"unsubstantiated.\" Masterton was forced out of her job.
\r\n* Vindication: Years later, Lloyds was forced to apologize to her and admit her report was a \"good faith\" document that should have been taken seriously.
\r\n> \"The bank's culture was one of denial,\" Masterton’s supporters argue. \"They treated the whistleblowers as the problem, rather than the fraud itself.\"
\r\n>
\r\nThe Final Toll
\r\nAs of 2026, Lloyds has paid out an estimated £1.3 billion in compensation and costs related to the Reading scandal. However, for the victims who lost their homes, marriages, and health, the financial payout has never felt like a full settlement of the debt.
\r\nWould you like me to detail the specific criminal tactics used by David Mills (the \"Quayside\" model) or look into the current political pressure being applied to the FCA regarding the report?
\r\n\r\n
As the doors of the Lloyds Bank on Crockhamwell Road close for the final time in June 2026, Woodley marks the end of an era. For the first time in over 60 years, the town—once a bustling hub of financial activity—is left without a single dedicated bank branch.
\r\nThis transition from a \"bank on every corner\" to a \"banking desert\" is a story that stretches back nearly a millennium, from the shadow of the great Reading Abbey to the digital revolution of the 21st century.
\r\nThe Origins: Reading Abbey and the Royal Mint
\r\nLong before Woodley became a residential suburb, the financial life of the region was dictated by Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121. While we think of \"banking\" as modern, the Abbey functioned as the area's first financial powerhouse.
\r\n* The Power of the Mint: In 1125, King Henry I granted the Abbey the right to a mint and one moneyer. This meant that currency was physically struck within the Abbey walls, making Reading a primary site for the creation of wealth.
\r\n* A \"Bank\" for the Soul and Soil: The Abbey wasn't just religious; it was a massive landlord. It managed vast estates, collected \"tithes\" (taxes), and held complex financial jurisdictions over the town and its precincts.
\r\n* Monastic Credit: The monks often acted as informal bankers, providing safe storage for valuables and managing the capital generated by the local wool trade and agriculture.
\r\nThe Rise of Local Banking: The Simonds Era
\r\nFollowing the dissolution of the monasteries, banking became the province of local merchants. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Simonds family—famous for their brewery—essentially defined local banking in the Reading area.
\r\nIn 1781, William Blackall Simonds established the Simonds Reading Bank. For a century, this was the primary financial institution for local farmers and tradesmen in the Woodley and Earley area. Unlike the faceless corporations of today, these local banks issued their own private banknotes under license. If you were a Woodley farmer in 1820, your money didn't say \"Bank of England\"—it likely bore the name of a local businessman.
\r\nThe Simonds Bank eventually merged with Barclays in 1913, marking the transition from independent local banks to the \"Big Four\" national giants.
\r\nThe Peak: 1960s to 1990s
\r\nWoodley’s modern identity was forged in the 1960s with the development of the Crockhamwell Road precinct. This was the \"Golden Age\" of local banking.
\r\nBy 1995, Woodley reached its peak as a financial hub. The town centre was home to:
\r\n* 6 Major Banks: Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Midland (now HSBC), National Provincial, and Westminster (later NatWest).
\r\n* Thames Valley Trustee Savings Bank (TSB): A popular choice for local families.
\r\n* Building Societies: Including Nationwide, which remains the last financial institution standing today (though technically a building society, not a bank).
\r\nDuring this period, the focus was on community relationship banking. The bank manager was a local figurehead who knew small business owners by name, and the \"Saturday morning dash\" to the bank was a central part of Woodley’s social fabric.
\r\nThe Digital Sunset
\r\nThe decline began in the 2010s. Barclays closed its prominent precinct branch in August 2021, followed by NatWest in 2023. When Lloyds announced its closure for June 2026, it cited a staggering drop in footfall—with some branches seeing counter transactions fall by over 20% in just two years as residents moved to mobile apps.
\r\nWhat's Next for Woodley?
\r\nWith the loss of the final bank, Woodley is now at the heart of a national debate regarding Banking Hubs.
\r\n* The Campaign: Local residents and Wokingham Borough Council are currently petitioning LINK for a shared hub where staff from different banks visit on specific days.
\r\n* The Alternative: For now, the three Post Offices in the area (Crockhamwell Road, Brecon Road, and Wheelers Green) have become the de facto banks for those needing to deposit cash or cheques.
\r\nWhile the physical vaults are closing, the story of Woodley’s wealth continues—moving from the clink of the Abbey’s minted coins to the silent data packets of a smartphone.
\r\nWould you like me to help you draft a letter to your local MP or LINK to support the campaign for a Woodley Banking Hub?
", "content_text": "As the last bank in Woodley closes, for most ordinary people in Reading, the banking scandal is the lack of basic banking provision in the town, but a much bigger scandal has played out in Resding during first decades of this new millennium.\r\nOn the surface, it appeared to be a standard provincial banking hub. But behind the glass of the HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland) branch in Reading, a criminal enterprise was flourishing—one that would eventually cost Lloyds Banking Group hundreds of millions in compensation and destroy the lives of scores of entrepreneurs.\r\nThis is the story of the HBOS Reading scandal: a decade-long saga of rapacious greed, corporate cover-ups, and a celebrity’s fight for justice that brought one of Britain’s largest financial institutions to its knees.\r\nThe \"Devil\" and the Banker: 2003–2007\r\nThe fraud centered on the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a unit ostensibly designed to help struggling businesses get back on their feet. At its helm was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with the power to approve loans and dictate the fate of small companies.\r\nRather than providing lifeboats, Scourfield was pushing businesses into the abyss. He formed a corrupt alliance with David Mills, a turnaround consultant whom a judge would later describe as the \"devil\" to whom Scourfield \"sold his soul.\"\r\nThe Pattern of Exploitation:\r\n * The Referral: Scourfield would force struggling business owners to use Mills’ consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services.\r\n * The Debt Trap: Under the guise of \"rescue,\" Scourfield would authorize massive, inappropriate loans to these businesses.\r\n * The Siphon: Mills and his associates would then charge the businesses exorbitant fees, effectively stripping their assets and siphoning the bank's money into their own pockets.\r\n * The Collapse: When the businesses inevitably failed under the weight of the debt and fees, the owners were left bankrupt, while the fraudsters moved on to the next victim.\r\nWhile businesses collapsed, the perpetrators lived a life of staggering excess. The court heard how the group squandered the £245 million scam on superyachts, luxury holidays in Barbados, and high-end prostitutes.\r\nThe Famous Victim: Noel Edmonds\r\nAmong the hundreds of lives ruined was that of TV presenter Noel Edmonds. In 2005, his business, Unique Group, was thriving until it crossed paths with the Reading branch.\r\nEdmonds alleged that his business was systematically destroyed by the fraud. He later revealed the dark toll the scandal took on his mental health, admitting he considered taking his own life in 2005.\r\n> \"I am disappointed but not surprised that the pledge by [Lloyds] to compensate me and the other fraud victims swiftly, appropriately and fairly has not been honoured,\" Edmonds stated during his years-long battle.\r\n> \r\nHe became the public face of the victims, launching a relentless campaign against Lloyds (which acquired HBOS in 2009). He even set up a \"countdown clock\" for compensation and threatened a £300 million lawsuit.\r\nThe Cover-Up and the \"Project Lord Turnbull\"\r\nThe scandal is not just about the fraud itself, but the years of silence that followed. Although whistleblowers like Paul and Nikki Turner began raising alarms as early as 2006, the bank repeatedly dismissed their claims.\r\nIn 2013, a senior risk officer at Lloyds, Sally Masterton, produced the \"Project Lord Turnbull\" report. It was a bombshell document alleging that the bank had known about the fraud for years and had actively sought to conceal it from shareholders and regulators. For her honesty, Masterton was initially pushed out of the bank (though she later received an apology and settlement).\r\nJustice and the Aftermath\r\nThe criminal trial finally concluded in 2017. Six individuals were sentenced to a total of 47 years in prison.\r\n * Lynden Scourfield: 11 years and 3 months.\r\n * David Mills: 15 years.\r\n * Mark Dobson (HBOS Manager): 4.5 years.\r\nJudge Martin Beddoe’s sentencing remarks were scathing:\r\n> \"You got your tentacles into the businesses of ordinary and honest people and ripped them apart without a thought for those affected.\"\r\n> \r\nThe Long Road to Redress\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds was forced to establish the Griggs Review to compensate victims. However, the process was widely criticized as \"flawed\" and \"minimalist.\" It took a second independent review by Sir Ross Cranston in 2019 to conclude that the bank’s initial compensation scheme had \"serious shortcomings.\"\r\nIn 2019, Noel Edmonds reached a confidential settlement with Lloyds, reportedly worth £5 million, though he had originally sought much more. To date, Lloyds has set aside over £600 million to deal with the fallout of the Reading branch—a staggering price for a fraud that the bank spent a decade trying to ignore.\r\nInteractive Next Step\r\nThe Dobbs Review into whether Lloyds executives covered up the fraud is one of the longest-running inquiries in UK banking history. Would you like me to look into the current status of the Dobbs Review or provide a timeline of the whistleblowers' journey?\r\nThe saga of HBOS Reading has shifted from a criminal investigation into a battle over corporate accountability. As of 2026, the primary focus remains the elusive Dobbs Review, which has now become a scandal in its own right due to its extraordinary duration.\r\nHere is the update on the current status and the key figures who refused to stay silent.\r\n1. The Dobbs Review: A Decade in the Making\r\nLaunched in April 2017, the review led by Dame Linda Dobbs was commissioned to determine if Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) executives covered up the fraud or failed to report it to the authorities.\r\n * Current Status (2026): The review is still not fully public. In late 2025, Dame Linda reported that evidence gathering was \"all but complete,\" but the process of \"Maxwellisation\"—allowing individuals criticized in the report to respond before publication—is ongoing.\r\n * The Delay: Originally expected to take \"a matter of months,\" the review is now in its ninth year. Dame Linda has cited \"unexpected obstacles\" and the massive volume of documents (hundreds of thousands) as reasons for the delay.\r\n * The Transparency Battle: Politicians and victim groups, such as the Transparency Task Force, are pressuring Lloyds to release the full, unredacted report. Lloyds has only committed to sharing the \"findings\" with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), leading to fears of a \"whitewashed\" public version.\r\n2. The Whistleblowers: Paul and Nikki Turner\r\nIf Lynden Scourfield and David Mills are the villains of this story, Paul and Nikki Turner are its heroes. Their persistence is the only reason the fraud was ever exposed.\r\n| Year | Milestone in the Turners' Battle |\r\n|---|---|\r\n| 2003 | The Turners' music publishing business is targeted by the Reading branch. |\r\n| 2007 | After their business is destroyed, they begin a private investigation, uncovering the link between Scourfield and Mills. |\r\n| 2010 | They produce a \"dossier of evidence\" and present it to the police, who initially refuse to investigate. |\r\n| 2011 | Their persistence forces the Thames Valley Police to launch \"Operation Hornet.\" |\r\n| 2017 | They witness the convictions of the fraudsters they spent a decade tracking. |\r\nThe Turners famously fought off 22 repossession attempts on their home by the bank. Even after the criminal trial, they remained critical of Lloyds, arguing that the bank’s compensation schemes (the Griggs and subsequent Foskett reviews) were designed to minimize payouts rather than provide true justice.\r\n3. The \"Masterton Report\" and the Cover-Up Allegations\r\nA central pillar of the current investigation is the work of Sally Masterton, a former senior risk officer.\r\n * The Report: In 2013, she wrote a report (Project Lord Turnbull) alleging that HBOS knew about the Reading fraud as early as 2008—before Lloyds even bought the bank.\r\n * The Fallout: Lloyds initially told the authorities the report was \"soured\" and \"unsubstantiated.\" Masterton was forced out of her job.\r\n * Vindication: Years later, Lloyds was forced to apologize to her and admit her report was a \"good faith\" document that should have been taken seriously.\r\n> \"The bank's culture was one of denial,\" Masterton’s supporters argue. \"They treated the whistleblowers as the problem, rather than the fraud itself.\"\r\n> \r\nThe Final Toll\r\nAs of 2026, Lloyds has paid out an estimated £1.3 billion in compensation and costs related to the Reading scandal. However, for the victims who lost their homes, marriages, and health, the financial payout has never felt like a full settlement of the debt.\r\nWould you like me to detail the specific criminal tactics used by David Mills (the \"Quayside\" model) or look into the current political pressure being applied to the FCA regarding the report?\r\n \r\nAs the doors of the Lloyds Bank on Crockhamwell Road close for the final time in June 2026, Woodley marks the end of an era. For the first time in over 60 years, the town—once a bustling hub of financial activity—is left without a single dedicated bank branch.\r\nThis transition from a \"bank on every corner\" to a \"banking desert\" is a story that stretches back nearly a millennium, from the shadow of the great Reading Abbey to the digital revolution of the 21st century.\r\nThe Origins: Reading Abbey and the Royal Mint\r\nLong before Woodley became a residential suburb, the financial life of the region was dictated by Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121. While we think of \"banking\" as modern, the Abbey functioned as the area's first financial powerhouse.\r\n * The Power of the Mint: In 1125, King Henry I granted the Abbey the right to a mint and one moneyer. This meant that currency was physically struck within the Abbey walls, making Reading a primary site for the creation of wealth.\r\n * A \"Bank\" for the Soul and Soil: The Abbey wasn't just religious; it was a massive landlord. It managed vast estates, collected \"tithes\" (taxes), and held complex financial jurisdictions over the town and its precincts.\r\n * Monastic Credit: The monks often acted as informal bankers, providing safe storage for valuables and managing the capital generated by the local wool trade and agriculture.\r\nThe Rise of Local Banking: The Simonds Era\r\nFollowing the dissolution of the monasteries, banking became the province of local merchants. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Simonds family—famous for their brewery—essentially defined local banking in the Reading area.\r\nIn 1781, William Blackall Simonds established the Simonds Reading Bank. For a century, this was the primary financial institution for local farmers and tradesmen in the Woodley and Earley area. Unlike the faceless corporations of today, these local banks issued their own private banknotes under license. If you were a Woodley farmer in 1820, your money didn't say \"Bank of England\"—it likely bore the name of a local businessman.\r\nThe Simonds Bank eventually merged with Barclays in 1913, marking the transition from independent local banks to the \"Big Four\" national giants.\r\nThe Peak: 1960s to 1990s\r\nWoodley’s modern identity was forged in the 1960s with the development of the Crockhamwell Road precinct. This was the \"Golden Age\" of local banking.\r\nBy 1995, Woodley reached its peak as a financial hub. The town centre was home to:\r\n * 6 Major Banks: Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Midland (now HSBC), National Provincial, and Westminster (later NatWest).\r\n * Thames Valley Trustee Savings Bank (TSB): A popular choice for local families.\r\n * Building Societies: Including Nationwide, which remains the last financial institution standing today (though technically a building society, not a bank).\r\nDuring this period, the focus was on community relationship banking. The bank manager was a local figurehead who knew small business owners by name, and the \"Saturday morning dash\" to the bank was a central part of Woodley’s social fabric.\r\nThe Digital Sunset\r\nThe decline began in the 2010s. Barclays closed its prominent precinct branch in August 2021, followed by NatWest in 2023. When Lloyds announced its closure for June 2026, it cited a staggering drop in footfall—with some branches seeing counter transactions fall by over 20% in just two years as residents moved to mobile apps.\r\nWhat's Next for Woodley?\r\nWith the loss of the final bank, Woodley is now at the heart of a national debate regarding Banking Hubs.\r\n * The Campaign: Local residents and Wokingham Borough Council are currently petitioning LINK for a shared hub where staff from different banks visit on specific days.\r\n * The Alternative: For now, the three Post Offices in the area (Crockhamwell Road, Brecon Road, and Wheelers Green) have become the de facto banks for those needing to deposit cash or cheques.\r\nWhile the physical vaults are closing, the story of Woodley’s wealth continues—moving from the clink of the Abbey’s minted coins to the silent data packets of a smartphone.\r\nWould you like me to help you draft a letter to your local MP or LINK to support the campaign for a Woodley Banking Hub?", "summary": "Discover the shocking HBOS Reading scandal, a decade-long saga of corruption, corporate cover-ups, and ruined lives. Learn how a criminal enterprise within a major bank destroyed businesses and led to a celebrity's fight for justice.", "date_published": "2026-03-24T13:05:39.969028+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-24T13:06:47.590797+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/32e61b06.png", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/32e61b06.png", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Reading Banking Scandal: Greed, Fraud, and the Fight for Justice", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 2467, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "As the last bank in Woodley closes, for most ordinary people in Reading, the banking scandal is the lack of basic banking provision in the town, but a much bigger scandal has played out in Resding during first decades of this new millennium.
\r\nOn the surface, it appeared to be a standard provincial banking hub. But behind the glass of the HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland) branch in Reading, a criminal enterprise was flourishing—one that would eventually cost Lloyds Banking Group hundreds of millions in compensation and destroy the lives of scores of entrepreneurs.
\r\nThis is the story of the HBOS Reading scandal: a decade-long saga of rapacious greed, corporate cover-ups, and a celebrity’s fight for justice that brought one of Britain’s largest financial institutions to its knees.
\r\nThe \"Devil\" and the Banker: 2003–2007
\r\nThe fraud centered on the bank’s Impaired Assets Office, a unit ostensibly designed to help struggling businesses get back on their feet. At its helm was Lynden Scourfield, a senior manager with the power to approve loans and dictate the fate of small companies.
\r\nRather than providing lifeboats, Scourfield was pushing businesses into the abyss. He formed a corrupt alliance with David Mills, a turnaround consultant whom a judge would later describe as the \"devil\" to whom Scourfield \"sold his soul.\"
\r\nThe Pattern of Exploitation:
\r\n* The Referral: Scourfield would force struggling business owners to use Mills’ consultancy, Quayside Corporate Services.
\r\n* The Debt Trap: Under the guise of \"rescue,\" Scourfield would authorize massive, inappropriate loans to these businesses.
\r\n* The Siphon: Mills and his associates would then charge the businesses exorbitant fees, effectively stripping their assets and siphoning the bank's money into their own pockets.
\r\n* The Collapse: When the businesses inevitably failed under the weight of the debt and fees, the owners were left bankrupt, while the fraudsters moved on to the next victim.
\r\nWhile businesses collapsed, the perpetrators lived a life of staggering excess. The court heard how the group squandered the £245 million scam on superyachts, luxury holidays in Barbados, and high-end prostitutes.
\r\nThe Famous Victim: Noel Edmonds
\r\nAmong the hundreds of lives ruined was that of TV presenter Noel Edmonds. In 2005, his business, Unique Group, was thriving until it crossed paths with the Reading branch.
\r\nEdmonds alleged that his business was systematically destroyed by the fraud. He later revealed the dark toll the scandal took on his mental health, admitting he considered taking his own life in 2005.
\r\n> \"I am disappointed but not surprised that the pledge by [Lloyds] to compensate me and the other fraud victims swiftly, appropriately and fairly has not been honoured,\" Edmonds stated during his years-long battle.
\r\n>
\r\nHe became the public face of the victims, launching a relentless campaign against Lloyds (which acquired HBOS in 2009). He even set up a \"countdown clock\" for compensation and threatened a £300 million lawsuit.
\r\nThe Cover-Up and the \"Project Lord Turnbull\"
\r\nThe scandal is not just about the fraud itself, but the years of silence that followed. Although whistleblowers like Paul and Nikki Turner began raising alarms as early as 2006, the bank repeatedly dismissed their claims.
\r\nIn 2013, a senior risk officer at Lloyds, Sally Masterton, produced the \"Project Lord Turnbull\" report. It was a bombshell document alleging that the bank had known about the fraud for years and had actively sought to conceal it from shareholders and regulators. For her honesty, Masterton was initially pushed out of the bank (though she later received an apology and settlement).
\r\nJustice and the Aftermath
\r\nThe criminal trial finally concluded in 2017. Six individuals were sentenced to a total of 47 years in prison.
\r\n* Lynden Scourfield: 11 years and 3 months.
\r\n* David Mills: 15 years.
\r\n* Mark Dobson (HBOS Manager): 4.5 years.
\r\nJudge Martin Beddoe’s sentencing remarks were scathing:
\r\n> \"You got your tentacles into the businesses of ordinary and honest people and ripped them apart without a thought for those affected.\"
\r\n>
\r\nThe Long Road to Redress
\r\nFollowing the convictions, Lloyds was forced to establish the Griggs Review to compensate victims. However, the process was widely criticized as \"flawed\" and \"minimalist.\" It took a second independent review by Sir Ross Cranston in 2019 to conclude that the bank’s initial compensation scheme had \"serious shortcomings.\"
\r\nIn 2019, Noel Edmonds reached a confidential settlement with Lloyds, reportedly worth £5 million, though he had originally sought much more. To date, Lloyds has set aside over £600 million to deal with the fallout of the Reading branch—a staggering price for a fraud that the bank spent a decade trying to ignore.
\r\nInteractive Next Step
\r\nThe Dobbs Review into whether Lloyds executives covered up the fraud is one of the longest-running inquiries in UK banking history. Would you like me to look into the current status of the Dobbs Review or provide a timeline of the whistleblowers' journey?
\r\nThe saga of HBOS Reading has shifted from a criminal investigation into a battle over corporate accountability. As of 2026, the primary focus remains the elusive Dobbs Review, which has now become a scandal in its own right due to its extraordinary duration.
\r\nHere is the update on the current status and the key figures who refused to stay silent.
\r\n1. The Dobbs Review: A Decade in the Making
\r\nLaunched in April 2017, the review led by Dame Linda Dobbs was commissioned to determine if Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) executives covered up the fraud or failed to report it to the authorities.
\r\n* Current Status (2026): The review is still not fully public. In late 2025, Dame Linda reported that evidence gathering was \"all but complete,\" but the process of \"Maxwellisation\"—allowing individuals criticized in the report to respond before publication—is ongoing.
\r\n* The Delay: Originally expected to take \"a matter of months,\" the review is now in its ninth year. Dame Linda has cited \"unexpected obstacles\" and the massive volume of documents (hundreds of thousands) as reasons for the delay.
\r\n* The Transparency Battle: Politicians and victim groups, such as the Transparency Task Force, are pressuring Lloyds to release the full, unredacted report. Lloyds has only committed to sharing the \"findings\" with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), leading to fears of a \"whitewashed\" public version.
\r\n2. The Whistleblowers: Paul and Nikki Turner
\r\nIf Lynden Scourfield and David Mills are the villains of this story, Paul and Nikki Turner are its heroes. Their persistence is the only reason the fraud was ever exposed.
\r\n| Year | Milestone in the Turners' Battle |
\r\n|---|---|
\r\n| 2003 | The Turners' music publishing business is targeted by the Reading branch. |
\r\n| 2007 | After their business is destroyed, they begin a private investigation, uncovering the link between Scourfield and Mills. |
\r\n| 2010 | They produce a \"dossier of evidence\" and present it to the police, who initially refuse to investigate. |
\r\n| 2011 | Their persistence forces the Thames Valley Police to launch \"Operation Hornet.\" |
\r\n| 2017 | They witness the convictions of the fraudsters they spent a decade tracking. |
\r\nThe Turners famously fought off 22 repossession attempts on their home by the bank. Even after the criminal trial, they remained critical of Lloyds, arguing that the bank’s compensation schemes (the Griggs and subsequent Foskett reviews) were designed to minimize payouts rather than provide true justice.
\r\n3. The \"Masterton Report\" and the Cover-Up Allegations
\r\nA central pillar of the current investigation is the work of Sally Masterton, a former senior risk officer.
\r\n* The Report: In 2013, she wrote a report (Project Lord Turnbull) alleging that HBOS knew about the Reading fraud as early as 2008—before Lloyds even bought the bank.
\r\n* The Fallout: Lloyds initially told the authorities the report was \"soured\" and \"unsubstantiated.\" Masterton was forced out of her job.
\r\n* Vindication: Years later, Lloyds was forced to apologize to her and admit her report was a \"good faith\" document that should have been taken seriously.
\r\n> \"The bank's culture was one of denial,\" Masterton’s supporters argue. \"They treated the whistleblowers as the problem, rather than the fraud itself.\"
\r\n>
\r\nThe Final Toll
\r\nAs of 2026, Lloyds has paid out an estimated £1.3 billion in compensation and costs related to the Reading scandal. However, for the victims who lost their homes, marriages, and health, the financial payout has never felt like a full settlement of the debt.
\r\nWould you like me to detail the specific criminal tactics used by David Mills (the \"Quayside\" model) or look into the current political pressure being applied to the FCA regarding the report?
\r\n\r\n
As the doors of the Lloyds Bank on Crockhamwell Road close for the final time in June 2026, Woodley marks the end of an era. For the first time in over 60 years, the town—once a bustling hub of financial activity—is left without a single dedicated bank branch.
\r\nThis transition from a \"bank on every corner\" to a \"banking desert\" is a story that stretches back nearly a millennium, from the shadow of the great Reading Abbey to the digital revolution of the 21st century.
\r\nThe Origins: Reading Abbey and the Royal Mint
\r\nLong before Woodley became a residential suburb, the financial life of the region was dictated by Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121. While we think of \"banking\" as modern, the Abbey functioned as the area's first financial powerhouse.
\r\n* The Power of the Mint: In 1125, King Henry I granted the Abbey the right to a mint and one moneyer. This meant that currency was physically struck within the Abbey walls, making Reading a primary site for the creation of wealth.
\r\n* A \"Bank\" for the Soul and Soil: The Abbey wasn't just religious; it was a massive landlord. It managed vast estates, collected \"tithes\" (taxes), and held complex financial jurisdictions over the town and its precincts.
\r\n* Monastic Credit: The monks often acted as informal bankers, providing safe storage for valuables and managing the capital generated by the local wool trade and agriculture.
\r\nThe Rise of Local Banking: The Simonds Era
\r\nFollowing the dissolution of the monasteries, banking became the province of local merchants. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Simonds family—famous for their brewery—essentially defined local banking in the Reading area.
\r\nIn 1781, William Blackall Simonds established the Simonds Reading Bank. For a century, this was the primary financial institution for local farmers and tradesmen in the Woodley and Earley area. Unlike the faceless corporations of today, these local banks issued their own private banknotes under license. If you were a Woodley farmer in 1820, your money didn't say \"Bank of England\"—it likely bore the name of a local businessman.
\r\nThe Simonds Bank eventually merged with Barclays in 1913, marking the transition from independent local banks to the \"Big Four\" national giants.
\r\nThe Peak: 1960s to 1990s
\r\nWoodley’s modern identity was forged in the 1960s with the development of the Crockhamwell Road precinct. This was the \"Golden Age\" of local banking.
\r\nBy 1995, Woodley reached its peak as a financial hub. The town centre was home to:
\r\n* 6 Major Banks: Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Midland (now HSBC), National Provincial, and Westminster (later NatWest).
\r\n* Thames Valley Trustee Savings Bank (TSB): A popular choice for local families.
\r\n* Building Societies: Including Nationwide, which remains the last financial institution standing today (though technically a building society, not a bank).
\r\nDuring this period, the focus was on community relationship banking. The bank manager was a local figurehead who knew small business owners by name, and the \"Saturday morning dash\" to the bank was a central part of Woodley’s social fabric.
\r\nThe Digital Sunset
\r\nThe decline began in the 2010s. Barclays closed its prominent precinct branch in August 2021, followed by NatWest in 2023. When Lloyds announced its closure for June 2026, it cited a staggering drop in footfall—with some branches seeing counter transactions fall by over 20% in just two years as residents moved to mobile apps.
\r\nWhat's Next for Woodley?
\r\nWith the loss of the final bank, Woodley is now at the heart of a national debate regarding Banking Hubs.
\r\n* The Campaign: Local residents and Wokingham Borough Council are currently petitioning LINK for a shared hub where staff from different banks visit on specific days.
\r\n* The Alternative: For now, the three Post Offices in the area (Crockhamwell Road, Brecon Road, and Wheelers Green) have become the de facto banks for those needing to deposit cash or cheques.
\r\nWhile the physical vaults are closing, the story of Woodley’s wealth continues—moving from the clink of the Abbey’s minted coins to the silent data packets of a smartphone.
\r\nWould you like me to help you draft a letter to your local MP or LINK to support the campaign for a Woodley Banking Hub?
", "description": "Discover the shocking HBOS Reading scandal, a decade-long saga of corruption, corporate cover-ups, and ruined lives. Learn how a criminal enterprise within a major bank destroyed businesses and led to a celebrity's fight for justice.", "dateModified": "2026-03-24T13:06:47.590797+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-03-24T13:05:39.969028+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, UK", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-reading-banking-scandal-greed-fraud-and-the-fight-for-justice/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "326", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-people-jacqueline-bisset/", "title": "Reading People - Jacqueline Bisset", "content_html": "Winifred Jacqueline Fraser Bisset was born in Weybridge, in 1944, the daughter of George Maxwell Fraser Bisset, a GP, and Arlette Alexander, a lawyer-turned-housewife whose mother was of French and English descent and her father was Scottish descent. Bisset's mother cycled from Paris and boarded a British troopship to escape the Germans during the 1940 Battle of France.
\nBisset grew up in a 17th-century country cottage called Lane End in Westwood Row, Tilehurst, along with her older brother, Max, now a US based business consultant. \u00a0Her mother taught her to speak French fluently, and she was later educated at the Lyc\u00e9e Fran\u00e7ais de Londres in London. She took ballet lessons as a child and began taking acting lessons while working as a fashion model to pay for them. When Bisset was a teenager, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and home life was described by her as \u2018chaotic\u2019. Bisset's parents divorced in 1968 after 28 years of marriage. During the height of her Hollywood career she regularly visited her mother in Tilehurst and \u00a0owned the cottage until recently when it was sold with building permission for an additional detached house in the grounds that caused some local consternation.
\nIn an interview in Bissett, described the cottage when she was a child as \"chaotic\", adding: \"Not one newspaper that came into the house ever left it.
\n\"There were masses of books everywhere and furniture enough for three homes. My brother and I were extremely upset by it - and have now turned into clean freaks.\"
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/92cee3da6435.jpeg\")
With her alluring looks, Hollywood noticed her quickly. The late 1960s were a period of transition: the studio system was weakening, youth culture was ascendant, and American cinema was tentatively allowing women to appear less polished and more real. Bisset, with her unforced glamour and faintly European bearing, fit the moment perfectly.
\nHer breakout roles\u2014The Sweet Ride (1968), Bullitt (1968), and Airport (1970)\u2014placed her squarely in the public eye. In Bullitt, she plays opposite Steve McQueen, and what lingers is not just her beauty but her calm. Where many actresses of the era projected need or seduction, Bisset projected self-possession.
\nYet Hollywood never quite knew what to do with her. She was too intelligent to be decorative, too sensuous to be academic, too independent to be reliably pliable. She worked constantly, but not feverishly; successfully, but not obsessively. Unlike many contemporaries, she did not build a persona around scandal, reinvention, or public confession. She remained, by design or instinct, slightly out of reach and very private, often returning to stay and look after her mum for months at a time at her childhood home.
\nBy the 1970s, Bisset had begun to drift\u2014purposefully\u2014toward Europe. Films such as Day for Night (1973), directed by Fran\u00e7ois Truffaut, placed her inside a different cinematic tradition, one less concerned with star power and more interested in process, ambiguity, and emotional texture. Her performance is subtle, even self-effacing, and that is precisely the point: she becomes part of the film\u2019s rhythm rather than its focal glare.
\nThis European turn was not an abandonment of Hollywood so much as a widening of possibility. Bisset seemed to understand earlier than most that longevity for women in film required mobility\u2014across genres, across languages, across expectations. She acted in Italian, French, and British productions, choosing roles that allowed her to age onscreen without apology.
\nThere is something quietly radical about her career. At a time when actresses were expected to either freeze themselves in time or disappear, Bisset allowed herself to change. Her voice deepened. Her face softened. Her performances became less about being seen and more about seeing.
\nShe appeared in films that were forgotten and others that endured. She moved easily between romance, thriller, drama, and television. She cultivated a kind of professional equanimity\u2014an acceptance that allowed her to continue working without desperation.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/4e1926492295.jpeg\")
This patience was rewarded. In 2014, when she won the Golden Globe for her role in the BBC miniseries Dancing on the Edge. Her acceptance speech\u2014unguarded, rambling, sincere\u2014went viral. It was the opposite of polished. She spoke about love, self-doubt, perseverance, and the difficulty of being kind to oneself. In a culture obsessed with rehearsed gratitude and brand-safe emotion, her speech felt almost shocking in its honesty.
\nBisset has never married and has no children, but had long-term romances with Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, Moroccan real estate magnate Victor Drai, Russian dancer/actor Alexander Godunov, Swiss actor Vincent Perez and Turkish martial arts instructor Emin Boztepe. And she is Angelina Jolie\u2019s godmother. She has often spoken candidly about the choices and compromises of a life devoted to work. At 81 she now lives in Beverley Hills and is a less frequent visitor to her roots in Reading, but continues to act, with her most recent role in the Western, Long Shadows, released in November 2025.
", "content_text": "Winifred Jacqueline Fraser Bisset was born in Weybridge, in 1944, the daughter of George Maxwell Fraser Bisset, a GP, and Arlette Alexander, a lawyer-turned-housewife whose mother was of French and English descent and her father was Scottish descent. Bisset's mother cycled from Paris and boarded a British troopship to escape the Germans during the 1940 Battle of France.\nBisset grew up in a 17th-century country cottage called Lane End in Westwood Row, Tilehurst, along with her older brother, Max, now a US based business consultant. \u00a0Her mother taught her to speak French fluently, and she was later educated at the Lyc\u00e9e Fran\u00e7ais de Londres in London. She took ballet lessons as a child and began taking acting lessons while working as a fashion model to pay for them. When Bisset was a teenager, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and home life was described by her as \u2018chaotic\u2019. Bisset's parents divorced in 1968 after 28 years of marriage. During the height of her Hollywood career she regularly visited her mother in Tilehurst and \u00a0owned the cottage until recently when it was sold with building permission for an additional detached house in the grounds that caused some local consternation.\nIn an interview in Bissett, described the cottage when she was a child as \"chaotic\", adding: \"Not one newspaper that came into the house ever left it.\n\"There were masses of books everywhere and furniture enough for three homes. My brother and I were extremely upset by it - and have now turned into clean freaks.\"\n\nWith her alluring looks, Hollywood noticed her quickly. The late 1960s were a period of transition: the studio system was weakening, youth culture was ascendant, and American cinema was tentatively allowing women to appear less polished and more real. Bisset, with her unforced glamour and faintly European bearing, fit the moment perfectly.\nHer breakout roles\u2014The Sweet Ride (1968), Bullitt (1968), and Airport (1970)\u2014placed her squarely in the public eye. In Bullitt, she plays opposite Steve McQueen, and what lingers is not just her beauty but her calm. Where many actresses of the era projected need or seduction, Bisset projected self-possession.\nYet Hollywood never quite knew what to do with her. She was too intelligent to be decorative, too sensuous to be academic, too independent to be reliably pliable. She worked constantly, but not feverishly; successfully, but not obsessively. Unlike many contemporaries, she did not build a persona around scandal, reinvention, or public confession. She remained, by design or instinct, slightly out of reach and very private, often returning to stay and look after her mum for months at a time at her childhood home.\nBy the 1970s, Bisset had begun to drift\u2014purposefully\u2014toward Europe. Films such as Day for Night (1973), directed by Fran\u00e7ois Truffaut, placed her inside a different cinematic tradition, one less concerned with star power and more interested in process, ambiguity, and emotional texture. Her performance is subtle, even self-effacing, and that is precisely the point: she becomes part of the film\u2019s rhythm rather than its focal glare.\nThis European turn was not an abandonment of Hollywood so much as a widening of possibility. Bisset seemed to understand earlier than most that longevity for women in film required mobility\u2014across genres, across languages, across expectations. She acted in Italian, French, and British productions, choosing roles that allowed her to age onscreen without apology.\nThere is something quietly radical about her career. At a time when actresses were expected to either freeze themselves in time or disappear, Bisset allowed herself to change. Her voice deepened. Her face softened. Her performances became less about being seen and more about seeing.\nShe appeared in films that were forgotten and others that endured. She moved easily between romance, thriller, drama, and television. She cultivated a kind of professional equanimity\u2014an acceptance that allowed her to continue working without desperation.\n\u00a0\n\nThis patience was rewarded. In 2014, when she won the Golden Globe for her role in the BBC miniseries Dancing on the Edge. Her acceptance speech\u2014unguarded, rambling, sincere\u2014went viral. It was the opposite of polished. She spoke about love, self-doubt, perseverance, and the difficulty of being kind to oneself. In a culture obsessed with rehearsed gratitude and brand-safe emotion, her speech felt almost shocking in its honesty.\nBisset has never married and has no children, but had long-term romances with Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, Moroccan real estate magnate Victor Drai, Russian dancer/actor Alexander Godunov, Swiss actor Vincent Perez and Turkish martial arts instructor Emin Boztepe. And she is Angelina Jolie\u2019s godmother. She has often spoken candidly about the choices and compromises of a life devoted to work. At 81 she now lives in Beverley Hills and is a less frequent visitor to her roots in Reading, but continues to act, with her most recent role in the Western, Long Shadows, released in November 2025.", "summary": "Discover the fascinating journey of Weybridge-born actress Jacqueline Bisset, from her childhood in Tilehurst to becoming a celebrated icon of European cinema, known for her independent spirit and evolving career.", "date_published": "2026-02-01T18:37:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:17.114643+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/288c4618.jpeg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/288c4618.jpeg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading People - Jacqueline Bisset", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 903, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Winifred Jacqueline Fraser Bisset was born in Weybridge, in 1944, the daughter of George Maxwell Fraser Bisset, a GP, and Arlette Alexander, a lawyer-turned-housewife whose mother was of French and English descent and her father was Scottish descent. Bisset's mother cycled from Paris and boarded a British troopship to escape the Germans during the 1940 Battle of France.
\nBisset grew up in a 17th-century country cottage called Lane End in Westwood Row, Tilehurst, along with her older brother, Max, now a US based business consultant. \u00a0Her mother taught her to speak French fluently, and she was later educated at the Lyc\u00e9e Fran\u00e7ais de Londres in London. She took ballet lessons as a child and began taking acting lessons while working as a fashion model to pay for them. When Bisset was a teenager, her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and home life was described by her as \u2018chaotic\u2019. Bisset's parents divorced in 1968 after 28 years of marriage. During the height of her Hollywood career she regularly visited her mother in Tilehurst and \u00a0owned the cottage until recently when it was sold with building permission for an additional detached house in the grounds that caused some local consternation.
\nIn an interview in Bissett, described the cottage when she was a child as \"chaotic\", adding: \"Not one newspaper that came into the house ever left it.
\n\"There were masses of books everywhere and furniture enough for three homes. My brother and I were extremely upset by it - and have now turned into clean freaks.\"
\n
With her alluring looks, Hollywood noticed her quickly. The late 1960s were a period of transition: the studio system was weakening, youth culture was ascendant, and American cinema was tentatively allowing women to appear less polished and more real. Bisset, with her unforced glamour and faintly European bearing, fit the moment perfectly.
\nHer breakout roles\u2014The Sweet Ride (1968), Bullitt (1968), and Airport (1970)\u2014placed her squarely in the public eye. In Bullitt, she plays opposite Steve McQueen, and what lingers is not just her beauty but her calm. Where many actresses of the era projected need or seduction, Bisset projected self-possession.
\nYet Hollywood never quite knew what to do with her. She was too intelligent to be decorative, too sensuous to be academic, too independent to be reliably pliable. She worked constantly, but not feverishly; successfully, but not obsessively. Unlike many contemporaries, she did not build a persona around scandal, reinvention, or public confession. She remained, by design or instinct, slightly out of reach and very private, often returning to stay and look after her mum for months at a time at her childhood home.
\nBy the 1970s, Bisset had begun to drift\u2014purposefully\u2014toward Europe. Films such as Day for Night (1973), directed by Fran\u00e7ois Truffaut, placed her inside a different cinematic tradition, one less concerned with star power and more interested in process, ambiguity, and emotional texture. Her performance is subtle, even self-effacing, and that is precisely the point: she becomes part of the film\u2019s rhythm rather than its focal glare.
\nThis European turn was not an abandonment of Hollywood so much as a widening of possibility. Bisset seemed to understand earlier than most that longevity for women in film required mobility\u2014across genres, across languages, across expectations. She acted in Italian, French, and British productions, choosing roles that allowed her to age onscreen without apology.
\nThere is something quietly radical about her career. At a time when actresses were expected to either freeze themselves in time or disappear, Bisset allowed herself to change. Her voice deepened. Her face softened. Her performances became less about being seen and more about seeing.
\nShe appeared in films that were forgotten and others that endured. She moved easily between romance, thriller, drama, and television. She cultivated a kind of professional equanimity\u2014an acceptance that allowed her to continue working without desperation.
\n\u00a0
\n
This patience was rewarded. In 2014, when she won the Golden Globe for her role in the BBC miniseries Dancing on the Edge. Her acceptance speech\u2014unguarded, rambling, sincere\u2014went viral. It was the opposite of polished. She spoke about love, self-doubt, perseverance, and the difficulty of being kind to oneself. In a culture obsessed with rehearsed gratitude and brand-safe emotion, her speech felt almost shocking in its honesty.
\nBisset has never married and has no children, but had long-term romances with Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, Moroccan real estate magnate Victor Drai, Russian dancer/actor Alexander Godunov, Swiss actor Vincent Perez and Turkish martial arts instructor Emin Boztepe. And she is Angelina Jolie\u2019s godmother. She has often spoken candidly about the choices and compromises of a life devoted to work. At 81 she now lives in Beverley Hills and is a less frequent visitor to her roots in Reading, but continues to act, with her most recent role in the Western, Long Shadows, released in November 2025.
", "description": "Discover the fascinating journey of Weybridge-born actress Jacqueline Bisset, from her childhood in Tilehurst to becoming a celebrated icon of European cinema, known for her independent spirit and evolving career.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:17.114643+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-02-01T18:37:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, UK", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-people-jacqueline-bisset/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "325", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-in-2026/", "title": "Reading in 2026", "content_html": "Will 2026 see any major changes in Reading, or will it largely be business as usual ? We have a peek in our crystal ball for what the coming year holds in store for our town.
\nNew Developments: Office Conversions Dominate
\nWith the Labour government restating their objective to build a million and a half new homes in the lifetime of its government, there is little doubt that we will continue to see large scale development in the town.
\nBy 2026, the Station Hill development\u2014the massive \u00a3850 million project transforming the town centre is reaching its final stages, and on the other side of the station the Riverside redevelopment of the SSE site on the river is also taking shape. However, plans to redevelop the furniture shops at Forbury Retail Park have lapsed.
\nIt seems that the main development theme of 2026 in the centre of town will be the redevelopment of swathes of empty offices into residential accommodation. Already a second building in the old M&G campus - formerly the site of the Huntley & Palmers HQ, are being redeveloped into housing and now permission is being sought to convert the old Regus office building in Thames Valley Park into housing as there is less and less demand for office space in and around the town.
\nMeanwhile Loddon Valley Garden Village seems likely to break ground. This up to 4,5000 home extension proposed by the University of Reading will likely see a final planning determination, setting the stage for one of the largest residential expansions in the town\u2019s history.
\nDespite its use for most of 2025 as a film set, plans are yet to emerge for Reading Gaol under the ownership of the Ziran Education Foundation, but 2026 is tipped to be the year we see formal architectural plans for \"The ReCentre,\" a culture-led hub featuring art galleries and a boutique hotel within the historic prison walls.
\nSee the map below for an updated overview of all the developments in central Reading.
\n
Tough Times For Retail
As the endless Evri, Royal Mail and DPD delivery vans seen all over town testify, things are getting tougher and tougher for retail shops in the face of online competitions from US and Chinese giants such as Amazon and Temu.
\nThe introduction of the new \u2018small packages tax\u2019 which will see duty levied on all overseas deliveries may swing things slightly in favour of U.K. retailers, but both the Oracle and Broad Street Mall will see 2026 as a pivotal year where major residential developments take over from any retail expansion.
\n
Local Government: More Money From Government
Reading Borough Council enters 2026 with a projected \u00a3211 million revenue budget - a significant increase over previous year as the government reallocated funds from richer councils such as Wokingham, but the focus will be on closing a funding gap. According to the Council:
\u00a0
\"Despite having identified additional in year savings of \u00a35.6 million this year, the latest in-year budget projections for 2025/26 still show an overall deficit of \u00a34 million. This includes a net deficit of \u00a35.4 million on Children\u2019s Services, mainly due to increased placement costs related to looking after vulnerable children and young people, many of whom are presenting with more complex needs.
\"The Council will finalise its budget for 2026/27 and the savings needed to deliver a balanced budget in February next year, following the publication of the Local Government Finance Settlement, which sets out how much funding councils will receive from central government.
\"At this time however, the increase in demand for Council services, combined with the increasing cost of meeting that demand, is driving a projected funding gap of \u00a34.4 million for next year (2026/27), moving to a projected \u00a33.5 million by 2028/29. This results in a cumulative gap of \u00a314.8 million over the next three years. The Council currently has \u00a317.5 million of un-ringfenced usable reserves that have not been earmarked for spend in other areas (forecast for March 2026).
\"The above numbers assume an annual increase in Council Tax of 2.99% and the Adult Social Care precept of 2.00%. If the Council were to keep Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept at the current level, this would make the budget gap next year bigger by \u00a36.4 million, resulting in a gap of \u00a310.8 million for 2026/27.\"
There is good news for motorists and cyclists as the council will continue its \u00a311.7 million highways programme, meaning 2026 will be a year of continued road resurfacing and the rollout of more electric refuse vehicles, which are expected to make up over 95% of the fleet. Reading buses will also continue to convert to electricity and hydrogen.
\nYou can give your thoughts on the budget via a consultation that is open until 17th January at https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/budget-engagement-2026-27
\n
Political Winds
Reading follows the \u2018rule of thirds\u2019 with a third of council seats up for re-election every year. This year\u2019s elections will be on Thursday 7th May and will, perhaps, be the most significant for some time with the nationwide rise of the fascist Reform U.K. party.
\nCurrent predictions see the Greens improving their performance in central Reading with Reform U.K. \u00a0making considerable gains in the outskirts of town.
\nA hung council in Reading, following the same outcome last year in Wokingham may be a possibility.
\nApril 2026 is the deadline to register to vote for the local elections, with polling on May 7, 2026 between 7 am \u2013 10 pm (a photo id is required) with results announced on May 8, 2026 at Rivermead Leisure Centre count.
\n\u00a0
\nBills, Bills, Bills
\nOne thing is for certain - household bills will largely go up again in 2026, although the period of very high price rises seems set to steady. somewhat.
\nFor the first quarter of 2026, Ofgem has set the energy price cap at \u00a31,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. This represents a minor 0.2% increase (about \u00a33) compared to the end of 2025. Electricity rates are averaging 27.69p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 54.75p. Gas rates are averaging 5.93p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 35.09p.\u00a0While wholesale prices have stabilized, major suppliers like British Gas and EDF have signaled that the cap could jump toward \u00a31,840 in April 2026 before potentially dipping again in the summer. The move to EVs and the rush to build data centres means that energy demand is higher than ever, despite nearly half of U.K. energy now coming from renewables.
\nDespite increases in funding from central government Reading Borough Council is facing a projected funding gap of over \u00a34 million for the 2026/27 financial year. To bridge this, the council\u2019s current budgeting assumes a total increase of 2.99% adding around \u00a380 to the average household.
\nFor Reading's least loved company, Thames Water, 2026 marks the beginning of a new five-year \"Price Review\" period (PR24). While Thames Water initially requested much higher hikes, the latest determinations suggest a more moderated but still significant rise with most dual-service (water and waste) households in Reading likely to see bill hikes of around 5% for the 2026/27 period, although Thames Water is arguing for much higher rises despite the massive 31% jump seen in 2025.
\nThe cost of the weekly shop in Reading\u2019s supermarkets is finally expected to outpace general inflation in the right direction in 2026. Food and drink inflation is projected to slow to roughly 3.1% by December 2026, down from peaks of over 5% in late 2025.
\n
Going Out In 2026
With the redevelopment of much of Oracle Riverside, it is likely that the town\u2019s eating out scene will gravitate towards the new openings of Kings Road and the Village and Station Hill, where Wokingham Italian Angelo\u2019s is about to open a branch, along with a new offering from the owners of the Osaka Japanese restaurant, joining new coffee bar Notes which has already opened.
\n\u00a0The Hexagon's Face-lift: 2026 marks a major phase in the \u00a316.6 million redevelopment of the Hexagon Theatre. A brand-new performance space and revamped foyer are set to make it a more competitive venue for touring West End shows and big-name comedians.
\u00a0
Reading Festival 2026
\nThe 2026 Reading Festival is shaping up to be a historic milestone for the UK music scene. In a bold move, organizers have unveiled a headline roster that consists exclusively of British and Irish talent\u2014the first time the festival has committed to such a lineup in a quarter of a century. This homecoming theme marks a significant pivot for the August Bank Holiday weekend, emphasizing the current global dominance of local artists across pop, rap, and alternative genres.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/131922b5d4c8.webp\")
Leading the charge is Charli XCX, who arrives at Richfield Avenue following the seismic cultural impact of her \"Brat\" era. Her appearance is billed as her only UK festival performance of 2026, making it one of the most anticipated sets in the festival\u2019s recent history. Joining her is the Mercury Prize-winning Dave, whose status as the definitive voice of British rap was further cemented by his third consecutive number-one album, The Boy Who Played the Harp.
\nThe lineup continues its high-caliber run with Florence + The Machine, returning to the Reading stage for the first time since 2012. Florence Welch\u2019s set is expected to draw heavily from her critically acclaimed project Everybody Scream, promising a characteristically ethereal and high-energy performance. Meanwhile, RAYE\u2014fresh from a record-breaking year of industry awards\u2014makes her triumphant return to the festival she first attended as a teenager, now occupying the top of the bill as a global pop powerhouse.
\nRounding out the main stage headliners are Dublin\u2019s Fontaines D.C. and the legendary electronic duo Chase & Status. For Fontaines D.C., the 2026 slot represents a definitive ascent to rock royalty, while Chase & Status are set to deliver a high-octane finale in what is currently their only scheduled live performance for the entire year.
\nWhile the headliners have captured the headlines, the supporting bill offers a deep dive into the diverse sounds currently defining the UK charts and underground scenes. Grime pioneer Skepta is set to return, alongside the provocative Irish trio Kneecap, who are expected to bring their unique brand of political hip-hop to a massive audience.
\nThe festival also continues its tradition of platforming rising stars and genre-bending acts. Attendees can expect sets from JADE (following her successful transition into a solo career), indie-rockers Geese, and the soulful Sombr. Electronic music fans have much to look forward to as well, with Kettama and Josh Baker confirmed, while DJ Chris Stussy will perform an exclusive set specifically for the Reading site.
\nThe 2026 Reading Festival will take place from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. While the sister site in Leeds is introducing a new tradition with a Thursday main stage kickoff headlined by Kasabian, Reading will stick to its classic three-day arena format. Tickets for the weekend are already on general sale, and with several artists performing \"exclusive\" sets, demand is expected to reach record highs.
\n
A Royal Recovery for Reading FC ?
After years of financial instability and points deductions, 2026 is set to be the year Reading FC finally trades \"survival mode\" for a long-term rebuilding under its new ownership with a push to get back into the Championship and beyond.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/205a0d9ed8ae.jpeg\")
One of the most concrete predictions for 2026 is a massive overhaul of the playing facilities at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Following exploratory groundworks in late 2025, the club has scheduled a full-scale pitch reconstruction for the summer of 2026. This will involve installing a high-performance hybrid surface (interwoven natural grass and synthetic fibers) similar to those used by Premier League giants.
\nUnder the new leadership of Chairman Rob Couhig, 2026 will see the results of a consultation with stadium infrastructure specialists. Expect upgraded digital connectivity (Wi-Fi 6) and a push to make the stadium a \"best in class\" conference and event destination on non-matchdays with development going on around the site with new flats and other facilities - plans for a new 4,000-capacity conference center and ice rink next to the stadium will likely see a \"go/no-go\" decision in mid-2026, as the new owners decide how much of the surrounding land to develop for ancillary revenue.
\nThe 2025/26 season is the first full campaign under manager Leam Richardson (appointed in late 2024) and it has had mixed results. Reading currently sit eleventh in the third tier of English football, just behind local rivals Wycombe and seven points off the play-off places.
\n\u00a0Perhaps most significantly, the new year will be the first year the club operates entirely free of the EFL's \"business plan\" restrictions. Expect a significant\u2014but calculated\u2014investment in the January 2026 window to bolster a promotion charge, with a focus on Championship-proven talent rather than high-risk gambles.
\u00a0
The Reading Academy system continues to excel despite the challenges of recent years and academy graduate Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and midfielder Michael Craig are expected to either lead the club back to the Championship - unless they command multi-million pound transfer fees that will fund the club's next three years of operation. It will be a fascinating and crucial transfer window for the club\u2019s future.
\u00a0
After a heartbreaking drop to the fifth tier in 2024, 2026 is predicted to be the year the Reading FC Women begin their serious climb back up the pyramid, with increased integration into the main club\u2019s training facilities at Bearwood Park.
\u00a0
\nReading Sports Excelling
\nWhile Reading FC often dominates the headlines, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the town\u2019s broader sporting elite. East of town, and on opposite sides of Old Bath Road, our hockey and rugby sides are amongst the best in the country.
\nFor Reading Hockey Club, 2026 represents a year of reaching to be the best in England. Following a transformative 2025 season where the women\u2019s team reclaimed their status as national champions and the men secured a long-awaited return to the Premier Division, the club is now operating at the pinnacle of the English game.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/8d896440fcee.jpeg\")
The early months of 2026 will see the men's first team battling to solidify their position in the top flight. After surviving the initial split of the league in late 2025, the focus for the spring will be on securing a top-six finish to ensure they are safe from the relegation playoffs. Meanwhile, the women\u2019s team enters 2026 with a target on their backs as defending champions. Their primary objective for the year is a return to European competition, with the Premier Division Finals in early May serving as the ultimate stage to prove their 2025 title was the start of a new dynasty rather than a one-off success.
\nIn the world of rugby, the spotlight falls squarely on Rams RFC. The club has spent several seasons knocking on the door of the Championship, the second tier of professional English rugby. The first half of 2026 will be the most critical period in the club's history. By April 11, when they face a high-stakes away trip to Rotherham Titans, the shape of the promotion race will be clear.
\nThe final home games of the season at Old Bath Road in late April, against Rosslyn Park and Sedgley Park, are expected to be sell-out events. If the Rams can secure the National League 1 title or succeed in the newly introduced promotion playoff in May, 2026 will be the year professional rugby officially returns to the Reading area. This ascent would not only raise the club's profile but also likely trigger infrastructure upgrades at their home ground to meet Championship standards.
\nBeyond the elite promotion chases, the town\u2019s other leading rugby clubs, Reading RFC and Reading Abbey, are focusing on long-term sustainability. In 2026, both clubs are rolling out expanded youth and women\u2019s programs, partially funded by the legacy of the 2025 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup. For Reading Abbey, specifically, the year is about maintaining their reputation as a community hub, with 2026 seeing the completion of several facility refreshments aimed at increasing mid-week community use at their Emmer Green home.
\nOn the court, the Reading Rockets are entering 2026 with a revamped identity and a roster bolstered by high-profile American signings like Malik Bryant and Jax Bouknight. Competing in the British Basketball Championship, the Rockets are spending the spring of 2026 chasing \"The Double\"\u2014looking to follow up a regular-season title charge with a deep run in the postseason playoffs. Their consistent success at the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre has also fueled ongoing 2026 discussions regarding a potential move to a more central, high-capacity venue as the \"Rocket Family\" fan base continues to outgrow its current home.
\nThe year ahead bodes well for these and many other sports in our town. Check out our directory below if you would like to support or take part in sports at whatever level in 2026.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "Will 2026 see any major changes in Reading, or will it largely be business as usual ? We have a peek in our crystal ball for what the coming year holds in store for our town.\nNew Developments: Office Conversions Dominate\nWith the Labour government restating their objective to build a million and a half new homes in the lifetime of its government, there is little doubt that we will continue to see large scale development in the town.\nBy 2026, the Station Hill development\u2014the massive \u00a3850 million project transforming the town centre is reaching its final stages, and on the other side of the station the Riverside redevelopment of the SSE site on the river is also taking shape. However, plans to redevelop the furniture shops at Forbury Retail Park have lapsed.\nIt seems that the main development theme of 2026 in the centre of town will be the redevelopment of swathes of empty offices into residential accommodation. Already a second building in the old M&G campus - formerly the site of the Huntley & Palmers HQ, are being redeveloped into housing and now permission is being sought to convert the old Regus office building in Thames Valley Park into housing as there is less and less demand for office space in and around the town.\nMeanwhile Loddon Valley Garden Village seems likely to break ground. This up to 4,5000 home extension proposed by the University of Reading will likely see a final planning determination, setting the stage for one of the largest residential expansions in the town\u2019s history.\nDespite its use for most of 2025 as a film set, plans are yet to emerge for Reading Gaol under the ownership of the Ziran Education Foundation, but 2026 is tipped to be the year we see formal architectural plans for \"The ReCentre,\" a culture-led hub featuring art galleries and a boutique hotel within the historic prison walls.\nSee the map below for an updated overview of all the developments in central Reading.\nTough Times For Retail\nAs the endless Evri, Royal Mail and DPD delivery vans seen all over town testify, things are getting tougher and tougher for retail shops in the face of online competitions from US and Chinese giants such as Amazon and Temu.\nThe introduction of the new \u2018small packages tax\u2019 which will see duty levied on all overseas deliveries may swing things slightly in favour of U.K. retailers, but both the Oracle and Broad Street Mall will see 2026 as a pivotal year where major residential developments take over from any retail expansion.\nLocal Government: More Money From Government\nReading Borough Council enters 2026 with a projected \u00a3211 million revenue budget - a significant increase over previous year as the government reallocated funds from richer councils such as Wokingham, but the focus will be on closing a funding gap. According to the Council:\u00a0\"Despite having identified additional in year savings of \u00a35.6 million this year, the latest in-year budget projections for 2025/26 still show an overall deficit of \u00a34 million. This includes a net deficit of \u00a35.4 million on Children\u2019s Services, mainly due to increased placement costs related to looking after vulnerable children and young people, many of whom are presenting with more complex needs.\n\"The Council will finalise its budget for 2026/27 and the savings needed to deliver a balanced budget in February next year, following the publication of the Local Government Finance Settlement, which sets out how much funding councils will receive from central government.\"At this time however, the increase in demand for Council services, combined with the increasing cost of meeting that demand, is driving a projected funding gap of \u00a34.4 million for next year (2026/27), moving to a projected \u00a33.5 million by 2028/29. This results in a cumulative gap of \u00a314.8 million over the next three years. The Council currently has \u00a317.5 million of un-ringfenced usable reserves that have not been earmarked for spend in other areas (forecast for March 2026).\"The above numbers assume an annual increase in Council Tax of 2.99% and the Adult Social Care precept of 2.00%. If the Council were to keep Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept at the current level, this would make the budget gap next year bigger by \u00a36.4 million, resulting in a gap of \u00a310.8 million for 2026/27.\"\nThere is good news for motorists and cyclists as the council will continue its \u00a311.7 million highways programme, meaning 2026 will be a year of continued road resurfacing and the rollout of more electric refuse vehicles, which are expected to make up over 95% of the fleet. Reading buses will also continue to convert to electricity and hydrogen.\nYou can give your thoughts on the budget via a consultation that is open until 17th January at https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/budget-engagement-2026-27\nPolitical Winds\nReading follows the \u2018rule of thirds\u2019 with a third of council seats up for re-election every year. This year\u2019s elections will be on Thursday 7th May and will, perhaps, be the most significant for some time with the nationwide rise of the fascist Reform U.K. party.\nCurrent predictions see the Greens improving their performance in central Reading with Reform U.K. \u00a0making considerable gains in the outskirts of town.\nA hung council in Reading, following the same outcome last year in Wokingham may be a possibility.\nApril 2026 is the deadline to register to vote for the local elections, with polling on May 7, 2026 between 7 am \u2013 10 pm (a photo id is required) with results announced on May 8, 2026 at Rivermead Leisure Centre count.\n\u00a0\nBills, Bills, Bills\nOne thing is for certain - household bills will largely go up again in 2026, although the period of very high price rises seems set to steady. somewhat.\nFor the first quarter of 2026, Ofgem has set the energy price cap at \u00a31,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. This represents a minor 0.2% increase (about \u00a33) compared to the end of 2025. Electricity rates are averaging 27.69p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 54.75p. Gas rates are averaging 5.93p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 35.09p.\u00a0While wholesale prices have stabilized, major suppliers like British Gas and EDF have signaled that the cap could jump toward \u00a31,840 in April 2026 before potentially dipping again in the summer. The move to EVs and the rush to build data centres means that energy demand is higher than ever, despite nearly half of U.K. energy now coming from renewables.\nDespite increases in funding from central government Reading Borough Council is facing a projected funding gap of over \u00a34 million for the 2026/27 financial year. To bridge this, the council\u2019s current budgeting assumes a total increase of 2.99% adding around \u00a380 to the average household.\nFor Reading's least loved company, Thames Water, 2026 marks the beginning of a new five-year \"Price Review\" period (PR24). While Thames Water initially requested much higher hikes, the latest determinations suggest a more moderated but still significant rise with most dual-service (water and waste) households in Reading likely to see bill hikes of around 5% for the 2026/27 period, although Thames Water is arguing for much higher rises despite the massive 31% jump seen in 2025.\nThe cost of the weekly shop in Reading\u2019s supermarkets is finally expected to outpace general inflation in the right direction in 2026. Food and drink inflation is projected to slow to roughly 3.1% by December 2026, down from peaks of over 5% in late 2025.\nGoing Out In 2026\nWith the redevelopment of much of Oracle Riverside, it is likely that the town\u2019s eating out scene will gravitate towards the new openings of Kings Road and the Village and Station Hill, where Wokingham Italian Angelo\u2019s is about to open a branch, along with a new offering from the owners of the Osaka Japanese restaurant, joining new coffee bar Notes which has already opened.\n\u00a0The Hexagon's Face-lift: 2026 marks a major phase in the \u00a316.6 million redevelopment of the Hexagon Theatre. A brand-new performance space and revamped foyer are set to make it a more competitive venue for touring West End shows and big-name comedians.\u00a0\nReading Festival 2026\nThe 2026 Reading Festival is shaping up to be a historic milestone for the UK music scene. In a bold move, organizers have unveiled a headline roster that consists exclusively of British and Irish talent\u2014the first time the festival has committed to such a lineup in a quarter of a century. This homecoming theme marks a significant pivot for the August Bank Holiday weekend, emphasizing the current global dominance of local artists across pop, rap, and alternative genres.\n\nLeading the charge is Charli XCX, who arrives at Richfield Avenue following the seismic cultural impact of her \"Brat\" era. Her appearance is billed as her only UK festival performance of 2026, making it one of the most anticipated sets in the festival\u2019s recent history. Joining her is the Mercury Prize-winning Dave, whose status as the definitive voice of British rap was further cemented by his third consecutive number-one album, The Boy Who Played the Harp.\nThe lineup continues its high-caliber run with Florence + The Machine, returning to the Reading stage for the first time since 2012. Florence Welch\u2019s set is expected to draw heavily from her critically acclaimed project Everybody Scream, promising a characteristically ethereal and high-energy performance. Meanwhile, RAYE\u2014fresh from a record-breaking year of industry awards\u2014makes her triumphant return to the festival she first attended as a teenager, now occupying the top of the bill as a global pop powerhouse.\nRounding out the main stage headliners are Dublin\u2019s Fontaines D.C. and the legendary electronic duo Chase & Status. For Fontaines D.C., the 2026 slot represents a definitive ascent to rock royalty, while Chase & Status are set to deliver a high-octane finale in what is currently their only scheduled live performance for the entire year.\nWhile the headliners have captured the headlines, the supporting bill offers a deep dive into the diverse sounds currently defining the UK charts and underground scenes. Grime pioneer Skepta is set to return, alongside the provocative Irish trio Kneecap, who are expected to bring their unique brand of political hip-hop to a massive audience.\nThe festival also continues its tradition of platforming rising stars and genre-bending acts. Attendees can expect sets from JADE (following her successful transition into a solo career), indie-rockers Geese, and the soulful Sombr. Electronic music fans have much to look forward to as well, with Kettama and Josh Baker confirmed, while DJ Chris Stussy will perform an exclusive set specifically for the Reading site.\nThe 2026 Reading Festival will take place from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. While the sister site in Leeds is introducing a new tradition with a Thursday main stage kickoff headlined by Kasabian, Reading will stick to its classic three-day arena format. Tickets for the weekend are already on general sale, and with several artists performing \"exclusive\" sets, demand is expected to reach record highs.\nA Royal Recovery for Reading FC ?\nAfter years of financial instability and points deductions, 2026 is set to be the year Reading FC finally trades \"survival mode\" for a long-term rebuilding under its new ownership with a push to get back into the Championship and beyond.\n\nOne of the most concrete predictions for 2026 is a massive overhaul of the playing facilities at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Following exploratory groundworks in late 2025, the club has scheduled a full-scale pitch reconstruction for the summer of 2026. This will involve installing a high-performance hybrid surface (interwoven natural grass and synthetic fibers) similar to those used by Premier League giants.\nUnder the new leadership of Chairman Rob Couhig, 2026 will see the results of a consultation with stadium infrastructure specialists. Expect upgraded digital connectivity (Wi-Fi 6) and a push to make the stadium a \"best in class\" conference and event destination on non-matchdays with development going on around the site with new flats and other facilities - plans for a new 4,000-capacity conference center and ice rink next to the stadium will likely see a \"go/no-go\" decision in mid-2026, as the new owners decide how much of the surrounding land to develop for ancillary revenue.\nThe 2025/26 season is the first full campaign under manager Leam Richardson (appointed in late 2024) and it has had mixed results. Reading currently sit eleventh in the third tier of English football, just behind local rivals Wycombe and seven points off the play-off places.\n\u00a0Perhaps most significantly, the new year will be the first year the club operates entirely free of the EFL's \"business plan\" restrictions. Expect a significant\u2014but calculated\u2014investment in the January 2026 window to bolster a promotion charge, with a focus on Championship-proven talent rather than high-risk gambles.\u00a0The Reading Academy system continues to excel despite the challenges of recent years and academy graduate Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and midfielder Michael Craig are expected to either lead the club back to the Championship - unless they command multi-million pound transfer fees that will fund the club's next three years of operation. It will be a fascinating and crucial transfer window for the club\u2019s future.\u00a0After a heartbreaking drop to the fifth tier in 2024, 2026 is predicted to be the year the Reading FC Women begin their serious climb back up the pyramid, with increased integration into the main club\u2019s training facilities at Bearwood Park.\n\u00a0\nReading Sports Excelling\nWhile Reading FC often dominates the headlines, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the town\u2019s broader sporting elite. East of town, and on opposite sides of Old Bath Road, our hockey and rugby sides are amongst the best in the country.\nFor Reading Hockey Club, 2026 represents a year of reaching to be the best in England. Following a transformative 2025 season where the women\u2019s team reclaimed their status as national champions and the men secured a long-awaited return to the Premier Division, the club is now operating at the pinnacle of the English game.\n\nThe early months of 2026 will see the men's first team battling to solidify their position in the top flight. After surviving the initial split of the league in late 2025, the focus for the spring will be on securing a top-six finish to ensure they are safe from the relegation playoffs. Meanwhile, the women\u2019s team enters 2026 with a target on their backs as defending champions. Their primary objective for the year is a return to European competition, with the Premier Division Finals in early May serving as the ultimate stage to prove their 2025 title was the start of a new dynasty rather than a one-off success.\nIn the world of rugby, the spotlight falls squarely on Rams RFC. The club has spent several seasons knocking on the door of the Championship, the second tier of professional English rugby. The first half of 2026 will be the most critical period in the club's history. By April 11, when they face a high-stakes away trip to Rotherham Titans, the shape of the promotion race will be clear.\nThe final home games of the season at Old Bath Road in late April, against Rosslyn Park and Sedgley Park, are expected to be sell-out events. If the Rams can secure the National League 1 title or succeed in the newly introduced promotion playoff in May, 2026 will be the year professional rugby officially returns to the Reading area. This ascent would not only raise the club's profile but also likely trigger infrastructure upgrades at their home ground to meet Championship standards.\nBeyond the elite promotion chases, the town\u2019s other leading rugby clubs, Reading RFC and Reading Abbey, are focusing on long-term sustainability. In 2026, both clubs are rolling out expanded youth and women\u2019s programs, partially funded by the legacy of the 2025 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup. For Reading Abbey, specifically, the year is about maintaining their reputation as a community hub, with 2026 seeing the completion of several facility refreshments aimed at increasing mid-week community use at their Emmer Green home.\nOn the court, the Reading Rockets are entering 2026 with a revamped identity and a roster bolstered by high-profile American signings like Malik Bryant and Jax Bouknight. Competing in the British Basketball Championship, the Rockets are spending the spring of 2026 chasing \"The Double\"\u2014looking to follow up a regular-season title charge with a deep run in the postseason playoffs. Their consistent success at the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre has also fueled ongoing 2026 discussions regarding a potential move to a more central, high-capacity venue as the \"Rocket Family\" fan base continues to outgrow its current home.\nThe year ahead bodes well for these and many other sports in our town. Check out our directory below if you would like to support or take part in sports at whatever level in 2026.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "Get a glimpse into Reading's transformation by 2026. Discover major development plans including office conversions to housing, the evolving retail landscape, and the financial outlook for Reading Borough Council.", "date_published": "2026-02-01T18:32:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:19.015274+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/7559838b.jpeg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/7559838b.jpeg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading in 2026", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 3166, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Will 2026 see any major changes in Reading, or will it largely be business as usual ? We have a peek in our crystal ball for what the coming year holds in store for our town.
\nNew Developments: Office Conversions Dominate
\nWith the Labour government restating their objective to build a million and a half new homes in the lifetime of its government, there is little doubt that we will continue to see large scale development in the town.
\nBy 2026, the Station Hill development\u2014the massive \u00a3850 million project transforming the town centre is reaching its final stages, and on the other side of the station the Riverside redevelopment of the SSE site on the river is also taking shape. However, plans to redevelop the furniture shops at Forbury Retail Park have lapsed.
\nIt seems that the main development theme of 2026 in the centre of town will be the redevelopment of swathes of empty offices into residential accommodation. Already a second building in the old M&G campus - formerly the site of the Huntley & Palmers HQ, are being redeveloped into housing and now permission is being sought to convert the old Regus office building in Thames Valley Park into housing as there is less and less demand for office space in and around the town.
\nMeanwhile Loddon Valley Garden Village seems likely to break ground. This up to 4,5000 home extension proposed by the University of Reading will likely see a final planning determination, setting the stage for one of the largest residential expansions in the town\u2019s history.
\nDespite its use for most of 2025 as a film set, plans are yet to emerge for Reading Gaol under the ownership of the Ziran Education Foundation, but 2026 is tipped to be the year we see formal architectural plans for \"The ReCentre,\" a culture-led hub featuring art galleries and a boutique hotel within the historic prison walls.
\nSee the map below for an updated overview of all the developments in central Reading.
\n
Tough Times For Retail
As the endless Evri, Royal Mail and DPD delivery vans seen all over town testify, things are getting tougher and tougher for retail shops in the face of online competitions from US and Chinese giants such as Amazon and Temu.
\nThe introduction of the new \u2018small packages tax\u2019 which will see duty levied on all overseas deliveries may swing things slightly in favour of U.K. retailers, but both the Oracle and Broad Street Mall will see 2026 as a pivotal year where major residential developments take over from any retail expansion.
\n
Local Government: More Money From Government
Reading Borough Council enters 2026 with a projected \u00a3211 million revenue budget - a significant increase over previous year as the government reallocated funds from richer councils such as Wokingham, but the focus will be on closing a funding gap. According to the Council:
\u00a0
\"Despite having identified additional in year savings of \u00a35.6 million this year, the latest in-year budget projections for 2025/26 still show an overall deficit of \u00a34 million. This includes a net deficit of \u00a35.4 million on Children\u2019s Services, mainly due to increased placement costs related to looking after vulnerable children and young people, many of whom are presenting with more complex needs.
\"The Council will finalise its budget for 2026/27 and the savings needed to deliver a balanced budget in February next year, following the publication of the Local Government Finance Settlement, which sets out how much funding councils will receive from central government.
\"At this time however, the increase in demand for Council services, combined with the increasing cost of meeting that demand, is driving a projected funding gap of \u00a34.4 million for next year (2026/27), moving to a projected \u00a33.5 million by 2028/29. This results in a cumulative gap of \u00a314.8 million over the next three years. The Council currently has \u00a317.5 million of un-ringfenced usable reserves that have not been earmarked for spend in other areas (forecast for March 2026).
\"The above numbers assume an annual increase in Council Tax of 2.99% and the Adult Social Care precept of 2.00%. If the Council were to keep Council Tax and the Adult Social Care precept at the current level, this would make the budget gap next year bigger by \u00a36.4 million, resulting in a gap of \u00a310.8 million for 2026/27.\"
There is good news for motorists and cyclists as the council will continue its \u00a311.7 million highways programme, meaning 2026 will be a year of continued road resurfacing and the rollout of more electric refuse vehicles, which are expected to make up over 95% of the fleet. Reading buses will also continue to convert to electricity and hydrogen.
\nYou can give your thoughts on the budget via a consultation that is open until 17th January at https://reading.govocal.com/en-GB/projects/budget-engagement-2026-27
\n
Political Winds
Reading follows the \u2018rule of thirds\u2019 with a third of council seats up for re-election every year. This year\u2019s elections will be on Thursday 7th May and will, perhaps, be the most significant for some time with the nationwide rise of the fascist Reform U.K. party.
\nCurrent predictions see the Greens improving their performance in central Reading with Reform U.K. \u00a0making considerable gains in the outskirts of town.
\nA hung council in Reading, following the same outcome last year in Wokingham may be a possibility.
\nApril 2026 is the deadline to register to vote for the local elections, with polling on May 7, 2026 between 7 am \u2013 10 pm (a photo id is required) with results announced on May 8, 2026 at Rivermead Leisure Centre count.
\n\u00a0
\nBills, Bills, Bills
\nOne thing is for certain - household bills will largely go up again in 2026, although the period of very high price rises seems set to steady. somewhat.
\nFor the first quarter of 2026, Ofgem has set the energy price cap at \u00a31,758 per year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit. This represents a minor 0.2% increase (about \u00a33) compared to the end of 2025. Electricity rates are averaging 27.69p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 54.75p. Gas rates are averaging 5.93p per kWh with a daily standing charge of 35.09p.\u00a0While wholesale prices have stabilized, major suppliers like British Gas and EDF have signaled that the cap could jump toward \u00a31,840 in April 2026 before potentially dipping again in the summer. The move to EVs and the rush to build data centres means that energy demand is higher than ever, despite nearly half of U.K. energy now coming from renewables.
\nDespite increases in funding from central government Reading Borough Council is facing a projected funding gap of over \u00a34 million for the 2026/27 financial year. To bridge this, the council\u2019s current budgeting assumes a total increase of 2.99% adding around \u00a380 to the average household.
\nFor Reading's least loved company, Thames Water, 2026 marks the beginning of a new five-year \"Price Review\" period (PR24). While Thames Water initially requested much higher hikes, the latest determinations suggest a more moderated but still significant rise with most dual-service (water and waste) households in Reading likely to see bill hikes of around 5% for the 2026/27 period, although Thames Water is arguing for much higher rises despite the massive 31% jump seen in 2025.
\nThe cost of the weekly shop in Reading\u2019s supermarkets is finally expected to outpace general inflation in the right direction in 2026. Food and drink inflation is projected to slow to roughly 3.1% by December 2026, down from peaks of over 5% in late 2025.
\n
Going Out In 2026
With the redevelopment of much of Oracle Riverside, it is likely that the town\u2019s eating out scene will gravitate towards the new openings of Kings Road and the Village and Station Hill, where Wokingham Italian Angelo\u2019s is about to open a branch, along with a new offering from the owners of the Osaka Japanese restaurant, joining new coffee bar Notes which has already opened.
\n\u00a0The Hexagon's Face-lift: 2026 marks a major phase in the \u00a316.6 million redevelopment of the Hexagon Theatre. A brand-new performance space and revamped foyer are set to make it a more competitive venue for touring West End shows and big-name comedians.
\u00a0
Reading Festival 2026
\nThe 2026 Reading Festival is shaping up to be a historic milestone for the UK music scene. In a bold move, organizers have unveiled a headline roster that consists exclusively of British and Irish talent\u2014the first time the festival has committed to such a lineup in a quarter of a century. This homecoming theme marks a significant pivot for the August Bank Holiday weekend, emphasizing the current global dominance of local artists across pop, rap, and alternative genres.
\n
Leading the charge is Charli XCX, who arrives at Richfield Avenue following the seismic cultural impact of her \"Brat\" era. Her appearance is billed as her only UK festival performance of 2026, making it one of the most anticipated sets in the festival\u2019s recent history. Joining her is the Mercury Prize-winning Dave, whose status as the definitive voice of British rap was further cemented by his third consecutive number-one album, The Boy Who Played the Harp.
\nThe lineup continues its high-caliber run with Florence + The Machine, returning to the Reading stage for the first time since 2012. Florence Welch\u2019s set is expected to draw heavily from her critically acclaimed project Everybody Scream, promising a characteristically ethereal and high-energy performance. Meanwhile, RAYE\u2014fresh from a record-breaking year of industry awards\u2014makes her triumphant return to the festival she first attended as a teenager, now occupying the top of the bill as a global pop powerhouse.
\nRounding out the main stage headliners are Dublin\u2019s Fontaines D.C. and the legendary electronic duo Chase & Status. For Fontaines D.C., the 2026 slot represents a definitive ascent to rock royalty, while Chase & Status are set to deliver a high-octane finale in what is currently their only scheduled live performance for the entire year.
\nWhile the headliners have captured the headlines, the supporting bill offers a deep dive into the diverse sounds currently defining the UK charts and underground scenes. Grime pioneer Skepta is set to return, alongside the provocative Irish trio Kneecap, who are expected to bring their unique brand of political hip-hop to a massive audience.
\nThe festival also continues its tradition of platforming rising stars and genre-bending acts. Attendees can expect sets from JADE (following her successful transition into a solo career), indie-rockers Geese, and the soulful Sombr. Electronic music fans have much to look forward to as well, with Kettama and Josh Baker confirmed, while DJ Chris Stussy will perform an exclusive set specifically for the Reading site.
\nThe 2026 Reading Festival will take place from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30. While the sister site in Leeds is introducing a new tradition with a Thursday main stage kickoff headlined by Kasabian, Reading will stick to its classic three-day arena format. Tickets for the weekend are already on general sale, and with several artists performing \"exclusive\" sets, demand is expected to reach record highs.
\n
A Royal Recovery for Reading FC ?
After years of financial instability and points deductions, 2026 is set to be the year Reading FC finally trades \"survival mode\" for a long-term rebuilding under its new ownership with a push to get back into the Championship and beyond.
\n
One of the most concrete predictions for 2026 is a massive overhaul of the playing facilities at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Following exploratory groundworks in late 2025, the club has scheduled a full-scale pitch reconstruction for the summer of 2026. This will involve installing a high-performance hybrid surface (interwoven natural grass and synthetic fibers) similar to those used by Premier League giants.
\nUnder the new leadership of Chairman Rob Couhig, 2026 will see the results of a consultation with stadium infrastructure specialists. Expect upgraded digital connectivity (Wi-Fi 6) and a push to make the stadium a \"best in class\" conference and event destination on non-matchdays with development going on around the site with new flats and other facilities - plans for a new 4,000-capacity conference center and ice rink next to the stadium will likely see a \"go/no-go\" decision in mid-2026, as the new owners decide how much of the surrounding land to develop for ancillary revenue.
\nThe 2025/26 season is the first full campaign under manager Leam Richardson (appointed in late 2024) and it has had mixed results. Reading currently sit eleventh in the third tier of English football, just behind local rivals Wycombe and seven points off the play-off places.
\n\u00a0Perhaps most significantly, the new year will be the first year the club operates entirely free of the EFL's \"business plan\" restrictions. Expect a significant\u2014but calculated\u2014investment in the January 2026 window to bolster a promotion charge, with a focus on Championship-proven talent rather than high-risk gambles.
\u00a0
The Reading Academy system continues to excel despite the challenges of recent years and academy graduate Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and midfielder Michael Craig are expected to either lead the club back to the Championship - unless they command multi-million pound transfer fees that will fund the club's next three years of operation. It will be a fascinating and crucial transfer window for the club\u2019s future.
\u00a0
After a heartbreaking drop to the fifth tier in 2024, 2026 is predicted to be the year the Reading FC Women begin their serious climb back up the pyramid, with increased integration into the main club\u2019s training facilities at Bearwood Park.
\u00a0
\nReading Sports Excelling
\nWhile Reading FC often dominates the headlines, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the town\u2019s broader sporting elite. East of town, and on opposite sides of Old Bath Road, our hockey and rugby sides are amongst the best in the country.
\nFor Reading Hockey Club, 2026 represents a year of reaching to be the best in England. Following a transformative 2025 season where the women\u2019s team reclaimed their status as national champions and the men secured a long-awaited return to the Premier Division, the club is now operating at the pinnacle of the English game.
\n
The early months of 2026 will see the men's first team battling to solidify their position in the top flight. After surviving the initial split of the league in late 2025, the focus for the spring will be on securing a top-six finish to ensure they are safe from the relegation playoffs. Meanwhile, the women\u2019s team enters 2026 with a target on their backs as defending champions. Their primary objective for the year is a return to European competition, with the Premier Division Finals in early May serving as the ultimate stage to prove their 2025 title was the start of a new dynasty rather than a one-off success.
\nIn the world of rugby, the spotlight falls squarely on Rams RFC. The club has spent several seasons knocking on the door of the Championship, the second tier of professional English rugby. The first half of 2026 will be the most critical period in the club's history. By April 11, when they face a high-stakes away trip to Rotherham Titans, the shape of the promotion race will be clear.
\nThe final home games of the season at Old Bath Road in late April, against Rosslyn Park and Sedgley Park, are expected to be sell-out events. If the Rams can secure the National League 1 title or succeed in the newly introduced promotion playoff in May, 2026 will be the year professional rugby officially returns to the Reading area. This ascent would not only raise the club's profile but also likely trigger infrastructure upgrades at their home ground to meet Championship standards.
\nBeyond the elite promotion chases, the town\u2019s other leading rugby clubs, Reading RFC and Reading Abbey, are focusing on long-term sustainability. In 2026, both clubs are rolling out expanded youth and women\u2019s programs, partially funded by the legacy of the 2025 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup. For Reading Abbey, specifically, the year is about maintaining their reputation as a community hub, with 2026 seeing the completion of several facility refreshments aimed at increasing mid-week community use at their Emmer Green home.
\nOn the court, the Reading Rockets are entering 2026 with a revamped identity and a roster bolstered by high-profile American signings like Malik Bryant and Jax Bouknight. Competing in the British Basketball Championship, the Rockets are spending the spring of 2026 chasing \"The Double\"\u2014looking to follow up a regular-season title charge with a deep run in the postseason playoffs. Their consistent success at the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre has also fueled ongoing 2026 discussions regarding a potential move to a more central, high-capacity venue as the \"Rocket Family\" fan base continues to outgrow its current home.
\nThe year ahead bodes well for these and many other sports in our town. Check out our directory below if you would like to support or take part in sports at whatever level in 2026.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Get a glimpse into Reading's transformation by 2026. Discover major development plans including office conversions to housing, the evolving retail landscape, and the financial outlook for Reading Borough Council.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:19.015274+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-02-01T18:32:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, UK", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-in-2026/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "322", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-buildings-battle-hospital/", "title": "Reading Buildings - Battle Hospital", "content_html": "\u00a0
\nWhile the Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road often claims the spotlight, for generations of West Reading residents, the true heart of local healthcare was Battle Hospital. Situated on the Oxford Road, Battle was a site of grit, transition, and survival\u2014evolving from a Victorian place of last resort into a frontline military hub and, eventually, a bustling general hospital before its final closure in 2005.
\nFrom Workhouse to Ward
\nThe origins of Battle Hospital were far humbler than the grand Bath stone of the \"Royal.\" Opened in 1867 as the Reading Union Workhouse, it was initially a grim Victorian institution designed for the \"destitute and infirm.\" At the time, healthcare was an adjunct to poverty relief; the site included a chapel, a bakery, and a laundry, operating as a self-contained village for those with nowhere else to go.
\nDespite the name and the hospital\u2019s significant military history during the World Wars, the title \"Battle Hospital\" was not a tribute to any specific military engagement. Instead, the origin is much more geographical and local.
\nThe Geography of \"Battle\"
\nThe hospital was named after the Battle Ward, the local municipal district in West Reading where it was located. This ward, in turn, takes its name from Battle Farm, which once occupied much of the land in that area of the town.
\nThe \"Battle\" nomenclature stretches back even further to the medieval era. The land was originally owned by Battle Abbey in Sussex. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror granted significant holdings in the Reading area to the monks of Battle Abbey as a means of providing them with an income. This historic link to the Sussex abbey (itself named after the Battle of Hastings) became permanently etched into the local map of Reading.
\nWhile the site had been a workhouse and an infirmary for decades, the name was officially changed to Battle Hospital in 1930. This change was a deliberate attempt by the Reading Borough Council to remove the stigma attached to its previous incarnation.
\nIt is a striking historical irony that a hospital named after a Sussex abbey and a local farm ended up playing such a vital frontline role in the medical \"battles\" of two World Wars.
\n\u00a0
\nThe \"No. 1\" War Hospital
\nThe site\u2019s identity was forever altered by the outbreak of the First World War. In 1914, it was requisitioned by the War Office and designated as the Reading No. 1 War Hospital. This was an important moment in Reading's war history; the town became one of the most significant hubs for the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in the country.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/baae1a6770aa.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nThe scale was immense. Battle served as the \"hub\" for a network of 5 section hospitals and 38 auxiliary sites. Between 1914 and 1920, thousands of soldiers arrived by train at the nearby West Reading station, their stretchers carried through the gates to be treated for war wounds, trench foot, gas inhalation, and shrapnel wounds. It was during this era that the hospital shed its \"workhouse\" stigma and became one of the war\u2019s largest medical establishments.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/048d89c8816f.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nThe interwar years at the Oxford Road site\u2014the period between the demobilization of the \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital\" in 1920 and the birth of the NHS in 1948\u2014represented a complex era of transition. It was during this time that the facility evolved from a military casualty hub into a permanent, civilian municipal hospital, finally shedding the grim reputation of the Victorian workhouse.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Post-War Handover
\nWhen the military vacated the site in early 1920, the complex was handed back to the Reading Board of Guardians. However, the town had changed. The war had proven that the site was capable of far more than just housing the \"destitute.\" In a significant move in 1921, the institution was renamed the Reading Battle Infirmary.
\nWhile it technically remained under the administration of the Poor Law, the 1920s saw a shift toward professionalization. The infirmary began to operate more like a general hospital, accepting acute cases that the Royal Berkshire Hospital could not accommodate.
\nThe 1929 Local Government Act
\nThe most significant turning point occurred in 1930. Following the Local Government Act of 1929, the Board of Guardians was abolished, and control of the infirmary passed to the Reading Borough Council. This was a landmark moment: for the first time, the hospital was a true municipal asset, funded by the local authority rather than charity or the \"workhouse\" levy.
\nIt was at this point, in 1930, that the site was officially renamed Battle Hospital. Under the council's leadership, the 1930s became a decade of modernization:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Maternity Shift: Until this period, many births in Reading occurred at home or in small private nursing homes. Battle began to develop a dedicated maternity wing, establishing its reputation as the town's primary \"birthplace\"\u2014a legacy that would last until 2005.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Specialist Services: The hospital began to specialize in infectious diseases and elderly care, areas that the Royal Berkshire Hospital (which focused on surgery and acute trauma) tended to avoid.
\n
The Second World War: The \"EMC\" Era
As the 1930s drew to a close, Battle Hospital was once again prepared for conflict. In 1939, it became part of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This was a government-coordinated scheme to organize hospitals into a national network to deal with expected air-raid casualties.
\nDuring the Second World War, Battle served a dual purpose. It remained a civilian hospital for the people of West Reading, but it also became a major center for the treatment of wounded soldiers and, crucially, victims of the Blitz. The hospital\u2019s proximity to the Great Western Railway made it a primary destination for \"ambulance trains\" arriving from London and, later, from the coast following the D-Day landings in 1944.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Road to 1948
\nBy the time the war ended in 1945, Battle Hospital was no longer an \"infirmary\" for the poor; it was a battle-hardened, multi-disciplinary medical center. It had developed robust pathology labs, an X-ray department, and a dedicated nursing school.
\nWhen Aneurin Bevan launched the National Health Service on July 5, 1948, Battle was seamlessly integrated. It ceased being a local council responsibility and became part of the new national healthcare system. The \"Battle spirit\"\u2014forged in the workhouse, tested in two world wars, and refined by municipal pride\u2014became a cornerstone of the Reading healthcare experience for the next half-century.
\n\u00a0
\nThe NHS Era and the \"Battle\" Spirit
\nFor the next five decades, it was known for its \"no-nonsense\" character. While the Royal Berks handled high-profile cases and complex surgeries, Battle was the workhorse of the town, housing the maternity units where thousands of \"Dings\" were born, as well as specialized elderly care and rehabilitation wards.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/5fe34cc1629f.avif\")
Key personalities like Lionel Williams, the former Chief Medical Photographer, have spent decades documenting this era, preserving the memory of the \"Florence Nightingales\" of West Reading who managed the transition from primitive wartime medicine to the high-tech digital age.
The Final Transition: 2005 and Beyond
\nBy the 1990s, maintaining two separate large-scale hospitals in Reading became strategically difficult. In 1993, the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust was formed to manage their consolidation.
\nThe final chapter for the Oxford Road site began in 2005, when all remaining clinical services were transferred to the expanded London Road site. The closure marked the end of 138 years of medical history on the site. However, the legacy of Battle Hospital lives on in two ways:
\nThe \"Battle Block\": A major wing at the current Royal Berkshire Hospital was named in its honor, ensuring the name remains part of the local medical vocabulary.
\nThe \"West Village\": The original site was redeveloped into a vibrant residential community. Most of the old hospital buildings were demolished to make way for hundreds of homes and a large Tesco supermarket, though the original gatehouse remains a silent sentinel to the thousands of lives that passed through its doors.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
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\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\u00a0\nWhile the Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road often claims the spotlight, for generations of West Reading residents, the true heart of local healthcare was Battle Hospital. Situated on the Oxford Road, Battle was a site of grit, transition, and survival\u2014evolving from a Victorian place of last resort into a frontline military hub and, eventually, a bustling general hospital before its final closure in 2005.\nFrom Workhouse to Ward\nThe origins of Battle Hospital were far humbler than the grand Bath stone of the \"Royal.\" Opened in 1867 as the Reading Union Workhouse, it was initially a grim Victorian institution designed for the \"destitute and infirm.\" At the time, healthcare was an adjunct to poverty relief; the site included a chapel, a bakery, and a laundry, operating as a self-contained village for those with nowhere else to go.\nDespite the name and the hospital\u2019s significant military history during the World Wars, the title \"Battle Hospital\" was not a tribute to any specific military engagement. Instead, the origin is much more geographical and local.\nThe Geography of \"Battle\"\nThe hospital was named after the Battle Ward, the local municipal district in West Reading where it was located. This ward, in turn, takes its name from Battle Farm, which once occupied much of the land in that area of the town.\nThe \"Battle\" nomenclature stretches back even further to the medieval era. The land was originally owned by Battle Abbey in Sussex. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror granted significant holdings in the Reading area to the monks of Battle Abbey as a means of providing them with an income. This historic link to the Sussex abbey (itself named after the Battle of Hastings) became permanently etched into the local map of Reading.\nWhile the site had been a workhouse and an infirmary for decades, the name was officially changed to Battle Hospital in 1930. This change was a deliberate attempt by the Reading Borough Council to remove the stigma attached to its previous incarnation.\nIt is a striking historical irony that a hospital named after a Sussex abbey and a local farm ended up playing such a vital frontline role in the medical \"battles\" of two World Wars.\n\u00a0\nThe \"No. 1\" War Hospital\nThe site\u2019s identity was forever altered by the outbreak of the First World War. In 1914, it was requisitioned by the War Office and designated as the Reading No. 1 War Hospital. This was an important moment in Reading's war history; the town became one of the most significant hubs for the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in the country.\n\n\u00a0\nThe scale was immense. Battle served as the \"hub\" for a network of 5 section hospitals and 38 auxiliary sites. Between 1914 and 1920, thousands of soldiers arrived by train at the nearby West Reading station, their stretchers carried through the gates to be treated for war wounds, trench foot, gas inhalation, and shrapnel wounds. It was during this era that the hospital shed its \"workhouse\" stigma and became one of the war\u2019s largest medical establishments.\n\n\u00a0\nThe interwar years at the Oxford Road site\u2014the period between the demobilization of the \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital\" in 1920 and the birth of the NHS in 1948\u2014represented a complex era of transition. It was during this time that the facility evolved from a military casualty hub into a permanent, civilian municipal hospital, finally shedding the grim reputation of the Victorian workhouse.\n\u00a0\nThe Post-War Handover\nWhen the military vacated the site in early 1920, the complex was handed back to the Reading Board of Guardians. However, the town had changed. The war had proven that the site was capable of far more than just housing the \"destitute.\" In a significant move in 1921, the institution was renamed the Reading Battle Infirmary.\nWhile it technically remained under the administration of the Poor Law, the 1920s saw a shift toward professionalization. The infirmary began to operate more like a general hospital, accepting acute cases that the Royal Berkshire Hospital could not accommodate.\nThe 1929 Local Government Act\nThe most significant turning point occurred in 1930. Following the Local Government Act of 1929, the Board of Guardians was abolished, and control of the infirmary passed to the Reading Borough Council. This was a landmark moment: for the first time, the hospital was a true municipal asset, funded by the local authority rather than charity or the \"workhouse\" levy.\nIt was at this point, in 1930, that the site was officially renamed Battle Hospital. Under the council's leadership, the 1930s became a decade of modernization:\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Maternity Shift: Until this period, many births in Reading occurred at home or in small private nursing homes. Battle began to develop a dedicated maternity wing, establishing its reputation as the town's primary \"birthplace\"\u2014a legacy that would last until 2005.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Specialist Services: The hospital began to specialize in infectious diseases and elderly care, areas that the Royal Berkshire Hospital (which focused on surgery and acute trauma) tended to avoid.\nThe Second World War: The \"EMC\" Era\nAs the 1930s drew to a close, Battle Hospital was once again prepared for conflict. In 1939, it became part of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This was a government-coordinated scheme to organize hospitals into a national network to deal with expected air-raid casualties.\nDuring the Second World War, Battle served a dual purpose. It remained a civilian hospital for the people of West Reading, but it also became a major center for the treatment of wounded soldiers and, crucially, victims of the Blitz. The hospital\u2019s proximity to the Great Western Railway made it a primary destination for \"ambulance trains\" arriving from London and, later, from the coast following the D-Day landings in 1944.\n\u00a0\nThe Road to 1948\nBy the time the war ended in 1945, Battle Hospital was no longer an \"infirmary\" for the poor; it was a battle-hardened, multi-disciplinary medical center. It had developed robust pathology labs, an X-ray department, and a dedicated nursing school.\nWhen Aneurin Bevan launched the National Health Service on July 5, 1948, Battle was seamlessly integrated. It ceased being a local council responsibility and became part of the new national healthcare system. The \"Battle spirit\"\u2014forged in the workhouse, tested in two world wars, and refined by municipal pride\u2014became a cornerstone of the Reading healthcare experience for the next half-century.\n\u00a0\nThe NHS Era and the \"Battle\" Spirit\nFor the next five decades, it was known for its \"no-nonsense\" character. While the Royal Berks handled high-profile cases and complex surgeries, Battle was the workhorse of the town, housing the maternity units where thousands of \"Dings\" were born, as well as specialized elderly care and rehabilitation wards.\n\nKey personalities like Lionel Williams, the former Chief Medical Photographer, have spent decades documenting this era, preserving the memory of the \"Florence Nightingales\" of West Reading who managed the transition from primitive wartime medicine to the high-tech digital age.\nThe Final Transition: 2005 and Beyond\nBy the 1990s, maintaining two separate large-scale hospitals in Reading became strategically difficult. In 1993, the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust was formed to manage their consolidation.\nThe final chapter for the Oxford Road site began in 2005, when all remaining clinical services were transferred to the expanded London Road site. The closure marked the end of 138 years of medical history on the site. However, the legacy of Battle Hospital lives on in two ways:\nThe \"Battle Block\": A major wing at the current Royal Berkshire Hospital was named in its honor, ensuring the name remains part of the local medical vocabulary.\nThe \"West Village\": The original site was redeveloped into a vibrant residential community. Most of the old hospital buildings were demolished to make way for hundreds of homes and a large Tesco supermarket, though the original gatehouse remains a silent sentinel to the thousands of lives that passed through its doors.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "Discover the rich history of Battle Hospital, a West Reading landmark that transformed from a Victorian workhouse into a vital general hospital and military hub before its closure in 2005.", "date_published": "2026-02-01T17:59:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:19.918103+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/076a1821.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/076a1821.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading Buildings - Battle Hospital", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1799, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\u00a0
\nWhile the Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road often claims the spotlight, for generations of West Reading residents, the true heart of local healthcare was Battle Hospital. Situated on the Oxford Road, Battle was a site of grit, transition, and survival\u2014evolving from a Victorian place of last resort into a frontline military hub and, eventually, a bustling general hospital before its final closure in 2005.
\nFrom Workhouse to Ward
\nThe origins of Battle Hospital were far humbler than the grand Bath stone of the \"Royal.\" Opened in 1867 as the Reading Union Workhouse, it was initially a grim Victorian institution designed for the \"destitute and infirm.\" At the time, healthcare was an adjunct to poverty relief; the site included a chapel, a bakery, and a laundry, operating as a self-contained village for those with nowhere else to go.
\nDespite the name and the hospital\u2019s significant military history during the World Wars, the title \"Battle Hospital\" was not a tribute to any specific military engagement. Instead, the origin is much more geographical and local.
\nThe Geography of \"Battle\"
\nThe hospital was named after the Battle Ward, the local municipal district in West Reading where it was located. This ward, in turn, takes its name from Battle Farm, which once occupied much of the land in that area of the town.
\nThe \"Battle\" nomenclature stretches back even further to the medieval era. The land was originally owned by Battle Abbey in Sussex. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror granted significant holdings in the Reading area to the monks of Battle Abbey as a means of providing them with an income. This historic link to the Sussex abbey (itself named after the Battle of Hastings) became permanently etched into the local map of Reading.
\nWhile the site had been a workhouse and an infirmary for decades, the name was officially changed to Battle Hospital in 1930. This change was a deliberate attempt by the Reading Borough Council to remove the stigma attached to its previous incarnation.
\nIt is a striking historical irony that a hospital named after a Sussex abbey and a local farm ended up playing such a vital frontline role in the medical \"battles\" of two World Wars.
\n\u00a0
\nThe \"No. 1\" War Hospital
\nThe site\u2019s identity was forever altered by the outbreak of the First World War. In 1914, it was requisitioned by the War Office and designated as the Reading No. 1 War Hospital. This was an important moment in Reading's war history; the town became one of the most significant hubs for the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in the country.
\n
\u00a0
\nThe scale was immense. Battle served as the \"hub\" for a network of 5 section hospitals and 38 auxiliary sites. Between 1914 and 1920, thousands of soldiers arrived by train at the nearby West Reading station, their stretchers carried through the gates to be treated for war wounds, trench foot, gas inhalation, and shrapnel wounds. It was during this era that the hospital shed its \"workhouse\" stigma and became one of the war\u2019s largest medical establishments.
\n
\u00a0
\nThe interwar years at the Oxford Road site\u2014the period between the demobilization of the \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital\" in 1920 and the birth of the NHS in 1948\u2014represented a complex era of transition. It was during this time that the facility evolved from a military casualty hub into a permanent, civilian municipal hospital, finally shedding the grim reputation of the Victorian workhouse.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Post-War Handover
\nWhen the military vacated the site in early 1920, the complex was handed back to the Reading Board of Guardians. However, the town had changed. The war had proven that the site was capable of far more than just housing the \"destitute.\" In a significant move in 1921, the institution was renamed the Reading Battle Infirmary.
\nWhile it technically remained under the administration of the Poor Law, the 1920s saw a shift toward professionalization. The infirmary began to operate more like a general hospital, accepting acute cases that the Royal Berkshire Hospital could not accommodate.
\nThe 1929 Local Government Act
\nThe most significant turning point occurred in 1930. Following the Local Government Act of 1929, the Board of Guardians was abolished, and control of the infirmary passed to the Reading Borough Council. This was a landmark moment: for the first time, the hospital was a true municipal asset, funded by the local authority rather than charity or the \"workhouse\" levy.
\nIt was at this point, in 1930, that the site was officially renamed Battle Hospital. Under the council's leadership, the 1930s became a decade of modernization:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Maternity Shift: Until this period, many births in Reading occurred at home or in small private nursing homes. Battle began to develop a dedicated maternity wing, establishing its reputation as the town's primary \"birthplace\"\u2014a legacy that would last until 2005.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Specialist Services: The hospital began to specialize in infectious diseases and elderly care, areas that the Royal Berkshire Hospital (which focused on surgery and acute trauma) tended to avoid.
\n
The Second World War: The \"EMC\" Era
As the 1930s drew to a close, Battle Hospital was once again prepared for conflict. In 1939, it became part of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). This was a government-coordinated scheme to organize hospitals into a national network to deal with expected air-raid casualties.
\nDuring the Second World War, Battle served a dual purpose. It remained a civilian hospital for the people of West Reading, but it also became a major center for the treatment of wounded soldiers and, crucially, victims of the Blitz. The hospital\u2019s proximity to the Great Western Railway made it a primary destination for \"ambulance trains\" arriving from London and, later, from the coast following the D-Day landings in 1944.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Road to 1948
\nBy the time the war ended in 1945, Battle Hospital was no longer an \"infirmary\" for the poor; it was a battle-hardened, multi-disciplinary medical center. It had developed robust pathology labs, an X-ray department, and a dedicated nursing school.
\nWhen Aneurin Bevan launched the National Health Service on July 5, 1948, Battle was seamlessly integrated. It ceased being a local council responsibility and became part of the new national healthcare system. The \"Battle spirit\"\u2014forged in the workhouse, tested in two world wars, and refined by municipal pride\u2014became a cornerstone of the Reading healthcare experience for the next half-century.
\n\u00a0
\nThe NHS Era and the \"Battle\" Spirit
\nFor the next five decades, it was known for its \"no-nonsense\" character. While the Royal Berks handled high-profile cases and complex surgeries, Battle was the workhorse of the town, housing the maternity units where thousands of \"Dings\" were born, as well as specialized elderly care and rehabilitation wards.
\n
Key personalities like Lionel Williams, the former Chief Medical Photographer, have spent decades documenting this era, preserving the memory of the \"Florence Nightingales\" of West Reading who managed the transition from primitive wartime medicine to the high-tech digital age.
The Final Transition: 2005 and Beyond
\nBy the 1990s, maintaining two separate large-scale hospitals in Reading became strategically difficult. In 1993, the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust was formed to manage their consolidation.
\nThe final chapter for the Oxford Road site began in 2005, when all remaining clinical services were transferred to the expanded London Road site. The closure marked the end of 138 years of medical history on the site. However, the legacy of Battle Hospital lives on in two ways:
\nThe \"Battle Block\": A major wing at the current Royal Berkshire Hospital was named in its honor, ensuring the name remains part of the local medical vocabulary.
\nThe \"West Village\": The original site was redeveloped into a vibrant residential community. Most of the old hospital buildings were demolished to make way for hundreds of homes and a large Tesco supermarket, though the original gatehouse remains a silent sentinel to the thousands of lives that passed through its doors.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Discover the rich history of Battle Hospital, a West Reading landmark that transformed from a Victorian workhouse into a vital general hospital and military hub before its closure in 2005.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:19.918103+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-02-01T17:59:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-buildings-battle-hospital/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "323", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/lets-play-darts/", "title": "Let's Play Darts !", "content_html": "\u00a0
\nDarts has become a firm favourite over the past couple of years, as the likes of Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Newbury\u2019s Luke Humphries capture the nation\u2019s imagination. After all, you can\u2019t beat a bit of Bully.\u00a0
\nThe PDC Premier League is about to launch: the first night takes place on Thursday, February 5 in Newcastle. It then continues weekly until May, with venues including Antwerp, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Dublin. The final will be in London, with all nights shown live on Sky Sports.\u00a0
\nAmong those taking part are Luke Littler - the defending champion, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.
\nIf watching the darts means you fancy becoming a thrower, first become a knower, thanks to our guide to darts in Reading.\u00a0
\nDarts, like any sport, needs practice. After all, you can't just rock up to an oche and expect to throw 180s or that perfect nine-dart finish. To do that, you need some space to play and some kit to play with.\u00a0
\nThe easiest way is to pop into the likes of Decathlon and Argos and stock up on some gear\u2026 or look out for cheap boards on special offer in Lidl and Aldi. These aren\u2019t always the greatest boards, and may not last repeated attempts at hitting the bullseye: the cheap price doesn\u2019t always mean good value.
\nThere are specialist darts shops and there is one in Wokingham.\u00a0Double Top Darts\u00a0can help kit out a beginner and offers a mail order service with click and collect \u2013 sadly, it doesn't have a showroom open to the public, but they do offer advice and a friendly service.\u00a0
\nWhat would you need? A dartboard is the main thing, and it needs to be at the correct height: the bull should be 5ft 8in (1.73m) off the floor, and the thrower should be 7ft 9.25in (2.37m) from the board.\u00a0
\nIt can be mounted on a wall or the back of a door, or you can buy specialist stands if you need to pack it away at the end of a session. A surround will help capture those stray darts. If you really want to take it seriously, extras such as lights and camera-based scoring systems are available.\u00a0
\nAs for the darts? It will take some trial and error to find the type and weight that works best for you. Be aware that there are two main kinds: soft and steel tips. The ones you need will depend on the board you get\u2026 to emulate Luke The Nuke and other darting stars, you\u2019ll need steel tip darts.\u00a0
\nPrices will vary accordingly, and for beginners looking to find their way it may pay dividends to get a selection of cheaper or clearance darts and flights to experiment with. In essence, you can spend a little or spend a lot.\u00a0
\nThere are plenty of training videos on the likes of YouTube that can help with stance, throwing, exercises to try and games to play.\u00a0
\nAnd then, it\u2019s a case of throw, throw, throw and build up your confidence.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/7956c84a98c4.jpg\")
Many pubs have dartboards, and will let you play on them. Some will be well used and look like they\u2019ve seen better days. Others - well, you can tell they are loved by their landlords.\u00a0
\nMany will let you play with your own arrows, while some will have a set behind the bar. The quality will vary, after all, they are used by any Tom, Dick or Harry.\u00a0
\nSome nights there will be matches on, as many pubs take part in the\u00a0Reading Darts League. Many will welcome new players, which is why that practice will make perfect. After all, if you need to finish on a double you need to be able to hit them.\u00a0
\nAnother place to play will be in sports and social clubs.\u00a0Burghfield Community Sports Association\u00a0is one of the best and regularly hosts special evenings where some of the legends of the game will drop in for an exhibition match. Events are posted on its Facebook page:\u00a0https://www.facebook.com/p/Burghfield-Darts-Events-100070688776558/
\nAlso worth checking out is\u00a0The Crucible\u00a0\u2013 not in Sheffield, but in Richfield Avenue. It has several rooms with boards in, some of which have augmented reality features to allow for social darts, and help people with their games. The venue is serious about darts: it hosts the World Seniors Darts Tour qualifying events. Those who have the talent can go on to compete with the likes of Phil \u2018The Power\u2019 Taylor and Martin \u2018Woolfie\u2019 Adams.\u00a0
\nSocial darts is becoming a big thing, and Reading now boasts several places where you can book an oche for a fun night out.\u00a0
\nIn addition to the board, a few pints and a fun atmosphere, there will be camera systems and screens above the board to allow people to play a range of fun games. No previous experience is necessary, just the ability to throw the darts in the right direction.\u00a0
\nSpinners\u00a0in Broad St. Mall has a range of social games to play including virtual clay pigeon shooting, ten pin bowling and Electric Darts. It costs from \u00a325 per oche for 55 minutes and uses an interactive darts system that tracks scores and offers multiple games. They promise it is easy to learn and hard to put down.\u00a0
\nThe former music shop on Caversham Bridge Road is now\u00a0Bowl Central Reading.\u00a0In addition to its arcade machines, ten pin bowling and a bar, it has its own social darts scene, offering the chance to select games to play and cameras again keep track of scores. It promises \u2018real darts, real dartboard, real fun\u2019.\u00a0
\nIn addition to throwing axes, you can throw arrows at\u00a0Boom Battle Bar\u00a0in Station Road, where the old Revolution bar used to be. Its Augmented Reality Darts aims to take some of the pressure off by offering state-of-the-art technology. Its oches can take up to eight people and there are five available. Each hour-long hire costs between \u00a340 and \u00a345, and the bar welcomes under 11s before 9pm, when it becomes over 18s only.\u00a0
\nLike other social darts venues, it offers different games for people to play.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/fe4f00819b27.jpg\")
And coming soon is\u00a0Flight Club, as part of the new Station Hill development\u00a0 between Friar Street and the railway station. The company says its bars fuse a Victorian fairground feel with a local pub, while its menu includes food, cocktails and pints. And then there are the games: Flight Club calls it Social Darts, and promises automatic scoring, instant video replays and highlights sent to your inbox the next day.\u00a0
\nThe opening date has yet to be announced, but if you can't wait the company has bars in Oxford, and Victoria and Bloomsbury in London.\u00a0
", "content_text": "\u00a0\nDarts has become a firm favourite over the past couple of years, as the likes of Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Newbury\u2019s Luke Humphries capture the nation\u2019s imagination. After all, you can\u2019t beat a bit of Bully.\u00a0\nThe PDC Premier League is about to launch: the first night takes place on Thursday, February 5 in Newcastle. It then continues weekly until May, with venues including Antwerp, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Dublin. The final will be in London, with all nights shown live on Sky Sports.\u00a0\nAmong those taking part are Luke Littler - the defending champion, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.\nIf watching the darts means you fancy becoming a thrower, first become a knower, thanks to our guide to darts in Reading.\u00a0\nIf You Want To Play At Home\nDarts, like any sport, needs practice. After all, you can't just rock up to an oche and expect to throw 180s or that perfect nine-dart finish. To do that, you need some space to play and some kit to play with.\u00a0\nThe easiest way is to pop into the likes of Decathlon and Argos and stock up on some gear\u2026 or look out for cheap boards on special offer in Lidl and Aldi. These aren\u2019t always the greatest boards, and may not last repeated attempts at hitting the bullseye: the cheap price doesn\u2019t always mean good value.\nThere are specialist darts shops and there is one in Wokingham.\u00a0Double Top Darts\u00a0can help kit out a beginner and offers a mail order service with click and collect \u2013 sadly, it doesn't have a showroom open to the public, but they do offer advice and a friendly service.\u00a0\nWhat would you need? A dartboard is the main thing, and it needs to be at the correct height: the bull should be 5ft 8in (1.73m) off the floor, and the thrower should be 7ft 9.25in (2.37m) from the board.\u00a0\nIt can be mounted on a wall or the back of a door, or you can buy specialist stands if you need to pack it away at the end of a session. A surround will help capture those stray darts. If you really want to take it seriously, extras such as lights and camera-based scoring systems are available.\u00a0\nAs for the darts? It will take some trial and error to find the type and weight that works best for you. Be aware that there are two main kinds: soft and steel tips. The ones you need will depend on the board you get\u2026 to emulate Luke The Nuke and other darting stars, you\u2019ll need steel tip darts.\u00a0\nPrices will vary accordingly, and for beginners looking to find their way it may pay dividends to get a selection of cheaper or clearance darts and flights to experiment with. In essence, you can spend a little or spend a lot.\u00a0\nThere are plenty of training videos on the likes of YouTube that can help with stance, throwing, exercises to try and games to play.\u00a0\nAnd then, it\u2019s a case of throw, throw, throw and build up your confidence.\n\nTaking Darts Out Of The Home\nMany pubs have dartboards, and will let you play on them. Some will be well used and look like they\u2019ve seen better days. Others - well, you can tell they are loved by their landlords.\u00a0\nMany will let you play with your own arrows, while some will have a set behind the bar. The quality will vary, after all, they are used by any Tom, Dick or Harry.\u00a0\nSome nights there will be matches on, as many pubs take part in the\u00a0Reading Darts League. Many will welcome new players, which is why that practice will make perfect. After all, if you need to finish on a double you need to be able to hit them.\u00a0\nAnother place to play will be in sports and social clubs.\u00a0Burghfield Community Sports Association\u00a0is one of the best and regularly hosts special evenings where some of the legends of the game will drop in for an exhibition match. Events are posted on its Facebook page:\u00a0https://www.facebook.com/p/Burghfield-Darts-Events-100070688776558/\nAlso worth checking out is\u00a0The Crucible\u00a0\u2013 not in Sheffield, but in Richfield Avenue. It has several rooms with boards in, some of which have augmented reality features to allow for social darts, and help people with their games. The venue is serious about darts: it hosts the World Seniors Darts Tour qualifying events. Those who have the talent can go on to compete with the likes of Phil \u2018The Power\u2019 Taylor and Martin \u2018Woolfie\u2019 Adams.\u00a0\nDarts With Friends\nSocial darts is becoming a big thing, and Reading now boasts several places where you can book an oche for a fun night out.\u00a0\nIn addition to the board, a few pints and a fun atmosphere, there will be camera systems and screens above the board to allow people to play a range of fun games. No previous experience is necessary, just the ability to throw the darts in the right direction.\u00a0\nSpinners\u00a0in Broad St. Mall has a range of social games to play including virtual clay pigeon shooting, ten pin bowling and Electric Darts. It costs from \u00a325 per oche for 55 minutes and uses an interactive darts system that tracks scores and offers multiple games. They promise it is easy to learn and hard to put down.\u00a0\nThe former music shop on Caversham Bridge Road is now\u00a0Bowl Central Reading.\u00a0In addition to its arcade machines, ten pin bowling and a bar, it has its own social darts scene, offering the chance to select games to play and cameras again keep track of scores. It promises \u2018real darts, real dartboard, real fun\u2019.\u00a0\nIn addition to throwing axes, you can throw arrows at\u00a0Boom Battle Bar\u00a0in Station Road, where the old Revolution bar used to be. Its Augmented Reality Darts aims to take some of the pressure off by offering state-of-the-art technology. Its oches can take up to eight people and there are five available. Each hour-long hire costs between \u00a340 and \u00a345, and the bar welcomes under 11s before 9pm, when it becomes over 18s only.\u00a0\nLike other social darts venues, it offers different games for people to play.\u00a0\n\nAnd coming soon is\u00a0Flight Club, as part of the new Station Hill development\u00a0 between Friar Street and the railway station. The company says its bars fuse a Victorian fairground feel with a local pub, while its menu includes food, cocktails and pints. And then there are the games: Flight Club calls it Social Darts, and promises automatic scoring, instant video replays and highlights sent to your inbox the next day.\u00a0\nThe opening date has yet to be announced, but if you can't wait the company has bars in Oxford, and Victoria and Bloomsbury in London.\u00a0", "summary": "Inspired by the PDC Premier League and stars like Luke Littler? Discover how to set up your own home dartboard and find local pubs and clubs in Reading to hone your skills and join the fun.", "date_published": "2026-02-01T17:22:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:20.773808+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/9c61cdb3.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/9c61cdb3.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Let's Play Darts !", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1420, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\u00a0
\nDarts has become a firm favourite over the past couple of years, as the likes of Luke Littler, Stephen Bunting and Newbury\u2019s Luke Humphries capture the nation\u2019s imagination. After all, you can\u2019t beat a bit of Bully.\u00a0
\nThe PDC Premier League is about to launch: the first night takes place on Thursday, February 5 in Newcastle. It then continues weekly until May, with venues including Antwerp, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Dublin. The final will be in London, with all nights shown live on Sky Sports.\u00a0
\nAmong those taking part are Luke Littler - the defending champion, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Gerwyn Price.
\nIf watching the darts means you fancy becoming a thrower, first become a knower, thanks to our guide to darts in Reading.\u00a0
\nDarts, like any sport, needs practice. After all, you can't just rock up to an oche and expect to throw 180s or that perfect nine-dart finish. To do that, you need some space to play and some kit to play with.\u00a0
\nThe easiest way is to pop into the likes of Decathlon and Argos and stock up on some gear\u2026 or look out for cheap boards on special offer in Lidl and Aldi. These aren\u2019t always the greatest boards, and may not last repeated attempts at hitting the bullseye: the cheap price doesn\u2019t always mean good value.
\nThere are specialist darts shops and there is one in Wokingham.\u00a0Double Top Darts\u00a0can help kit out a beginner and offers a mail order service with click and collect \u2013 sadly, it doesn't have a showroom open to the public, but they do offer advice and a friendly service.\u00a0
\nWhat would you need? A dartboard is the main thing, and it needs to be at the correct height: the bull should be 5ft 8in (1.73m) off the floor, and the thrower should be 7ft 9.25in (2.37m) from the board.\u00a0
\nIt can be mounted on a wall or the back of a door, or you can buy specialist stands if you need to pack it away at the end of a session. A surround will help capture those stray darts. If you really want to take it seriously, extras such as lights and camera-based scoring systems are available.\u00a0
\nAs for the darts? It will take some trial and error to find the type and weight that works best for you. Be aware that there are two main kinds: soft and steel tips. The ones you need will depend on the board you get\u2026 to emulate Luke The Nuke and other darting stars, you\u2019ll need steel tip darts.\u00a0
\nPrices will vary accordingly, and for beginners looking to find their way it may pay dividends to get a selection of cheaper or clearance darts and flights to experiment with. In essence, you can spend a little or spend a lot.\u00a0
\nThere are plenty of training videos on the likes of YouTube that can help with stance, throwing, exercises to try and games to play.\u00a0
\nAnd then, it\u2019s a case of throw, throw, throw and build up your confidence.
\n
Many pubs have dartboards, and will let you play on them. Some will be well used and look like they\u2019ve seen better days. Others - well, you can tell they are loved by their landlords.\u00a0
\nMany will let you play with your own arrows, while some will have a set behind the bar. The quality will vary, after all, they are used by any Tom, Dick or Harry.\u00a0
\nSome nights there will be matches on, as many pubs take part in the\u00a0Reading Darts League. Many will welcome new players, which is why that practice will make perfect. After all, if you need to finish on a double you need to be able to hit them.\u00a0
\nAnother place to play will be in sports and social clubs.\u00a0Burghfield Community Sports Association\u00a0is one of the best and regularly hosts special evenings where some of the legends of the game will drop in for an exhibition match. Events are posted on its Facebook page:\u00a0https://www.facebook.com/p/Burghfield-Darts-Events-100070688776558/
\nAlso worth checking out is\u00a0The Crucible\u00a0\u2013 not in Sheffield, but in Richfield Avenue. It has several rooms with boards in, some of which have augmented reality features to allow for social darts, and help people with their games. The venue is serious about darts: it hosts the World Seniors Darts Tour qualifying events. Those who have the talent can go on to compete with the likes of Phil \u2018The Power\u2019 Taylor and Martin \u2018Woolfie\u2019 Adams.\u00a0
\nSocial darts is becoming a big thing, and Reading now boasts several places where you can book an oche for a fun night out.\u00a0
\nIn addition to the board, a few pints and a fun atmosphere, there will be camera systems and screens above the board to allow people to play a range of fun games. No previous experience is necessary, just the ability to throw the darts in the right direction.\u00a0
\nSpinners\u00a0in Broad St. Mall has a range of social games to play including virtual clay pigeon shooting, ten pin bowling and Electric Darts. It costs from \u00a325 per oche for 55 minutes and uses an interactive darts system that tracks scores and offers multiple games. They promise it is easy to learn and hard to put down.\u00a0
\nThe former music shop on Caversham Bridge Road is now\u00a0Bowl Central Reading.\u00a0In addition to its arcade machines, ten pin bowling and a bar, it has its own social darts scene, offering the chance to select games to play and cameras again keep track of scores. It promises \u2018real darts, real dartboard, real fun\u2019.\u00a0
\nIn addition to throwing axes, you can throw arrows at\u00a0Boom Battle Bar\u00a0in Station Road, where the old Revolution bar used to be. Its Augmented Reality Darts aims to take some of the pressure off by offering state-of-the-art technology. Its oches can take up to eight people and there are five available. Each hour-long hire costs between \u00a340 and \u00a345, and the bar welcomes under 11s before 9pm, when it becomes over 18s only.\u00a0
\nLike other social darts venues, it offers different games for people to play.\u00a0
\n
And coming soon is\u00a0Flight Club, as part of the new Station Hill development\u00a0 between Friar Street and the railway station. The company says its bars fuse a Victorian fairground feel with a local pub, while its menu includes food, cocktails and pints. And then there are the games: Flight Club calls it Social Darts, and promises automatic scoring, instant video replays and highlights sent to your inbox the next day.\u00a0
\nThe opening date has yet to be announced, but if you can't wait the company has bars in Oxford, and Victoria and Bloomsbury in London.\u00a0
", "description": "Inspired by the PDC Premier League and stars like Luke Littler? Discover how to set up your own home dartboard and find local pubs and clubs in Reading to hone your skills and join the fun.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:20.773808+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-02-01T17:22:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/lets-play-darts/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "321", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/a-reading-health-check/", "title": "A Reading Health Check", "content_html": "\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/d5b40ddf2642.jpg\")
In late January 2026 the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed that The Royal Berkshire Hospital has been placed in the final 'wave' of the New Hospitals Programme. This means construction is now slated to begin between 2037 and 2039, with completion potentially pushed to 2040. So this month we're taking a deep dive into health in our town past, present and future.
The announcement, made to the House of Commons by Health Secretary Wes Streeting as part of a wider \"reset\" of the national New Hospital Programme (NHP), the government revealed that the previous target of building 40 new hospitals by 2030 was \"unfunded and undeliverable,\" leading to a significant rescheduling of projects across the country, placing the redevelopment of Berkshire's primary hospital in the slow lane.
\nThe Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust issued a formal response expressing \"extreme disappointment\" at the delay, noting that the current aging estate would require roughly \u00a3400 million in maintenance costs just to remain operational until the new site is ready.
\nHowever, despite this setback, it was also revealed in January that the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust is performing well, with latest government figures showing 81.7% of patients waiting less than 18 weeks to start treatment (an improvement from 80.4% a year ago with a further target of 85.4% by March 2026). This compares very favourably with averages in England of 61.8% (better than the 59.2% a year previously).
\n\u00a0
\nMedical History
Reading has a proud medical tradition and this month inReading is taking a look at how healthcare has evolved in our town. From early Roman settlements, to the monolithic medieval cloisters of Reading Abbey to the cutting-edge digital diagnostics of the 21st century, to some degree the story of healthcare in Reading is a mirror of Britain\u2019s own medical development.
A recent study from the University of Reading indicates that Roman urbanism significantly harmed the physical well-being of the population in ancient Britain. By examining the skeletal remains of women and children, scientist Rebecca Pitt discovered that the transition to city living introduced toxic lead exposure, overcrowding, and restricted resources. Interestingly, these negative health outcomes were exclusive to urban centers, while residents in rural communities maintained health standards similar to those of the earlier Iron Age. The study, published in the journal Antiquity, suggests that the social upheaval of Roman occupation created a distinct divide in quality of life between city dwellers and country inhabitants. What did the Romans do for us ? Well in nearby Roman town of Silchester, they brought bad health !
However, Roman legionnaires could expect better treatment. The Romans introduced the concept of the dedicated hospital building, known as a valetudinarium. Primarily built for soldiers, these facilities featured corridors, wards, and specialized drainage.
Roman surgical kits were remarkably modern in design. Archaeologists have recovered bronze scalpels, bone drills, forceps, and \"cataract needles.\" In Roman Silchester, evidence of such tools suggests that procedures like setting complex fractures or removing bladder stones were performed with a high degree of technical skill and you can see some of these tools in Reading Museum.
Monastic Healthcare
The seeds of Reading\u2019s recent medical history were sown in 1121, when Henry I founded Reading Abbey. While the monks primarily cared for their own, the Abbey\u2019s infirmary represented the first organized medical presence in the town and still stands overlooking the graveyard of St Lawrence (ironically, today it is a nursery).
Monastic healthcare was rooted in the Benedictine rule that \"the care of the sick must be placed before and above all things,\" a mandate that transformed the Abbey into a beacon of healing for Berkshire.
\nAt the heart of this operation was the infirmitorium or infirmary, a separate building within the abbey complex designed to provide peace, specialized diet, and medical attention. The Monk Infirmarer was the medieval equivalent of a Head Of Medicine, responsible for managing the Abbey\u2019s apothecary and overseeing the \"physic garden.\" Within these gardens, located near the Holy Brook, monks cultivated a living pharmacopeia. They grew sage for fevers, hyssop for chest complaints, and \"all-heal\" (valerian) for nervous disorders. Medicine was a blend of \"Galenic\" theory\u2014the balancing of the four bodily humors\u2014and practical herbalism.
\nTreatments at Reading Abbey were often surprisingly advanced yet fundamentally different from modern practice. The monks utilized \"uroscopy\" (the examination of urine for color and sediment) to diagnose ailments, and bloodletting was a routine preventative measure, believed to purge the body of excess \"heat.\" For the pilgrims who flocked to the Abbey to see the relic of the Hand of St. James, healing was often sought through a combination of prayer and the physical administration of tinctures. The Abbey also operated the Hospital of St. John, founded in 1189 specifically to serve the \"poor and pilgrims,\" marking the first time the town\u2019s laypeople had access to organized clinical care.
\nAs the centuries progressed, the medicine at the Abbey evolved from purely spiritual \"miracle seeking\" to a more observational science. The monks began to record the efficacy of certain herbs, and by the 14th century, the influence of Islamic medical texts, translated into Latin, began to filter into monastic libraries. This brought a greater understanding of surgery and anatomy, moving away from the idea that illness was merely a divine punishment and toward the concept of environmental and physical causes.
\nThe catastrophic end to this medical tradition came with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. When Henry VIII\u2019s commissioners arrived, the Abbey\u2019s infrastructure was dismantled, and its vast knowledge base was scattered. The impact on Reading was devastating; the Hospital of St. John was closed, and the organized care for the poor vanished almost overnight. The town entered a \"medical dark age\" that lasted for nearly three centuries.
\nWithout the monks to tend the physic gardens or provide beds for the infirm, the burden of care fell to unskilled \"wise women\" or expensive private physicians. It was not until the 19th-century foundation of the Royal Berkshire Hospital that Reading regained a healthcare institution of the same scale and civic importance as the one lost during the Reformation.
\nModern Era Of Healthcare
\nThe modern era of healthcare truly began in the 1830s. At that time, Reading was a town in the throes of the Industrial Revolution, its population swelling and its medical needs outstripping the charity of local dispensaries.
\nIn 1836, Richard Benyon of the Englefield Estate offered \u00a31,000 toward a dedicated hospital\u2014a sum so significant he famously insisted on having the hospital\u2019s architectural plans painted into the background of his official portrait. This philanthropic spark was fanned by Henry Addington, the 1st Viscount Sidmouth and a former Prime Minister, who donated four acres of land on London Road. The Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) opened its doors on May 27, 1839, a stunning piece of Bath stone architecture designed by Henry Briant which maintains much of its grandeur to this day.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/e5f24c0044d9.jpg\")
The first year of operation offers a stark glimpse into 19th-century medicine. With a total annual budget of just \u00a3433, the hospital spent more on beer (\u00a391) than it did on many medical supplies, reflecting the contemporary belief in the restorative powers of ale! The ledger also records an expenditure of \u00a327 on leeches, a reminder of the era\u2019s reliance on bloodletting.
\nThe hospital\u2019s very first patient, admitted on May 28, 1839, was a fifteen-year-old boy named George Earley. A laborer on the burgeoning Great Western Railway, Earley had suffered a catastrophic compound fracture to his upper arm while working on the Sonning Cutting. His arrival forced the hospital to open several days earlier than planned. In a harrowing pre-anaesthetic procedure, his arm was amputated at the shoulder. He survived, remaining in the hospital for two months\u2014a testament to the skill of early surgeons working without the luxuries of modern sedation, which would not arrive in Reading for another seven years.
\nAs the 19th century gave way to the 20th, the RBH became a center for some of the most famous medical interventions in British history. Perhaps the most legendary figure was Leonard Joyce, a surgeon of such repute that his hands were said to be insured for a fortune. In 1931, Joyce faced his most high-profile challenge when a young, reckless RAF pilot named Douglas Bader crashed his Hawker Fury at Woodley Aerodrome.
\nBader was rushed to the RBH with life-threatening injuries. Joyce performed a double amputation, saving the pilot\u2019s life. Bader\u2019s subsequent recovery and his role as a flying ace in the Battle of Britain became national legend, but it began in a ward in Reading. The bond between the two was so strong that Bader remained a frequent visitor to Joyce\u2019s home in Reading long after the war.
\nWartime Strain and the Battle Hospital
\nThe World Wars transformed Reading into a \"hospital town.\" During the First World War, the town became one of the largest war hospital complexes in the country. Battle Hospital, originally a workhouse infirmary, was designated \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital.\" Local schools were requisitioned to house the wounded, and at one point, over 3,500 children had to be relocated to make room for wards.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/2683a5caf75f.jpg\")
By the mid-20th century, healthcare was no longer a matter of private charity but a public right. When the NHS was formed in 1948, the Royal Berkshire had 413 beds and was seeing nearly 30,000 outpatients annually. This era saw the leadership of Matron Winifred Aldwinckle, a formidable figure who had been one of the first nurses to land in Normandy after D-Day. Under her stewardship from 1948 to 1966, the hospital transitioned into the modern era, grappling with the polio epidemics of the 1950s\u2014an era still represented in the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre by a haunting 1939 \"Iron Lung.\"
\nModern Expansion and the Digital Frontier
\nToday, the scale of healthcare in Reading has reached proportions the founders could never have imagined. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust now employs nearly 7,000 staff and serves a community of over one million people. The \"wooden doors\" that George Earley walked through are now part of a sprawling complex that integrates high-tech cardiology, a world-class maternity unit, and a dedicated urology center named after Frederick Potts, Reading\u2019s only Victoria Cross recipient.
\nRecent statistics underscore the efficiency of the modern trust; the Accident and Emergency department consistently ranks among the most efficient in the country, with over 99% of patients frequently meeting the four-hour treatment target. Furthermore, the partnership with the University of Reading has turned the town into a hub for medical research, focusing on cardiovascular health and the training of Physician Associates to meet the rising demand of an ever expanding and aging population.
\nWhilst now driven by 21st-century technology like fibre-optic endoscopes and AI-assisted diagnostics, the physical and material condition of the hospital, along with severe restrictions for parking.
\nIt seems that the current site will need to be maintained and evolved for the foreseeable future, although the three main options will remain in open consultation for the time being:
\nOption 1: Development of a new emergency care block, elective centre, and a women\u2019s and children\u2019s facility on the current site.
\nOption 2: A substantial, phased rebuild of the existing site, retaining the iconic 1839 Bath stone facade but replacing almost all other structures.
\nOption 3: A complete relocation to a new site, potentially at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield or near Green Park.
\nRelocation is favored by Wokingham and West Berkshire councils, who argue it would resolve chronic parking issues and improve accessibility for the wider region. However, Reading Borough Council has remained a staunch advocate for keeping the hospital \"at the heart of the community,\" citing concerns that a move to the edge of town would disadvantage residents reliant on public transport.
\nBridging the Gap
\nDespite the major delay, the Trust is not standing still. Construction is currently underway on a new elective surgical unit in the South Block, scheduled for completion in summer 2025. This \"surgical hub\" is designed to cut waiting lists and provide modern facilities in the interim.
\nFurthermore, the Trust has recently opened a new on-site Urgent Care Centre and expanded its diagnostic facilities in Bracknell and West Berkshire. These satellite \"enabling works\" are part of a strategy to move care closer to patients while the central hospital site remains in a state of limbo.
\nPrivate Healthcare
\nReading serves as a significant regional hub for private healthcare, offering several major hospitals and specialized clinics that cater to self-funding patients, those with private medical insurance, and NHS \"Choose and Book\" referrals.
\nThe following facilities represent the primary private medical landscape in the town:
\nMajor Private Hospitals
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Circle Reading Hospital (Circle Health Group): Located at Kennet Island (Drake Way), this is one of the most modern facilities in the region. It features 30 inpatient beds, 20-day case \"pods,\" and five operating theatres. It is particularly noted for its award-winning design and specialized units for orthopaedics, spinal surgery, and rehabilitation.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spire Dunedin Hospital: Situated on Bath Road, Dunedin has been a fixture of Reading\u2019s medical community for over a century. It offers a comprehensive range of specialties, including a \"one-stop\" breast clinic, cardiology, oncology, and a private GP service. It operates across several Victorian buildings converted into high-tech clinical spaces.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Berkshire Independent Hospital (Ramsay Health Care): Located in Coley Park (Wensley Road), this hospital opened in 1993 and houses 43 patient rooms. It is a major provider of orthopaedic procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, and features a dedicated level-two high dependency unit.
\nSpecialized Clinics and GP Services
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mayfield Clinic: A dedicated private general practice in central Reading that offers same-day GP appointments, prescriptions, and specialist referrals. They cater to patients who require longer consultation times or faster access than is currently available via local NHS primary care.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Forbury Clinic: Operating out of two locations (Kendrick Road and Craven Road), this clinic focuses on consultant-led specialist care, including urology, radiology, and advanced diagnostics.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berkshire Imaging: Often working in partnership with the local NHS Trust, this private radiology group provides high-level MRI, CT, and ultrasound scanning services, often based within the Royal Berkshire Hospital site or dedicated private suites.
\n\u00a0
\nAlong with the challenges of maintaining current services in the face of an ageing and increasingly ill population, the creeping privatisation of the NHS is another challenge for the future, with the extreme right Reform UK party advocating part privatisation of the NHS towards a more American style model.
\n\u00a0
\nFind Out More
\nThe Royal Berkshire Medical Museum, founded in 1997 and situated in the left wing of the main hospital building on London Road shows the remarkable progress made over the centuries in medicine, surgery, nursing, midwifery, dentistry and other aspects of healthcare where you can see and find out more about the history of healthcare in Reading.
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\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/fcece7f126bf.jpg\")
The museum is open on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 2.00 to 4.30pm. Volunteers will show you round and answer any questions you may have.
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/about-us/community-engagement/medical-museum
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", "content_text": "\u00a0\n\nIn late January 2026 the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed that The Royal Berkshire Hospital has been placed in the final 'wave' of the New Hospitals Programme. This means construction is now slated to begin between 2037 and 2039, with completion potentially pushed to 2040. So this month we're taking a deep dive into health in our town past, present and future.\nThe announcement, made to the House of Commons by Health Secretary Wes Streeting as part of a wider \"reset\" of the national New Hospital Programme (NHP), the government revealed that the previous target of building 40 new hospitals by 2030 was \"unfunded and undeliverable,\" leading to a significant rescheduling of projects across the country, placing the redevelopment of Berkshire's primary hospital in the slow lane.\nThe Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust issued a formal response expressing \"extreme disappointment\" at the delay, noting that the current aging estate would require roughly \u00a3400 million in maintenance costs just to remain operational until the new site is ready.\nHowever, despite this setback, it was also revealed in January that the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust is performing well, with latest government figures showing 81.7% of patients waiting less than 18 weeks to start treatment (an improvement from 80.4% a year ago with a further target of 85.4% by March 2026). This compares very favourably with averages in England of 61.8% (better than the 59.2% a year previously).\n\u00a0\nMedical HistoryReading has a proud medical tradition and this month inReading is taking a look at how healthcare has evolved in our town. From early Roman settlements, to the monolithic medieval cloisters of Reading Abbey to the cutting-edge digital diagnostics of the 21st century, to some degree the story of healthcare in Reading is a mirror of Britain\u2019s own medical development.\nA recent study from the University of Reading indicates that Roman urbanism significantly harmed the physical well-being of the population in ancient Britain. By examining the skeletal remains of women and children, scientist Rebecca Pitt discovered that the transition to city living introduced toxic lead exposure, overcrowding, and restricted resources. Interestingly, these negative health outcomes were exclusive to urban centers, while residents in rural communities maintained health standards similar to those of the earlier Iron Age. The study, published in the journal Antiquity, suggests that the social upheaval of Roman occupation created a distinct divide in quality of life between city dwellers and country inhabitants. What did the Romans do for us ? Well in nearby Roman town of Silchester, they brought bad health !However, Roman legionnaires could expect better treatment. The Romans introduced the concept of the dedicated hospital building, known as a valetudinarium. Primarily built for soldiers, these facilities featured corridors, wards, and specialized drainage. Roman surgical kits were remarkably modern in design. Archaeologists have recovered bronze scalpels, bone drills, forceps, and \"cataract needles.\" In Roman Silchester, evidence of such tools suggests that procedures like setting complex fractures or removing bladder stones were performed with a high degree of technical skill and you can see some of these tools in Reading Museum.\nMonastic HealthcareThe seeds of Reading\u2019s recent medical history were sown in 1121, when Henry I founded Reading Abbey. While the monks primarily cared for their own, the Abbey\u2019s infirmary represented the first organized medical presence in the town and still stands overlooking the graveyard of St Lawrence (ironically, today it is a nursery).\nMonastic healthcare was rooted in the Benedictine rule that \"the care of the sick must be placed before and above all things,\" a mandate that transformed the Abbey into a beacon of healing for Berkshire.\nAt the heart of this operation was the infirmitorium or infirmary, a separate building within the abbey complex designed to provide peace, specialized diet, and medical attention. The Monk Infirmarer was the medieval equivalent of a Head Of Medicine, responsible for managing the Abbey\u2019s apothecary and overseeing the \"physic garden.\" Within these gardens, located near the Holy Brook, monks cultivated a living pharmacopeia. They grew sage for fevers, hyssop for chest complaints, and \"all-heal\" (valerian) for nervous disorders. Medicine was a blend of \"Galenic\" theory\u2014the balancing of the four bodily humors\u2014and practical herbalism.\nTreatments at Reading Abbey were often surprisingly advanced yet fundamentally different from modern practice. The monks utilized \"uroscopy\" (the examination of urine for color and sediment) to diagnose ailments, and bloodletting was a routine preventative measure, believed to purge the body of excess \"heat.\" For the pilgrims who flocked to the Abbey to see the relic of the Hand of St. James, healing was often sought through a combination of prayer and the physical administration of tinctures. The Abbey also operated the Hospital of St. John, founded in 1189 specifically to serve the \"poor and pilgrims,\" marking the first time the town\u2019s laypeople had access to organized clinical care.\nAs the centuries progressed, the medicine at the Abbey evolved from purely spiritual \"miracle seeking\" to a more observational science. The monks began to record the efficacy of certain herbs, and by the 14th century, the influence of Islamic medical texts, translated into Latin, began to filter into monastic libraries. This brought a greater understanding of surgery and anatomy, moving away from the idea that illness was merely a divine punishment and toward the concept of environmental and physical causes.\nThe catastrophic end to this medical tradition came with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. When Henry VIII\u2019s commissioners arrived, the Abbey\u2019s infrastructure was dismantled, and its vast knowledge base was scattered. The impact on Reading was devastating; the Hospital of St. John was closed, and the organized care for the poor vanished almost overnight. The town entered a \"medical dark age\" that lasted for nearly three centuries.\nWithout the monks to tend the physic gardens or provide beds for the infirm, the burden of care fell to unskilled \"wise women\" or expensive private physicians. It was not until the 19th-century foundation of the Royal Berkshire Hospital that Reading regained a healthcare institution of the same scale and civic importance as the one lost during the Reformation.\nModern Era Of Healthcare\nThe modern era of healthcare truly began in the 1830s. At that time, Reading was a town in the throes of the Industrial Revolution, its population swelling and its medical needs outstripping the charity of local dispensaries.\nIn 1836, Richard Benyon of the Englefield Estate offered \u00a31,000 toward a dedicated hospital\u2014a sum so significant he famously insisted on having the hospital\u2019s architectural plans painted into the background of his official portrait. This philanthropic spark was fanned by Henry Addington, the 1st Viscount Sidmouth and a former Prime Minister, who donated four acres of land on London Road. The Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) opened its doors on May 27, 1839, a stunning piece of Bath stone architecture designed by Henry Briant which maintains much of its grandeur to this day.\n\nThe first year of operation offers a stark glimpse into 19th-century medicine. With a total annual budget of just \u00a3433, the hospital spent more on beer (\u00a391) than it did on many medical supplies, reflecting the contemporary belief in the restorative powers of ale! The ledger also records an expenditure of \u00a327 on leeches, a reminder of the era\u2019s reliance on bloodletting.\nThe hospital\u2019s very first patient, admitted on May 28, 1839, was a fifteen-year-old boy named George Earley. A laborer on the burgeoning Great Western Railway, Earley had suffered a catastrophic compound fracture to his upper arm while working on the Sonning Cutting. His arrival forced the hospital to open several days earlier than planned. In a harrowing pre-anaesthetic procedure, his arm was amputated at the shoulder. He survived, remaining in the hospital for two months\u2014a testament to the skill of early surgeons working without the luxuries of modern sedation, which would not arrive in Reading for another seven years.\nAs the 19th century gave way to the 20th, the RBH became a center for some of the most famous medical interventions in British history. Perhaps the most legendary figure was Leonard Joyce, a surgeon of such repute that his hands were said to be insured for a fortune. In 1931, Joyce faced his most high-profile challenge when a young, reckless RAF pilot named Douglas Bader crashed his Hawker Fury at Woodley Aerodrome.\nBader was rushed to the RBH with life-threatening injuries. Joyce performed a double amputation, saving the pilot\u2019s life. Bader\u2019s subsequent recovery and his role as a flying ace in the Battle of Britain became national legend, but it began in a ward in Reading. The bond between the two was so strong that Bader remained a frequent visitor to Joyce\u2019s home in Reading long after the war.\nWartime Strain and the Battle Hospital\nThe World Wars transformed Reading into a \"hospital town.\" During the First World War, the town became one of the largest war hospital complexes in the country. Battle Hospital, originally a workhouse infirmary, was designated \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital.\" Local schools were requisitioned to house the wounded, and at one point, over 3,500 children had to be relocated to make room for wards.\n\nBy the mid-20th century, healthcare was no longer a matter of private charity but a public right. When the NHS was formed in 1948, the Royal Berkshire had 413 beds and was seeing nearly 30,000 outpatients annually. This era saw the leadership of Matron Winifred Aldwinckle, a formidable figure who had been one of the first nurses to land in Normandy after D-Day. Under her stewardship from 1948 to 1966, the hospital transitioned into the modern era, grappling with the polio epidemics of the 1950s\u2014an era still represented in the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre by a haunting 1939 \"Iron Lung.\"\nModern Expansion and the Digital Frontier\nToday, the scale of healthcare in Reading has reached proportions the founders could never have imagined. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust now employs nearly 7,000 staff and serves a community of over one million people. The \"wooden doors\" that George Earley walked through are now part of a sprawling complex that integrates high-tech cardiology, a world-class maternity unit, and a dedicated urology center named after Frederick Potts, Reading\u2019s only Victoria Cross recipient.\nRecent statistics underscore the efficiency of the modern trust; the Accident and Emergency department consistently ranks among the most efficient in the country, with over 99% of patients frequently meeting the four-hour treatment target. Furthermore, the partnership with the University of Reading has turned the town into a hub for medical research, focusing on cardiovascular health and the training of Physician Associates to meet the rising demand of an ever expanding and aging population.\nWhilst now driven by 21st-century technology like fibre-optic endoscopes and AI-assisted diagnostics, the physical and material condition of the hospital, along with severe restrictions for parking.\nIt seems that the current site will need to be maintained and evolved for the foreseeable future, although the three main options will remain in open consultation for the time being:\nOption 1: Development of a new emergency care block, elective centre, and a women\u2019s and children\u2019s facility on the current site.\nOption 2: A substantial, phased rebuild of the existing site, retaining the iconic 1839 Bath stone facade but replacing almost all other structures.\nOption 3: A complete relocation to a new site, potentially at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield or near Green Park.\nRelocation is favored by Wokingham and West Berkshire councils, who argue it would resolve chronic parking issues and improve accessibility for the wider region. However, Reading Borough Council has remained a staunch advocate for keeping the hospital \"at the heart of the community,\" citing concerns that a move to the edge of town would disadvantage residents reliant on public transport.\nBridging the Gap\nDespite the major delay, the Trust is not standing still. Construction is currently underway on a new elective surgical unit in the South Block, scheduled for completion in summer 2025. This \"surgical hub\" is designed to cut waiting lists and provide modern facilities in the interim.\nFurthermore, the Trust has recently opened a new on-site Urgent Care Centre and expanded its diagnostic facilities in Bracknell and West Berkshire. These satellite \"enabling works\" are part of a strategy to move care closer to patients while the central hospital site remains in a state of limbo.\nPrivate Healthcare\nReading serves as a significant regional hub for private healthcare, offering several major hospitals and specialized clinics that cater to self-funding patients, those with private medical insurance, and NHS \"Choose and Book\" referrals.\nThe following facilities represent the primary private medical landscape in the town:\nMajor Private Hospitals\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Circle Reading Hospital (Circle Health Group): Located at Kennet Island (Drake Way), this is one of the most modern facilities in the region. It features 30 inpatient beds, 20-day case \"pods,\" and five operating theatres. It is particularly noted for its award-winning design and specialized units for orthopaedics, spinal surgery, and rehabilitation.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spire Dunedin Hospital: Situated on Bath Road, Dunedin has been a fixture of Reading\u2019s medical community for over a century. It offers a comprehensive range of specialties, including a \"one-stop\" breast clinic, cardiology, oncology, and a private GP service. It operates across several Victorian buildings converted into high-tech clinical spaces.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Berkshire Independent Hospital (Ramsay Health Care): Located in Coley Park (Wensley Road), this hospital opened in 1993 and houses 43 patient rooms. It is a major provider of orthopaedic procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, and features a dedicated level-two high dependency unit.\nSpecialized Clinics and GP Services\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mayfield Clinic: A dedicated private general practice in central Reading that offers same-day GP appointments, prescriptions, and specialist referrals. They cater to patients who require longer consultation times or faster access than is currently available via local NHS primary care.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Forbury Clinic: Operating out of two locations (Kendrick Road and Craven Road), this clinic focuses on consultant-led specialist care, including urology, radiology, and advanced diagnostics.\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berkshire Imaging: Often working in partnership with the local NHS Trust, this private radiology group provides high-level MRI, CT, and ultrasound scanning services, often based within the Royal Berkshire Hospital site or dedicated private suites.\n\u00a0\nAlong with the challenges of maintaining current services in the face of an ageing and increasingly ill population, the creeping privatisation of the NHS is another challenge for the future, with the extreme right Reform UK party advocating part privatisation of the NHS towards a more American style model.\n\u00a0\nFind Out More\nThe Royal Berkshire Medical Museum, founded in 1997 and situated in the left wing of the main hospital building on London Road shows the remarkable progress made over the centuries in medicine, surgery, nursing, midwifery, dentistry and other aspects of healthcare where you can see and find out more about the history of healthcare in Reading.\n\u00a0\nThe museum is open on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 2.00 to 4.30pm. Volunteers will show you round and answer any questions you may have.\nhttps://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/about-us/community-engagement/medical-museum\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "The Royal Berkshire Hospital faces significant construction delays, pushing new development to 2040. This article delves into Reading's rich medical history, from Roman practices to monastic healing, alongside the hospital's current performance.", "date_published": "2026-02-01T17:12:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:22.916605+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/2ca01f90.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/2ca01f90.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "A Reading Health Check", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 3246, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\u00a0
\n
In late January 2026 the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) revealed that The Royal Berkshire Hospital has been placed in the final 'wave' of the New Hospitals Programme. This means construction is now slated to begin between 2037 and 2039, with completion potentially pushed to 2040. So this month we're taking a deep dive into health in our town past, present and future.
The announcement, made to the House of Commons by Health Secretary Wes Streeting as part of a wider \"reset\" of the national New Hospital Programme (NHP), the government revealed that the previous target of building 40 new hospitals by 2030 was \"unfunded and undeliverable,\" leading to a significant rescheduling of projects across the country, placing the redevelopment of Berkshire's primary hospital in the slow lane.
\nThe Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust issued a formal response expressing \"extreme disappointment\" at the delay, noting that the current aging estate would require roughly \u00a3400 million in maintenance costs just to remain operational until the new site is ready.
\nHowever, despite this setback, it was also revealed in January that the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust is performing well, with latest government figures showing 81.7% of patients waiting less than 18 weeks to start treatment (an improvement from 80.4% a year ago with a further target of 85.4% by March 2026). This compares very favourably with averages in England of 61.8% (better than the 59.2% a year previously).
\n\u00a0
\nMedical History
Reading has a proud medical tradition and this month inReading is taking a look at how healthcare has evolved in our town. From early Roman settlements, to the monolithic medieval cloisters of Reading Abbey to the cutting-edge digital diagnostics of the 21st century, to some degree the story of healthcare in Reading is a mirror of Britain\u2019s own medical development.
A recent study from the University of Reading indicates that Roman urbanism significantly harmed the physical well-being of the population in ancient Britain. By examining the skeletal remains of women and children, scientist Rebecca Pitt discovered that the transition to city living introduced toxic lead exposure, overcrowding, and restricted resources. Interestingly, these negative health outcomes were exclusive to urban centers, while residents in rural communities maintained health standards similar to those of the earlier Iron Age. The study, published in the journal Antiquity, suggests that the social upheaval of Roman occupation created a distinct divide in quality of life between city dwellers and country inhabitants. What did the Romans do for us ? Well in nearby Roman town of Silchester, they brought bad health !
However, Roman legionnaires could expect better treatment. The Romans introduced the concept of the dedicated hospital building, known as a valetudinarium. Primarily built for soldiers, these facilities featured corridors, wards, and specialized drainage.
Roman surgical kits were remarkably modern in design. Archaeologists have recovered bronze scalpels, bone drills, forceps, and \"cataract needles.\" In Roman Silchester, evidence of such tools suggests that procedures like setting complex fractures or removing bladder stones were performed with a high degree of technical skill and you can see some of these tools in Reading Museum.
Monastic Healthcare
The seeds of Reading\u2019s recent medical history were sown in 1121, when Henry I founded Reading Abbey. While the monks primarily cared for their own, the Abbey\u2019s infirmary represented the first organized medical presence in the town and still stands overlooking the graveyard of St Lawrence (ironically, today it is a nursery).
Monastic healthcare was rooted in the Benedictine rule that \"the care of the sick must be placed before and above all things,\" a mandate that transformed the Abbey into a beacon of healing for Berkshire.
\nAt the heart of this operation was the infirmitorium or infirmary, a separate building within the abbey complex designed to provide peace, specialized diet, and medical attention. The Monk Infirmarer was the medieval equivalent of a Head Of Medicine, responsible for managing the Abbey\u2019s apothecary and overseeing the \"physic garden.\" Within these gardens, located near the Holy Brook, monks cultivated a living pharmacopeia. They grew sage for fevers, hyssop for chest complaints, and \"all-heal\" (valerian) for nervous disorders. Medicine was a blend of \"Galenic\" theory\u2014the balancing of the four bodily humors\u2014and practical herbalism.
\nTreatments at Reading Abbey were often surprisingly advanced yet fundamentally different from modern practice. The monks utilized \"uroscopy\" (the examination of urine for color and sediment) to diagnose ailments, and bloodletting was a routine preventative measure, believed to purge the body of excess \"heat.\" For the pilgrims who flocked to the Abbey to see the relic of the Hand of St. James, healing was often sought through a combination of prayer and the physical administration of tinctures. The Abbey also operated the Hospital of St. John, founded in 1189 specifically to serve the \"poor and pilgrims,\" marking the first time the town\u2019s laypeople had access to organized clinical care.
\nAs the centuries progressed, the medicine at the Abbey evolved from purely spiritual \"miracle seeking\" to a more observational science. The monks began to record the efficacy of certain herbs, and by the 14th century, the influence of Islamic medical texts, translated into Latin, began to filter into monastic libraries. This brought a greater understanding of surgery and anatomy, moving away from the idea that illness was merely a divine punishment and toward the concept of environmental and physical causes.
\nThe catastrophic end to this medical tradition came with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. When Henry VIII\u2019s commissioners arrived, the Abbey\u2019s infrastructure was dismantled, and its vast knowledge base was scattered. The impact on Reading was devastating; the Hospital of St. John was closed, and the organized care for the poor vanished almost overnight. The town entered a \"medical dark age\" that lasted for nearly three centuries.
\nWithout the monks to tend the physic gardens or provide beds for the infirm, the burden of care fell to unskilled \"wise women\" or expensive private physicians. It was not until the 19th-century foundation of the Royal Berkshire Hospital that Reading regained a healthcare institution of the same scale and civic importance as the one lost during the Reformation.
\nModern Era Of Healthcare
\nThe modern era of healthcare truly began in the 1830s. At that time, Reading was a town in the throes of the Industrial Revolution, its population swelling and its medical needs outstripping the charity of local dispensaries.
\nIn 1836, Richard Benyon of the Englefield Estate offered \u00a31,000 toward a dedicated hospital\u2014a sum so significant he famously insisted on having the hospital\u2019s architectural plans painted into the background of his official portrait. This philanthropic spark was fanned by Henry Addington, the 1st Viscount Sidmouth and a former Prime Minister, who donated four acres of land on London Road. The Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) opened its doors on May 27, 1839, a stunning piece of Bath stone architecture designed by Henry Briant which maintains much of its grandeur to this day.
\n
The first year of operation offers a stark glimpse into 19th-century medicine. With a total annual budget of just \u00a3433, the hospital spent more on beer (\u00a391) than it did on many medical supplies, reflecting the contemporary belief in the restorative powers of ale! The ledger also records an expenditure of \u00a327 on leeches, a reminder of the era\u2019s reliance on bloodletting.
\nThe hospital\u2019s very first patient, admitted on May 28, 1839, was a fifteen-year-old boy named George Earley. A laborer on the burgeoning Great Western Railway, Earley had suffered a catastrophic compound fracture to his upper arm while working on the Sonning Cutting. His arrival forced the hospital to open several days earlier than planned. In a harrowing pre-anaesthetic procedure, his arm was amputated at the shoulder. He survived, remaining in the hospital for two months\u2014a testament to the skill of early surgeons working without the luxuries of modern sedation, which would not arrive in Reading for another seven years.
\nAs the 19th century gave way to the 20th, the RBH became a center for some of the most famous medical interventions in British history. Perhaps the most legendary figure was Leonard Joyce, a surgeon of such repute that his hands were said to be insured for a fortune. In 1931, Joyce faced his most high-profile challenge when a young, reckless RAF pilot named Douglas Bader crashed his Hawker Fury at Woodley Aerodrome.
\nBader was rushed to the RBH with life-threatening injuries. Joyce performed a double amputation, saving the pilot\u2019s life. Bader\u2019s subsequent recovery and his role as a flying ace in the Battle of Britain became national legend, but it began in a ward in Reading. The bond between the two was so strong that Bader remained a frequent visitor to Joyce\u2019s home in Reading long after the war.
\nWartime Strain and the Battle Hospital
\nThe World Wars transformed Reading into a \"hospital town.\" During the First World War, the town became one of the largest war hospital complexes in the country. Battle Hospital, originally a workhouse infirmary, was designated \"Reading No. 1 War Hospital.\" Local schools were requisitioned to house the wounded, and at one point, over 3,500 children had to be relocated to make room for wards.
\n
By the mid-20th century, healthcare was no longer a matter of private charity but a public right. When the NHS was formed in 1948, the Royal Berkshire had 413 beds and was seeing nearly 30,000 outpatients annually. This era saw the leadership of Matron Winifred Aldwinckle, a formidable figure who had been one of the first nurses to land in Normandy after D-Day. Under her stewardship from 1948 to 1966, the hospital transitioned into the modern era, grappling with the polio epidemics of the 1950s\u2014an era still represented in the Berkshire Medical Heritage Centre by a haunting 1939 \"Iron Lung.\"
\nModern Expansion and the Digital Frontier
\nToday, the scale of healthcare in Reading has reached proportions the founders could never have imagined. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust now employs nearly 7,000 staff and serves a community of over one million people. The \"wooden doors\" that George Earley walked through are now part of a sprawling complex that integrates high-tech cardiology, a world-class maternity unit, and a dedicated urology center named after Frederick Potts, Reading\u2019s only Victoria Cross recipient.
\nRecent statistics underscore the efficiency of the modern trust; the Accident and Emergency department consistently ranks among the most efficient in the country, with over 99% of patients frequently meeting the four-hour treatment target. Furthermore, the partnership with the University of Reading has turned the town into a hub for medical research, focusing on cardiovascular health and the training of Physician Associates to meet the rising demand of an ever expanding and aging population.
\nWhilst now driven by 21st-century technology like fibre-optic endoscopes and AI-assisted diagnostics, the physical and material condition of the hospital, along with severe restrictions for parking.
\nIt seems that the current site will need to be maintained and evolved for the foreseeable future, although the three main options will remain in open consultation for the time being:
\nOption 1: Development of a new emergency care block, elective centre, and a women\u2019s and children\u2019s facility on the current site.
\nOption 2: A substantial, phased rebuild of the existing site, retaining the iconic 1839 Bath stone facade but replacing almost all other structures.
\nOption 3: A complete relocation to a new site, potentially at the Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield or near Green Park.
\nRelocation is favored by Wokingham and West Berkshire councils, who argue it would resolve chronic parking issues and improve accessibility for the wider region. However, Reading Borough Council has remained a staunch advocate for keeping the hospital \"at the heart of the community,\" citing concerns that a move to the edge of town would disadvantage residents reliant on public transport.
\nBridging the Gap
\nDespite the major delay, the Trust is not standing still. Construction is currently underway on a new elective surgical unit in the South Block, scheduled for completion in summer 2025. This \"surgical hub\" is designed to cut waiting lists and provide modern facilities in the interim.
\nFurthermore, the Trust has recently opened a new on-site Urgent Care Centre and expanded its diagnostic facilities in Bracknell and West Berkshire. These satellite \"enabling works\" are part of a strategy to move care closer to patients while the central hospital site remains in a state of limbo.
\nPrivate Healthcare
\nReading serves as a significant regional hub for private healthcare, offering several major hospitals and specialized clinics that cater to self-funding patients, those with private medical insurance, and NHS \"Choose and Book\" referrals.
\nThe following facilities represent the primary private medical landscape in the town:
\nMajor Private Hospitals
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Circle Reading Hospital (Circle Health Group): Located at Kennet Island (Drake Way), this is one of the most modern facilities in the region. It features 30 inpatient beds, 20-day case \"pods,\" and five operating theatres. It is particularly noted for its award-winning design and specialized units for orthopaedics, spinal surgery, and rehabilitation.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spire Dunedin Hospital: Situated on Bath Road, Dunedin has been a fixture of Reading\u2019s medical community for over a century. It offers a comprehensive range of specialties, including a \"one-stop\" breast clinic, cardiology, oncology, and a private GP service. It operates across several Victorian buildings converted into high-tech clinical spaces.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Berkshire Independent Hospital (Ramsay Health Care): Located in Coley Park (Wensley Road), this hospital opened in 1993 and houses 43 patient rooms. It is a major provider of orthopaedic procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, and features a dedicated level-two high dependency unit.
\nSpecialized Clinics and GP Services
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mayfield Clinic: A dedicated private general practice in central Reading that offers same-day GP appointments, prescriptions, and specialist referrals. They cater to patients who require longer consultation times or faster access than is currently available via local NHS primary care.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Forbury Clinic: Operating out of two locations (Kendrick Road and Craven Road), this clinic focuses on consultant-led specialist care, including urology, radiology, and advanced diagnostics.
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Berkshire Imaging: Often working in partnership with the local NHS Trust, this private radiology group provides high-level MRI, CT, and ultrasound scanning services, often based within the Royal Berkshire Hospital site or dedicated private suites.
\n\u00a0
\nAlong with the challenges of maintaining current services in the face of an ageing and increasingly ill population, the creeping privatisation of the NHS is another challenge for the future, with the extreme right Reform UK party advocating part privatisation of the NHS towards a more American style model.
\n\u00a0
\nFind Out More
\nThe Royal Berkshire Medical Museum, founded in 1997 and situated in the left wing of the main hospital building on London Road shows the remarkable progress made over the centuries in medicine, surgery, nursing, midwifery, dentistry and other aspects of healthcare where you can see and find out more about the history of healthcare in Reading.
\n\u00a0
\n
The museum is open on the first and third Sundays of each month, from 2.00 to 4.30pm. Volunteers will show you round and answer any questions you may have.
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/about-us/community-engagement/medical-museum
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", "description": "The Royal Berkshire Hospital faces significant construction delays, pushing new development to 2040. This article delves into Reading's rich medical history, from Roman practices to monastic healing, alongside the hospital's current performance.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:22.916605+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-02-01T17:12:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/a-reading-health-check/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "328", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-the-lyndhurst/", "title": "Eating Out - The Lyndhurst", "content_html": "And so back to The Lyndhurst, possibly the most inconsistent of all Reading pubs thanks to its avaricious big pubco owner.
\nAt its heart it is a local and my mate G had just the previous week met up with his cadre of ex Microsoft colleagues for a massive reunion there which seemed to go quite well.
\nBut at a time when after work drinks is but a past memory beyond such reunions, it is local drinkers who keep pubs like The Lyndhurst going, and the East Reading enclave known as 'The Village' is spoilt with three 'locals'.
\nThis is, unfortunately, a Stonegate pub. Part of the same debt ridden group as the Slug & Lettuce and Yates et al. Which explains the turnover in landlords which thankfully seems to have stabilised with the current incumbents.
\nSomewhat ironically, we were in The Lyndhurst for Sunday lunch before going on around the corner to The Retreat for its 150th birthday celebration (which is quite an achievement for a boozer these days, albeit a few centuries behind reading\u2019s oldest pub, The Rising Sun).
\nAs many of you will know, beyond the odd pickled egg, The Retreat never has and never will do food. It is, and always will be, a local boozer, so we opted to dine at The Lyndhurst before an afternoon of more drink, music and conviviality.
\nIt is extraordinary that The Retreat, The Lyndhurst and The Elgin (on and off) are able to exist within a few hundred yards of each other. Especially when there is a Spoons a few hundred yards away on Kings Road. Good for them, and long may it continue.
\nSo, here we are. Back at The Lyndhurst once more for more than a drink.\u00a0
\nSometimes when you meet an old friend you can reminisce but you realise that things just aren't the same. Your shared love of Deep Purple and Ginny in class 5B isn't there any longer - and so it is with pubs and restaurants. Many of us have fond memories of the scotch egg and Korean burger and the great Sunday lunches when Sheldon and Dishon ran the pub (where are they now ?). They were always going to be a tough act to follow.
\nThe pub went through unpopular owners and the current g'vnors seem to want to be broader not deeper, which is fair enough.
\nWe walked into the decisive round of Formula 1 on the screens (they have Sky and TNT). A Brit went round and round in circles faster than anyone else and won a championship, apparently. I have long lost any fleeting interest I had in that 'sport', so we found a table away from the two large screens and caught up with G\u2019s latest exploits and travel (Milan, where I once had a business, gave us somewhere to compare notes following his recent visit).
\nThere were families and a couple enjoying a Sunday lunch and the place was full, if not heaving.
\nThe newish owners seem to be making a good go of things, although I cannot see how they can be generating more revenue for their rapacious owners than the previous displaced incumbents did.
\nThe food was adequate to good - G and I went for the turkey meal, it being December. My family, being Frenchish have a Capon on Christmas Day, which leaves me bereft. I love the massive dry meat from a turkey - more for its tradition than anything else, I suspect - so I jumped at this opportunity to make up for lost Christmas meals\u2026
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/328e34baedd8.jpg\")
Here, the meat was carved from a block, the gravy was pleasant, the carrots and parsnips honeyed, sprouts shaved, Yorkshire pud a bit dry and disappointing, toasties barely roasted, stuffing OK and a nice pig in its blanket...
\nWe bumped into my neighbour Liz and she joined us, having the chicken roast which seemed equally decent. Liz comes here for lunch every Sunday after church and I must admit that I will probably become more of a regular when a Sunday roast calls, rather than traipse across town to The Rising Sun.\u00a0
\nService was stretched but competent and friendly. It just all seemed like a step down from what used to be here and all three of us were somewhat sentimental for those bygone days of our past. But times move on, and The Lyndhurst is open and thriving and we can only be grateful for that these days. Shamefully, I have stopped really going out to any local pubs recently, but enjoying my Sunday lunch in good company with a decent Double Barrel Plum, I realised that I am the problem and, contrary I suspect to many of you, undertook to make January a month to support our local boozers.
\nIndeed, it is time for all of us to support our local pubs and accept them for what they are and what they are trying to do - give us a convivial place to meet and mingle with friends and our local community. If you don\u2019t drink, go for a coffee, or a soft drink and a burger. If we don\u2019t use them, we will lose them\u2026
\nOn that note we continued our mini pub crawl around the corner where The Retreat was heaving with a Beatles cover band playing in the corner. So here\u2019s a personal thanks to Brian and Di and everyone who keeps our locals going in the face of endless challenges.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/4444ebb322b2.jpg\")
Brian, former landlord of The Retreat
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/646b2a654409.jpg\")
Di, the current landlady of The Retreat\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nCHECK OUT OUR inREADING FOOD BLOG
", "content_text": "And so back to The Lyndhurst, possibly the most inconsistent of all Reading pubs thanks to its avaricious big pubco owner.\nAt its heart it is a local and my mate G had just the previous week met up with his cadre of ex Microsoft colleagues for a massive reunion there which seemed to go quite well.\nBut at a time when after work drinks is but a past memory beyond such reunions, it is local drinkers who keep pubs like The Lyndhurst going, and the East Reading enclave known as 'The Village' is spoilt with three 'locals'.\nThis is, unfortunately, a Stonegate pub. Part of the same debt ridden group as the Slug & Lettuce and Yates et al. Which explains the turnover in landlords which thankfully seems to have stabilised with the current incumbents.\nSomewhat ironically, we were in The Lyndhurst for Sunday lunch before going on around the corner to The Retreat for its 150th birthday celebration (which is quite an achievement for a boozer these days, albeit a few centuries behind reading\u2019s oldest pub, The Rising Sun).\nAs many of you will know, beyond the odd pickled egg, The Retreat never has and never will do food. It is, and always will be, a local boozer, so we opted to dine at The Lyndhurst before an afternoon of more drink, music and conviviality.\nIt is extraordinary that The Retreat, The Lyndhurst and The Elgin (on and off) are able to exist within a few hundred yards of each other. Especially when there is a Spoons a few hundred yards away on Kings Road. Good for them, and long may it continue.\nSo, here we are. Back at The Lyndhurst once more for more than a drink.\u00a0\nSometimes when you meet an old friend you can reminisce but you realise that things just aren't the same. Your shared love of Deep Purple and Ginny in class 5B isn't there any longer - and so it is with pubs and restaurants. Many of us have fond memories of the scotch egg and Korean burger and the great Sunday lunches when Sheldon and Dishon ran the pub (where are they now ?). They were always going to be a tough act to follow.\nThe pub went through unpopular owners and the current g'vnors seem to want to be broader not deeper, which is fair enough.\nWe walked into the decisive round of Formula 1 on the screens (they have Sky and TNT). A Brit went round and round in circles faster than anyone else and won a championship, apparently. I have long lost any fleeting interest I had in that 'sport', so we found a table away from the two large screens and caught up with G\u2019s latest exploits and travel (Milan, where I once had a business, gave us somewhere to compare notes following his recent visit).\nThere were families and a couple enjoying a Sunday lunch and the place was full, if not heaving.\nThe newish owners seem to be making a good go of things, although I cannot see how they can be generating more revenue for their rapacious owners than the previous displaced incumbents did.\nThe food was adequate to good - G and I went for the turkey meal, it being December. My family, being Frenchish have a Capon on Christmas Day, which leaves me bereft. I love the massive dry meat from a turkey - more for its tradition than anything else, I suspect - so I jumped at this opportunity to make up for lost Christmas meals\u2026\n\nHere, the meat was carved from a block, the gravy was pleasant, the carrots and parsnips honeyed, sprouts shaved, Yorkshire pud a bit dry and disappointing, toasties barely roasted, stuffing OK and a nice pig in its blanket...\nWe bumped into my neighbour Liz and she joined us, having the chicken roast which seemed equally decent. Liz comes here for lunch every Sunday after church and I must admit that I will probably become more of a regular when a Sunday roast calls, rather than traipse across town to The Rising Sun.\u00a0\nService was stretched but competent and friendly. It just all seemed like a step down from what used to be here and all three of us were somewhat sentimental for those bygone days of our past. But times move on, and The Lyndhurst is open and thriving and we can only be grateful for that these days. Shamefully, I have stopped really going out to any local pubs recently, but enjoying my Sunday lunch in good company with a decent Double Barrel Plum, I realised that I am the problem and, contrary I suspect to many of you, undertook to make January a month to support our local boozers.\nIndeed, it is time for all of us to support our local pubs and accept them for what they are and what they are trying to do - give us a convivial place to meet and mingle with friends and our local community. If you don\u2019t drink, go for a coffee, or a soft drink and a burger. If we don\u2019t use them, we will lose them\u2026\nOn that note we continued our mini pub crawl around the corner where The Retreat was heaving with a Beatles cover band playing in the corner. So here\u2019s a personal thanks to Brian and Di and everyone who keeps our locals going in the face of endless challenges.\n\u00a0\n\nBrian, former landlord of The Retreat\n\nDi, the current landlady of The Retreat\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCHECK OUT OUR inREADING FOOD BLOG", "summary": "Exploring The Lyndhurst in Reading's 'The Village', this review delves into its inconsistent Sunday roast experience, comparing it to past glories and local competitors like The Retreat. Find out if it's worth a visit.", "date_published": "2026-01-01T18:45:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:31.944910+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/54756801.jpg", "tags": [ "Food Blog" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/54756801.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Eating Out - The Lyndhurst", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1100, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "And so back to The Lyndhurst, possibly the most inconsistent of all Reading pubs thanks to its avaricious big pubco owner.
\nAt its heart it is a local and my mate G had just the previous week met up with his cadre of ex Microsoft colleagues for a massive reunion there which seemed to go quite well.
\nBut at a time when after work drinks is but a past memory beyond such reunions, it is local drinkers who keep pubs like The Lyndhurst going, and the East Reading enclave known as 'The Village' is spoilt with three 'locals'.
\nThis is, unfortunately, a Stonegate pub. Part of the same debt ridden group as the Slug & Lettuce and Yates et al. Which explains the turnover in landlords which thankfully seems to have stabilised with the current incumbents.
\nSomewhat ironically, we were in The Lyndhurst for Sunday lunch before going on around the corner to The Retreat for its 150th birthday celebration (which is quite an achievement for a boozer these days, albeit a few centuries behind reading\u2019s oldest pub, The Rising Sun).
\nAs many of you will know, beyond the odd pickled egg, The Retreat never has and never will do food. It is, and always will be, a local boozer, so we opted to dine at The Lyndhurst before an afternoon of more drink, music and conviviality.
\nIt is extraordinary that The Retreat, The Lyndhurst and The Elgin (on and off) are able to exist within a few hundred yards of each other. Especially when there is a Spoons a few hundred yards away on Kings Road. Good for them, and long may it continue.
\nSo, here we are. Back at The Lyndhurst once more for more than a drink.\u00a0
\nSometimes when you meet an old friend you can reminisce but you realise that things just aren't the same. Your shared love of Deep Purple and Ginny in class 5B isn't there any longer - and so it is with pubs and restaurants. Many of us have fond memories of the scotch egg and Korean burger and the great Sunday lunches when Sheldon and Dishon ran the pub (where are they now ?). They were always going to be a tough act to follow.
\nThe pub went through unpopular owners and the current g'vnors seem to want to be broader not deeper, which is fair enough.
\nWe walked into the decisive round of Formula 1 on the screens (they have Sky and TNT). A Brit went round and round in circles faster than anyone else and won a championship, apparently. I have long lost any fleeting interest I had in that 'sport', so we found a table away from the two large screens and caught up with G\u2019s latest exploits and travel (Milan, where I once had a business, gave us somewhere to compare notes following his recent visit).
\nThere were families and a couple enjoying a Sunday lunch and the place was full, if not heaving.
\nThe newish owners seem to be making a good go of things, although I cannot see how they can be generating more revenue for their rapacious owners than the previous displaced incumbents did.
\nThe food was adequate to good - G and I went for the turkey meal, it being December. My family, being Frenchish have a Capon on Christmas Day, which leaves me bereft. I love the massive dry meat from a turkey - more for its tradition than anything else, I suspect - so I jumped at this opportunity to make up for lost Christmas meals\u2026
\n
Here, the meat was carved from a block, the gravy was pleasant, the carrots and parsnips honeyed, sprouts shaved, Yorkshire pud a bit dry and disappointing, toasties barely roasted, stuffing OK and a nice pig in its blanket...
\nWe bumped into my neighbour Liz and she joined us, having the chicken roast which seemed equally decent. Liz comes here for lunch every Sunday after church and I must admit that I will probably become more of a regular when a Sunday roast calls, rather than traipse across town to The Rising Sun.\u00a0
\nService was stretched but competent and friendly. It just all seemed like a step down from what used to be here and all three of us were somewhat sentimental for those bygone days of our past. But times move on, and The Lyndhurst is open and thriving and we can only be grateful for that these days. Shamefully, I have stopped really going out to any local pubs recently, but enjoying my Sunday lunch in good company with a decent Double Barrel Plum, I realised that I am the problem and, contrary I suspect to many of you, undertook to make January a month to support our local boozers.
\nIndeed, it is time for all of us to support our local pubs and accept them for what they are and what they are trying to do - give us a convivial place to meet and mingle with friends and our local community. If you don\u2019t drink, go for a coffee, or a soft drink and a burger. If we don\u2019t use them, we will lose them\u2026
\nOn that note we continued our mini pub crawl around the corner where The Retreat was heaving with a Beatles cover band playing in the corner. So here\u2019s a personal thanks to Brian and Di and everyone who keeps our locals going in the face of endless challenges.
\n\u00a0
\n
Brian, former landlord of The Retreat
\n
Di, the current landlady of The Retreat\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nCHECK OUT OUR inREADING FOOD BLOG
", "description": "Exploring The Lyndhurst in Reading's 'The Village', this review delves into its inconsistent Sunday roast experience, comparing it to past glories and local competitors like The Retreat. Find out if it's worth a visit.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:31.944910+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-01-01T18:45:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Food Blog", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, UK", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-the-lyndhurst/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "327", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/inreading-journo-honoured/", "title": "inReading Journo Honoured", "content_html": "\u00a0
\nOur colleague Phil Creighton, former editor of reading Today and Wokingham Today and a journalist and editor in Reading for most of his career was last month awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Reading University in December for his contribution to journalism in our town. Here he reminisces about the changes local media has gone through over the past decades.
\nWhat\u2019s black and white and read all over? A newspaper from 30 years ago.
\nWhen I came to Reading for university back in 1996, the town was served by the Evening Post, the Chronicle, the Standard, and Midweek. Newspaper vendors would be telling us to read all about it at various points in the town centre, while the former printworks of one title had long been converted into a restaurant.
\nStudents at the University of Reading were able to create their own newspaper, Spark, and it was here my career started.
\nAdd in to that mix Blast, a community radio station run by Reading College, and cable TV company Telecential had its own station for the Thames Valley.
\nQuite the mixed media.
\nLast month, the University of Reading conferred an honorary doctorate on me for my journalistic career, which started with its student newspaper, Spark. Printed at the Evening Post, this became a calling card and, in the summer of 1997, I joined its ad setting department before moving to editorial on graduation. Since then, I\u2019ve worked for The Baptist Times, made regular appearances on BBC Radio Berkshire and Premier Radio and, when The Wokingham Times closed in 2014, launched The Wokingham Paper.
\nFor communities to stick together, they need three glues: a strong local newspaper, good pubs, and great community hubs such as places of worship, clubs and village halls. The three go hand in hand, with newspapers acting as the mouthpiece for communities, able to ask the awkward questions, celebrate the good times, and walk alongside people during the bad.
\nAnd there have been some bad times. During my stint in the world of local news, I\u2019ve seen \u2013 among others \u2013 the Paddington railway disaster, 9/11, the Forbury terrorist attacks, several major fires, and Ruth Perry\u2019s death following an Ofsted inspection. On each occasion, restrained and measured coverage has helped communities grieve while sharing accurate and impartial information.
\nThat has been my guiding philosophy, and while I may have worked on different publications, my journey has spanned the immense changes the media industry has seen over the past three decades.
\nBack in 1996, there were still some hot metal newspapers in existence: I visited one for dissertation research. These were typeset using individual lines of type cast from molten lead. The method dates back hundreds of years, is labour-intensive, and is less flexible than more modern methods that involve computers.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/23d0f3201959.jpg\")
The Thames Valley has always been part of the UK\u2019s Silicon Valley, so it should be no surprise that when it launched, the Reading Evening Post was one of the most technically advanced newspapers in the country. It was able to print full colour at a time when most printing presses were black-and-white, and its print room technicians were among the best in the land. They were proud to show me the full-colour broadsheet page they produced for the 1969 moon landings. No computers or AI to do the heavy lifting \u2013 they had to prepare the colour plates by hand. Their work was spot-on, and many Reading households will have kept it as a souvenir of this historic occasion.
\nWe forget just how much more a newspaper is than a physical product. The Evening Post was very much part of the fabric of Reading, employing several hundred people, printed on site and ensuring reporters attended events, while editors were on the board of many initiatives including Reading UK CIC (what is now REDA), the SeniorSafe campaign, launching the annual Pride of Reading awards, and sponsoring many events, including the annual sports awards.
\nShops all over the town would have Evening Post branding and billboards, while the company\u2019s vans would be an ever-present sight on the roads. On Tuesdays, there were queues outside estate agents as househunters sought the latest listings from its property guide.
\nWhile people say it was the Internet, still very much in its infancy back in 1996, that transformed the way we relate to local newspapers, it was actually access to home broadband that was the difference.
\nBack in 1996, to surf the World Wide Web, you either used a modem that hogged the telephone line or fitted an ISDN line. It was NTL (now Virgin Media) that changed this, installing the first broadband line in a residential home at the turn of the 21st century. The speeds were slow \u2013 128Kbps was barely faster than dial-up, but it was enough to see the tide turn. In 1998, just 9% of UK households had access to the internet. Now, fewer than 1 in 20 homes are without a digital connection.
\nOnline portals became the norm: why wait until Tuesday for the latest homes on sale when you can see them instantly on sites such as RightMove and Zoopla? And so began the upheavals that have ruptured local news as we know it.
\nThe changes to the Reading Evening Post have been marked. Back in 2009, as part of a cost-cutting measure, it went twice weekly: Wednesdays for the Reading Post, while Friday\u2019s edition was named after the website, Get Reading. Another round of redundancies followed; The Wokingham Times office closed, and those left had to work harder just to stand still.
\nUltimately, in 2014, a decision was made to go online-only, but without a printed presence, GetReading's influence diminished; it was now one voice among many, and several name and format changes diluted that voice further. It currently exists as a Facebook page that reprints syndicated copy relevant to Berkshire.
\nWith a desire to focus on the largest possible online audience for each story, what had been traditional bread and butter for local news has been eschewed: jumble sales, Women\u2019s Institutes and Rotary Clubs, ribbon cuttings, and children\u2019s activities have all fallen by the wayside. The days of a local newspaper being the first draft of an area\u2019s social history are diminishing.
\nAt the same time, the new ways of doing local news are exciting. The hyperlocal movement \u2013 independent publications \u2013 allows smaller organisations to excel in a niche. The cost of putting a website together is negligible compared to running a daily newspaper, and there are different ways to reach audiences; news doesn\u2019t have to be a website, it can be social media channels such as TikTok videos or WhatsApp communities. Whereas once reporters would telephone the office to dictate their stories, now they can create videos using their mobile phones and publish directly from the scene.
\nAnd it is more instant. Mobile computing means no more waiting for the presses to roll, as stories can be published instantly to a broader audience. For any journalist, immediacy is exciting.
\nWhat does the future hold? Printed newspapers are becoming a rarity. In 1996, there were approximately 1,600 newspapers in the UK, but this has dropped to around 880 this year. That\u2019s a massive reduction, and it is expected to go down even further in the years ahead. When WHSmith/TG Jones relegates news titles to the back of the store and other hidden corners, it seems the direction of travel is only going one way.
\nCould they stage a revival in the same way that vinyl and even cassette tapes have? Possibly. But it would require a concerted effort from all involved to point out that, as the old News of the World slogan went, all human life is here.
\nThe awarding of the honorary doctorate has been an opportunity to look back and reflect on a long career, one that has weathered changes that seemed unthinkable in the pre-Internet days. The industry has evolved over the past three decades and will continue to do so, but the need for quality local journalism has not changed \u2013 nor will it.
", "content_text": "\u00a0\nOur colleague Phil Creighton, former editor of reading Today and Wokingham Today and a journalist and editor in Reading for most of his career was last month awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Reading University in December for his contribution to journalism in our town. Here he reminisces about the changes local media has gone through over the past decades.\nWhat\u2019s black and white and read all over? A newspaper from 30 years ago.\nWhen I came to Reading for university back in 1996, the town was served by the Evening Post, the Chronicle, the Standard, and Midweek. Newspaper vendors would be telling us to read all about it at various points in the town centre, while the former printworks of one title had long been converted into a restaurant.\nStudents at the University of Reading were able to create their own newspaper, Spark, and it was here my career started.\nAdd in to that mix Blast, a community radio station run by Reading College, and cable TV company Telecential had its own station for the Thames Valley.\nQuite the mixed media.\nLast month, the University of Reading conferred an honorary doctorate on me for my journalistic career, which started with its student newspaper, Spark. Printed at the Evening Post, this became a calling card and, in the summer of 1997, I joined its ad setting department before moving to editorial on graduation. Since then, I\u2019ve worked for The Baptist Times, made regular appearances on BBC Radio Berkshire and Premier Radio and, when The Wokingham Times closed in 2014, launched The Wokingham Paper.\nFor communities to stick together, they need three glues: a strong local newspaper, good pubs, and great community hubs such as places of worship, clubs and village halls. The three go hand in hand, with newspapers acting as the mouthpiece for communities, able to ask the awkward questions, celebrate the good times, and walk alongside people during the bad.\nAnd there have been some bad times. During my stint in the world of local news, I\u2019ve seen \u2013 among others \u2013 the Paddington railway disaster, 9/11, the Forbury terrorist attacks, several major fires, and Ruth Perry\u2019s death following an Ofsted inspection. On each occasion, restrained and measured coverage has helped communities grieve while sharing accurate and impartial information.\nThat has been my guiding philosophy, and while I may have worked on different publications, my journey has spanned the immense changes the media industry has seen over the past three decades.\nBack in 1996, there were still some hot metal newspapers in existence: I visited one for dissertation research. These were typeset using individual lines of type cast from molten lead. The method dates back hundreds of years, is labour-intensive, and is less flexible than more modern methods that involve computers.\n\nThe Thames Valley has always been part of the UK\u2019s Silicon Valley, so it should be no surprise that when it launched, the Reading Evening Post was one of the most technically advanced newspapers in the country. It was able to print full colour at a time when most printing presses were black-and-white, and its print room technicians were among the best in the land. They were proud to show me the full-colour broadsheet page they produced for the 1969 moon landings. No computers or AI to do the heavy lifting \u2013 they had to prepare the colour plates by hand. Their work was spot-on, and many Reading households will have kept it as a souvenir of this historic occasion.\nWe forget just how much more a newspaper is than a physical product. The Evening Post was very much part of the fabric of Reading, employing several hundred people, printed on site and ensuring reporters attended events, while editors were on the board of many initiatives including Reading UK CIC (what is now REDA), the SeniorSafe campaign, launching the annual Pride of Reading awards, and sponsoring many events, including the annual sports awards.\nShops all over the town would have Evening Post branding and billboards, while the company\u2019s vans would be an ever-present sight on the roads. On Tuesdays, there were queues outside estate agents as househunters sought the latest listings from its property guide.\nWhile people say it was the Internet, still very much in its infancy back in 1996, that transformed the way we relate to local newspapers, it was actually access to home broadband that was the difference.\nBack in 1996, to surf the World Wide Web, you either used a modem that hogged the telephone line or fitted an ISDN line. It was NTL (now Virgin Media) that changed this, installing the first broadband line in a residential home at the turn of the 21st century. The speeds were slow \u2013 128Kbps was barely faster than dial-up, but it was enough to see the tide turn. In 1998, just 9% of UK households had access to the internet. Now, fewer than 1 in 20 homes are without a digital connection.\nOnline portals became the norm: why wait until Tuesday for the latest homes on sale when you can see them instantly on sites such as RightMove and Zoopla? And so began the upheavals that have ruptured local news as we know it.\nThe changes to the Reading Evening Post have been marked. Back in 2009, as part of a cost-cutting measure, it went twice weekly: Wednesdays for the Reading Post, while Friday\u2019s edition was named after the website, Get Reading. Another round of redundancies followed; The Wokingham Times office closed, and those left had to work harder just to stand still.\nUltimately, in 2014, a decision was made to go online-only, but without a printed presence, GetReading's influence diminished; it was now one voice among many, and several name and format changes diluted that voice further. It currently exists as a Facebook page that reprints syndicated copy relevant to Berkshire.\nWith a desire to focus on the largest possible online audience for each story, what had been traditional bread and butter for local news has been eschewed: jumble sales, Women\u2019s Institutes and Rotary Clubs, ribbon cuttings, and children\u2019s activities have all fallen by the wayside. The days of a local newspaper being the first draft of an area\u2019s social history are diminishing.\nAt the same time, the new ways of doing local news are exciting. The hyperlocal movement \u2013 independent publications \u2013 allows smaller organisations to excel in a niche. The cost of putting a website together is negligible compared to running a daily newspaper, and there are different ways to reach audiences; news doesn\u2019t have to be a website, it can be social media channels such as TikTok videos or WhatsApp communities. Whereas once reporters would telephone the office to dictate their stories, now they can create videos using their mobile phones and publish directly from the scene.\nAnd it is more instant. Mobile computing means no more waiting for the presses to roll, as stories can be published instantly to a broader audience. For any journalist, immediacy is exciting.\nWhat does the future hold? Printed newspapers are becoming a rarity. In 1996, there were approximately 1,600 newspapers in the UK, but this has dropped to around 880 this year. That\u2019s a massive reduction, and it is expected to go down even further in the years ahead. When WHSmith/TG Jones relegates news titles to the back of the store and other hidden corners, it seems the direction of travel is only going one way.\nCould they stage a revival in the same way that vinyl and even cassette tapes have? Possibly. But it would require a concerted effort from all involved to point out that, as the old News of the World slogan went, all human life is here.\nThe awarding of the honorary doctorate has been an opportunity to look back and reflect on a long career, one that has weathered changes that seemed unthinkable in the pre-Internet days. The industry has evolved over the past three decades and will continue to do so, but the need for quality local journalism has not changed \u2013 nor will it.", "summary": "Local journalism veteran Phil Creighton, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Reading, looks back on the dramatic changes in media over three decades and the vital role local news plays in community.", "date_published": "2026-01-01T18:42:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:33.247804+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/f05fe26e.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, UK", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/f05fe26e.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "inReading Journo Honoured", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1524, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\u00a0
\nOur colleague Phil Creighton, former editor of reading Today and Wokingham Today and a journalist and editor in Reading for most of his career was last month awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters by Reading University in December for his contribution to journalism in our town. Here he reminisces about the changes local media has gone through over the past decades.
\nWhat\u2019s black and white and read all over? A newspaper from 30 years ago.
\nWhen I came to Reading for university back in 1996, the town was served by the Evening Post, the Chronicle, the Standard, and Midweek. Newspaper vendors would be telling us to read all about it at various points in the town centre, while the former printworks of one title had long been converted into a restaurant.
\nStudents at the University of Reading were able to create their own newspaper, Spark, and it was here my career started.
\nAdd in to that mix Blast, a community radio station run by Reading College, and cable TV company Telecential had its own station for the Thames Valley.
\nQuite the mixed media.
\nLast month, the University of Reading conferred an honorary doctorate on me for my journalistic career, which started with its student newspaper, Spark. Printed at the Evening Post, this became a calling card and, in the summer of 1997, I joined its ad setting department before moving to editorial on graduation. Since then, I\u2019ve worked for The Baptist Times, made regular appearances on BBC Radio Berkshire and Premier Radio and, when The Wokingham Times closed in 2014, launched The Wokingham Paper.
\nFor communities to stick together, they need three glues: a strong local newspaper, good pubs, and great community hubs such as places of worship, clubs and village halls. The three go hand in hand, with newspapers acting as the mouthpiece for communities, able to ask the awkward questions, celebrate the good times, and walk alongside people during the bad.
\nAnd there have been some bad times. During my stint in the world of local news, I\u2019ve seen \u2013 among others \u2013 the Paddington railway disaster, 9/11, the Forbury terrorist attacks, several major fires, and Ruth Perry\u2019s death following an Ofsted inspection. On each occasion, restrained and measured coverage has helped communities grieve while sharing accurate and impartial information.
\nThat has been my guiding philosophy, and while I may have worked on different publications, my journey has spanned the immense changes the media industry has seen over the past three decades.
\nBack in 1996, there were still some hot metal newspapers in existence: I visited one for dissertation research. These were typeset using individual lines of type cast from molten lead. The method dates back hundreds of years, is labour-intensive, and is less flexible than more modern methods that involve computers.
\n
The Thames Valley has always been part of the UK\u2019s Silicon Valley, so it should be no surprise that when it launched, the Reading Evening Post was one of the most technically advanced newspapers in the country. It was able to print full colour at a time when most printing presses were black-and-white, and its print room technicians were among the best in the land. They were proud to show me the full-colour broadsheet page they produced for the 1969 moon landings. No computers or AI to do the heavy lifting \u2013 they had to prepare the colour plates by hand. Their work was spot-on, and many Reading households will have kept it as a souvenir of this historic occasion.
\nWe forget just how much more a newspaper is than a physical product. The Evening Post was very much part of the fabric of Reading, employing several hundred people, printed on site and ensuring reporters attended events, while editors were on the board of many initiatives including Reading UK CIC (what is now REDA), the SeniorSafe campaign, launching the annual Pride of Reading awards, and sponsoring many events, including the annual sports awards.
\nShops all over the town would have Evening Post branding and billboards, while the company\u2019s vans would be an ever-present sight on the roads. On Tuesdays, there were queues outside estate agents as househunters sought the latest listings from its property guide.
\nWhile people say it was the Internet, still very much in its infancy back in 1996, that transformed the way we relate to local newspapers, it was actually access to home broadband that was the difference.
\nBack in 1996, to surf the World Wide Web, you either used a modem that hogged the telephone line or fitted an ISDN line. It was NTL (now Virgin Media) that changed this, installing the first broadband line in a residential home at the turn of the 21st century. The speeds were slow \u2013 128Kbps was barely faster than dial-up, but it was enough to see the tide turn. In 1998, just 9% of UK households had access to the internet. Now, fewer than 1 in 20 homes are without a digital connection.
\nOnline portals became the norm: why wait until Tuesday for the latest homes on sale when you can see them instantly on sites such as RightMove and Zoopla? And so began the upheavals that have ruptured local news as we know it.
\nThe changes to the Reading Evening Post have been marked. Back in 2009, as part of a cost-cutting measure, it went twice weekly: Wednesdays for the Reading Post, while Friday\u2019s edition was named after the website, Get Reading. Another round of redundancies followed; The Wokingham Times office closed, and those left had to work harder just to stand still.
\nUltimately, in 2014, a decision was made to go online-only, but without a printed presence, GetReading's influence diminished; it was now one voice among many, and several name and format changes diluted that voice further. It currently exists as a Facebook page that reprints syndicated copy relevant to Berkshire.
\nWith a desire to focus on the largest possible online audience for each story, what had been traditional bread and butter for local news has been eschewed: jumble sales, Women\u2019s Institutes and Rotary Clubs, ribbon cuttings, and children\u2019s activities have all fallen by the wayside. The days of a local newspaper being the first draft of an area\u2019s social history are diminishing.
\nAt the same time, the new ways of doing local news are exciting. The hyperlocal movement \u2013 independent publications \u2013 allows smaller organisations to excel in a niche. The cost of putting a website together is negligible compared to running a daily newspaper, and there are different ways to reach audiences; news doesn\u2019t have to be a website, it can be social media channels such as TikTok videos or WhatsApp communities. Whereas once reporters would telephone the office to dictate their stories, now they can create videos using their mobile phones and publish directly from the scene.
\nAnd it is more instant. Mobile computing means no more waiting for the presses to roll, as stories can be published instantly to a broader audience. For any journalist, immediacy is exciting.
\nWhat does the future hold? Printed newspapers are becoming a rarity. In 1996, there were approximately 1,600 newspapers in the UK, but this has dropped to around 880 this year. That\u2019s a massive reduction, and it is expected to go down even further in the years ahead. When WHSmith/TG Jones relegates news titles to the back of the store and other hidden corners, it seems the direction of travel is only going one way.
\nCould they stage a revival in the same way that vinyl and even cassette tapes have? Possibly. But it would require a concerted effort from all involved to point out that, as the old News of the World slogan went, all human life is here.
\nThe awarding of the honorary doctorate has been an opportunity to look back and reflect on a long career, one that has weathered changes that seemed unthinkable in the pre-Internet days. The industry has evolved over the past three decades and will continue to do so, but the need for quality local journalism has not changed \u2013 nor will it.
", "description": "Local journalism veteran Phil Creighton, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Reading, looks back on the dramatic changes in media over three decades and the vital role local news plays in community.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:33.247804+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2026-01-01T18:42:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, UK", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/inreading-journo-honoured/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "330", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/christmas-is-coming/", "title": "Christmas Is Coming..", "content_html": "In the midst of it all is the opportunity to pause, take stock and enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy the sights around.
\nThe event runs from Saturday, 15 November through to Sunday, 4 January, and is wheelchair friendly. There are various sessions taking place across the season and should be booked in advance. Prices are \u00a311.95 off-peak and \u00a312.95 peak, or \u00a37.95 for under 16s off-peak and \u00a38.95 peak. Toddlers and babies aged two and under get in free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.illuminatereading.co.uk/
\nThe Christmas light switch-on
\nMore than 800,000 lights make up Reading\u2019s impressive festive displays, across Broad Street, Friar Street and Station Road. The uniquely Ding-themed lights were introduced last year and features images related to the history and culture of the town, including Huntley and Palmers and Henry I.
\nTo celebrate, a day of fun is planned from 2pm on Saturday, 15 November, centred around the area outside Marks & Spencer in Broad Street. The lights will be switched on from 5pm. While you\u2019re waiting it\u2019s an opportunity to explore the Broad Street Christmas market. Once again, wooden shacks will be set up offering gifts, customised items, and seasonal snacks including toasted marshmallows, bratwurst, waffles, cookies and some gluhwein.
\nFor more details, log on to visit-reading.com
\nFestive Markets
\nThe University of Reading is holding its annual Winter Festival event on Thursday, 27 November. Running from 5.30pm-8pm in the area around the Palmer Building on its Whiteknights Campus, there will be music, singing, food and drink, family fun and seasonal surprises. Entry is free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2025/November/Winter-Festival-2025
\nHead north of the river when Caversham shopkeepers are set to hold a special late-night shopping evening on Friday, 5 December.
\nThe annual event runs until 9pm and promises a lot more than just the stores staying open until later. There will be a visit from reindeer, live entertainment, performances from choirs, mulled wine and other seasonal refreshments, and a Christmas market with stallholders offering unique and specially created gifts.
\nAdd in Christmas lights and a special Reverse Santa event at Fourbears Books, and there is something all ages to enjoy.
\nFor more details, visit Visit Caversham\u2019s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Choosecaversham/
\nSimilar events take place in Twyford and Crowthorne on the same evening.
\nWoodley Town Centre will feature its annual Christmas Extravanganza on Sunday, 7 December. The busy event features stalls and games from local groups, performances from choirs and youth theatre troops, walking entertainments, street food, and a very busy Santa\u2019s grotto. It runs from 10am to 3pm. For more details, log on to: https://www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk/
\nChristmas Craft Markets
\nReading has a large community of crafters who create some of the most exquisite items that you won\u2019t find anywhere else. There will be several opportunities to purchase a unique gift.
\nSt Luke\u2019s Church Hall in Erleigh Road is hosting a two-day artists\u2019 fair called Hopes and Dreams.
\nIt\u2019s an opportunity to meet artists, support them by buying their work including Christmas cards, decorations and fairy houses. Refreshments including homemade cake will be available and digital artist Leslee Barron will be selling copies of her unique Reading calendar for 2026, and there will be a photography exhibition to enjoy.
\nIt is open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 15 November and noon-4pm on Sunday, 16 November. Entry is free.
\nMADEByTamalia Art Sanctuary is holding its event on Sunday, 16 November. Running between 10am and 3.30pm, there will be more than 40 creatives showcasing their gift ideas, a visit from Santa, children\u2019s activities and seasonal refreshments.
\nThis will be held at Creativ.Spaces Art Studio & Event Spaces, in Southview Business Park, off Marsack Street in Caversham. Entry is free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.facebook.com/MADEbyTamalia/
\nIn addition to the Broad Street Christmas market which runs until the big day, there will be a festive event at Reading Town Hall and Museum on Saturday, 22 November, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
\nThe free entry event is promised to be its biggest Christmas market yet. While exploring the stalls, it\u2019s an opportunity to visit The Pantry Caf\u00e9, which offers a range of snacks and meals.\u00a0\u00a0
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/reading-town-hall-christmas-market-2025
\nThe Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street holds regular markets that connect artists with the public. Its festive version will be held on Sunday, 6 December between 11am and 4pm. It\u2019s quite the attraction: handmade gifts and unique artworks are available to buy, while there are festive-themed activities for all ages to enjoy. Add in homemade snacks from its caf\u00e9 and mulled wine and it is a fun day for the family.
\nReading\u2019s art collective jelly, based in Broad St. Mall, is hosting its festive ArtShop on Sunday, 14 December between noon and 4pm.
\nThe free entry event gives people a chance to explore art, and buy prints, sculptures, paintings, needlework, and gifts created by Reading-based artists and designers, as well as finding more about how the pieces were created.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.jelly.org.uk/artshop2025
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/47a4a3378c50.jpg\")
Christmas Concerts and Carols
\nFor the ultimate feelgood Christmas carol events, people just need to head to Broad Street on most Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas \u2013 and several other days beside \u2013 as the Salvation Army Band will perform much-loved carols. They will also accept donations for their work.
\nChoirs will be performing festive concerts in the run-up to the big day.
\nReading housing charity Launchpad will be holding its annual carol event hosted by patron Matt Allwright on Tuesday, 2 December from 6pm. It takes place in Reading Town Hall, and features performances from Universal Voices and Tonyx Choir. For details, log on to: launchpadreading.org.uk
\nReading Minster Church in St Mary\u2019s Butts will be a popular spot for Christmas events as many groups like to use it for its acoustics and being central to the town centre.
\nThe NHS Christmas Concert will be held there on Friday, 5 December from 7pm, and is hosted by ITV Meridian\u2019s Sangeeta Bhabra. Choirs include Sing For Fun, Glee Choir and Avenue. Tickets cost \u00a310. For details, visit WhatsOnReading.com https://whatsonreading.com/venues/royal-berks-charity/whats-on/nhs-christmas-concert-reading-minster-0
\nThe following day, Saturday, 6 December, adoption charity PACT will hold a family-friendly event in the St Mary\u2019s Butts church. Starting with refreshments at 3pm, it will feature a mixture of seasonal songs, Christmas reflections and performances. Tickets cost \u00a33 for children, \u00a312 for adults. For more details, log on to: https://www.pactcharity.org/support-us/carols2025/
\nAlso on Saturday, 6 December, Concerts in Caversham presents its annual Christmas Concert by Candelight featuring its ensemble. Starting at 7.30pm, the popular event will feature seasonal music, carols and more. Tickets cost \u00a326, \u00a324 for over 60s, \u00a318 for ages 16-24, and free for under 16s. For more details, log on to: http://www.concertsincaversham.co.uk/
\nThe following day, Sunday, 7 December, Tamesis Chamber Choir perform Advent Into Christmas at Our Lady and St Anne\u2019s church in Caversham. The programme includes classical Christmas favourites, and some more modern favourites. It takes place from 4pm, and tickets cost \u00a314 or \u00a35 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://tamesischamberchoir.com/
\nParenthesis, which rehearses on Saturday mornings, will be holding a festive concert in conjunction with The Abbey School Choir featuring a mixture of seasonal tunes. It will take place on Sunday, 7 December, and full details have yet to be announced, for the latest, log on to: https://parenthesis.org.uk/
\nReading Festival Chorus is holding a Come and Sing Carols event at Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Monday, 8 December. For more details, log on to: http://www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk
\nThe Reading Lunchtime Choir will perform a concert from 1.15pm on Wednesday, 10 December. This will be held at Park United Reformed Church on Wokingham Road. For more details
\nReading Minster is the venue for The Christmas Orchestra, featuring music from Christmas films such as Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, Bridget Jones\u2019 Diary and Elf. The show is performed at 6pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 12 December and Saturday, 13 December. For more details, log on to: www.thechristmasorchestra.co.uk
\nReading Phoenix Choir presents its carol concert from 3pm on Saturday, 13 December at St Mary\u2019s Church in Castle Street, Reading. Tickets cost \u00a310, and under 16s get in free. Details: https://www.readingphoenixchoir.com/Carols25
\nStepping Into Christmas is the title for The Reading A440 Choir\u2019s seasonal concert, from 3.30pm on Saturday, 13 December. It will be held at Caversham Heights Methodist Church in Highmore Road and feature a special guest appearance from Kryla, a Ukranian women\u2019s choir. Tickets cost \u00a315, \u00a312 concessions, \u00a35 for children aged five or over. For more details, log on to: https://a440choir.org.uk/concerts/
\nTwyford Singers Christmas Concert is from 4pm on Saturday, 13 December. Taking place at St Mary\u2019s Church in Twyford, tickets cost \u00a315, or \u00a35 for under 18s. For details, visit: http://twyford-singers.org.uk
\nQueen Anne\u2019s School in Caversham will be the venue for the South Chiltern Choral Society\u2019s Christmas concert on Saturday, 13 December from 7pm. They will perform with The Hill Primary School. For details, log on to: https://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/
\nTrinity Concert Band will perform a Christmas concert from 4pm on Sunday, 14 December. Held at Reading Minster Church,
\nReading Bach Choir\u2019s annual Come and Sing carols event will be held at St Andrew\u2019s Church in Caversham on Tuesday, 16 December from 7.30pm. The event includes homemade treats to enjoy while joining in with the seasonal music. Tickets can be bought on the door and are \u00a35, under 18s get in free. For more details, log on to www.readingbachchoir.org.uk
\nVivace Voices will be giving its Christmas concert at St Mary\u2019s Church in Burghfield from 2.30pm on Wednesday, 17 December. It will raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association and is followed by a buffet tea. For details, log on to: https://www.vivacevoices.uk/
\nOn the weekend before Christmas, the Refugee Support Group will welcome the Reading Community Gospel Choir to perform songs from Handel\u2019s Messiah, at Reading Minster Church on Friday, 19 December from 7pm. Tickets cost \u00a312.50-\u00a315, or \u00a310 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://refugeesupportgroup.org.uk/
\nThe University of Reading\u2019s Great Hall is the venue for a screening of the Raymond Briggs classic film The Snowman. The animation will feature music performed by the English Pro Musica Orchestra. They will also present some seasonal festive music and invite audiences to join in. It takes place from 2.30pm on Saturday, 20 December. For more details, log on to: https://www.jenmatproductions.co.uk
\nLater that day, the Reading Male Voice Choir will team up with Occasions Singers for a Christmas concert in Reading Minster Church. Starting at 5pm, tickets are \u00a37.50. For details, log on to: https://rmvc.net/Concert-Minster-Christmas/
\nThames Voyces Christmas Concert will be held at St John\u2019s Church in Waterloo Road, Crowthorne from 4pm on Saturday, 20 December. Seasonal music, readings and refreshments are all on offer. For more details, log on to: https://www.thamesvoyces.org.uk/
\nPantomime and Festive Plays
\nThe Shinfield Players will present an adaptation of It\u2019s A Wonderful Life between November 19-22. Set in New York, 1945, the play focuses on George Bailey, a banker who feels that life has passed him by. Can a guardian angel give him a fresh perspective on the world around him? For more details, log on to https://www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk/
\nReading Rep Theatre on Kings Road has given Charles Dickens\u2019 famous festive tale a Reading twist: this is A Christmas Carol set among the familiar backdrop of Huntley & Palmers. The show runs from November 28, through to January 3.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingrep.com/
\nThe Hexagon\u2019s festive pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast. Once again starring CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse as the dame, the show also features the new digital sets introduced last year.
\nPerformances run from Saturday, 6 December through to Sunday, 4 January, and audiences can expect slapstick comedy, audience interaction, stunning songs, and plenty of magical surprises.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/beautyandthebeast
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/81d8738361fc.jpg\")
And don\u2019t forget Reading\u2019s Toy Run
\nOn Sunday, 7 December, for the 39th time bikes from across the country will don fancy dress, decorate their bikes and head to Shinfield to take part in the annual Reading Toy Run.
\nIt\u2019s free to take part, but everyone who takes part is asked to bring a new toy to donate to Barnardo\u2019s, which will then be distributed to children ahead of Christmas Day.
\nThe bikers can meet at Thames Valley Science Park near Shinfield Studios from 11am, ready to leave from 1pm. They then head along the Lower Earley Way towards the Showcase Roundabout, up Reading Road in Winnersh and then on to High Close School in Wokingham.
\nThe procession is always fun to watch, and crowds line the streets to cheer the bikers on.
\nFor more details, log on to www.readingtoyrun.org.
", "content_text": "In the midst of it all is the opportunity to pause, take stock and enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy the sights around.\nThe event runs from Saturday, 15 November through to Sunday, 4 January, and is wheelchair friendly. There are various sessions taking place across the season and should be booked in advance. Prices are \u00a311.95 off-peak and \u00a312.95 peak, or \u00a37.95 for under 16s off-peak and \u00a38.95 peak. Toddlers and babies aged two and under get in free.\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.illuminatereading.co.uk/\nThe Christmas light switch-on\nMore than 800,000 lights make up Reading\u2019s impressive festive displays, across Broad Street, Friar Street and Station Road. The uniquely Ding-themed lights were introduced last year and features images related to the history and culture of the town, including Huntley and Palmers and Henry I.\nTo celebrate, a day of fun is planned from 2pm on Saturday, 15 November, centred around the area outside Marks & Spencer in Broad Street. The lights will be switched on from 5pm. While you\u2019re waiting it\u2019s an opportunity to explore the Broad Street Christmas market. Once again, wooden shacks will be set up offering gifts, customised items, and seasonal snacks including toasted marshmallows, bratwurst, waffles, cookies and some gluhwein.\nFor more details, log on to visit-reading.com\nFestive Markets\nThe University of Reading is holding its annual Winter Festival event on Thursday, 27 November. Running from 5.30pm-8pm in the area around the Palmer Building on its Whiteknights Campus, there will be music, singing, food and drink, family fun and seasonal surprises. Entry is free.\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2025/November/Winter-Festival-2025\nHead north of the river when Caversham shopkeepers are set to hold a special late-night shopping evening on Friday, 5 December.\nThe annual event runs until 9pm and promises a lot more than just the stores staying open until later. There will be a visit from reindeer, live entertainment, performances from choirs, mulled wine and other seasonal refreshments, and a Christmas market with stallholders offering unique and specially created gifts.\nAdd in Christmas lights and a special Reverse Santa event at Fourbears Books, and there is something all ages to enjoy.\nFor more details, visit Visit Caversham\u2019s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Choosecaversham/\nSimilar events take place in Twyford and Crowthorne on the same evening.\nWoodley Town Centre will feature its annual Christmas Extravanganza on Sunday, 7 December. The busy event features stalls and games from local groups, performances from choirs and youth theatre troops, walking entertainments, street food, and a very busy Santa\u2019s grotto. It runs from 10am to 3pm. For more details, log on to: https://www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk/\nChristmas Craft Markets\nReading has a large community of crafters who create some of the most exquisite items that you won\u2019t find anywhere else. There will be several opportunities to purchase a unique gift.\nSt Luke\u2019s Church Hall in Erleigh Road is hosting a two-day artists\u2019 fair called Hopes and Dreams.\nIt\u2019s an opportunity to meet artists, support them by buying their work including Christmas cards, decorations and fairy houses. Refreshments including homemade cake will be available and digital artist Leslee Barron will be selling copies of her unique Reading calendar for 2026, and there will be a photography exhibition to enjoy.\nIt is open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 15 November and noon-4pm on Sunday, 16 November. Entry is free.\nMADEByTamalia Art Sanctuary is holding its event on Sunday, 16 November. Running between 10am and 3.30pm, there will be more than 40 creatives showcasing their gift ideas, a visit from Santa, children\u2019s activities and seasonal refreshments.\nThis will be held at Creativ.Spaces Art Studio & Event Spaces, in Southview Business Park, off Marsack Street in Caversham. Entry is free.\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.facebook.com/MADEbyTamalia/\nIn addition to the Broad Street Christmas market which runs until the big day, there will be a festive event at Reading Town Hall and Museum on Saturday, 22 November, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.\nThe free entry event is promised to be its biggest Christmas market yet. While exploring the stalls, it\u2019s an opportunity to visit The Pantry Caf\u00e9, which offers a range of snacks and meals.\u00a0\u00a0 \nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/reading-town-hall-christmas-market-2025\nThe Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street holds regular markets that connect artists with the public. Its festive version will be held on Sunday, 6 December between 11am and 4pm. It\u2019s quite the attraction: handmade gifts and unique artworks are available to buy, while there are festive-themed activities for all ages to enjoy. Add in homemade snacks from its caf\u00e9 and mulled wine and it is a fun day for the family.\nReading\u2019s art collective jelly, based in Broad St. Mall, is hosting its festive ArtShop on Sunday, 14 December between noon and 4pm.\nThe free entry event gives people a chance to explore art, and buy prints, sculptures, paintings, needlework, and gifts created by Reading-based artists and designers, as well as finding more about how the pieces were created.\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.jelly.org.uk/artshop2025\n\u00a0\n\nChristmas Concerts and Carols \nFor the ultimate feelgood Christmas carol events, people just need to head to Broad Street on most Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas \u2013 and several other days beside \u2013 as the Salvation Army Band will perform much-loved carols. They will also accept donations for their work.\nChoirs will be performing festive concerts in the run-up to the big day.\nReading housing charity Launchpad will be holding its annual carol event hosted by patron Matt Allwright on Tuesday, 2 December from 6pm. It takes place in Reading Town Hall, and features performances from Universal Voices and Tonyx Choir. For details, log on to: launchpadreading.org.uk\nReading Minster Church in St Mary\u2019s Butts will be a popular spot for Christmas events as many groups like to use it for its acoustics and being central to the town centre.\nThe NHS Christmas Concert will be held there on Friday, 5 December from 7pm, and is hosted by ITV Meridian\u2019s Sangeeta Bhabra. Choirs include Sing For Fun, Glee Choir and Avenue. Tickets cost \u00a310. For details, visit WhatsOnReading.com https://whatsonreading.com/venues/royal-berks-charity/whats-on/nhs-christmas-concert-reading-minster-0\nThe following day, Saturday, 6 December, adoption charity PACT will hold a family-friendly event in the St Mary\u2019s Butts church. Starting with refreshments at 3pm, it will feature a mixture of seasonal songs, Christmas reflections and performances. Tickets cost \u00a33 for children, \u00a312 for adults. For more details, log on to: https://www.pactcharity.org/support-us/carols2025/\nAlso on Saturday, 6 December, Concerts in Caversham presents its annual Christmas Concert by Candelight featuring its ensemble. Starting at 7.30pm, the popular event will feature seasonal music, carols and more. Tickets cost \u00a326, \u00a324 for over 60s, \u00a318 for ages 16-24, and free for under 16s. For more details, log on to: http://www.concertsincaversham.co.uk/\nThe following day, Sunday, 7 December, Tamesis Chamber Choir perform Advent Into Christmas at Our Lady and St Anne\u2019s church in Caversham. The programme includes classical Christmas favourites, and some more modern favourites. It takes place from 4pm, and tickets cost \u00a314 or \u00a35 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://tamesischamberchoir.com/\nParenthesis, which rehearses on Saturday mornings, will be holding a festive concert in conjunction with The Abbey School Choir featuring a mixture of seasonal tunes. It will take place on Sunday, 7 December, and full details have yet to be announced, for the latest, log on to: https://parenthesis.org.uk/\nReading Festival Chorus is holding a Come and Sing Carols event at Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Monday, 8 December. For more details, log on to: http://www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk\nThe Reading Lunchtime Choir will perform a concert from 1.15pm on Wednesday, 10 December. This will be held at Park United Reformed Church on Wokingham Road. For more details\nReading Minster is the venue for The Christmas Orchestra, featuring music from Christmas films such as Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, Bridget Jones\u2019 Diary and Elf. The show is performed at 6pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 12 December and Saturday, 13 December. For more details, log on to: www.thechristmasorchestra.co.uk\nReading Phoenix Choir presents its carol concert from 3pm on Saturday, 13 December at St Mary\u2019s Church in Castle Street, Reading. Tickets cost \u00a310, and under 16s get in free. Details: https://www.readingphoenixchoir.com/Carols25\nStepping Into Christmas is the title for The Reading A440 Choir\u2019s seasonal concert, from 3.30pm on Saturday, 13 December. It will be held at Caversham Heights Methodist Church in Highmore Road and feature a special guest appearance from Kryla, a Ukranian women\u2019s choir. Tickets cost \u00a315, \u00a312 concessions, \u00a35 for children aged five or over. For more details, log on to: https://a440choir.org.uk/concerts/\nTwyford Singers Christmas Concert is from 4pm on Saturday, 13 December. Taking place at St Mary\u2019s Church in Twyford, tickets cost \u00a315, or \u00a35 for under 18s. For details, visit: http://twyford-singers.org.uk\nQueen Anne\u2019s School in Caversham will be the venue for the South Chiltern Choral Society\u2019s Christmas concert on Saturday, 13 December from 7pm. They will perform with The Hill Primary School. For details, log on to: https://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/\nTrinity Concert Band will perform a Christmas concert from 4pm on Sunday, 14 December. Held at Reading Minster Church,\nReading Bach Choir\u2019s annual Come and Sing carols event will be held at St Andrew\u2019s Church in Caversham on Tuesday, 16 December from 7.30pm. The event includes homemade treats to enjoy while joining in with the seasonal music. Tickets can be bought on the door and are \u00a35, under 18s get in free. For more details, log on to www.readingbachchoir.org.uk\nVivace Voices will be giving its Christmas concert at St Mary\u2019s Church in Burghfield from 2.30pm on Wednesday, 17 December. It will raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association and is followed by a buffet tea. For details, log on to: https://www.vivacevoices.uk/\nOn the weekend before Christmas, the Refugee Support Group will welcome the Reading Community Gospel Choir to perform songs from Handel\u2019s Messiah, at Reading Minster Church on Friday, 19 December from 7pm. Tickets cost \u00a312.50-\u00a315, or \u00a310 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://refugeesupportgroup.org.uk/\nThe University of Reading\u2019s Great Hall is the venue for a screening of the Raymond Briggs classic film The Snowman. The animation will feature music performed by the English Pro Musica Orchestra. They will also present some seasonal festive music and invite audiences to join in. It takes place from 2.30pm on Saturday, 20 December. For more details, log on to: https://www.jenmatproductions.co.uk\nLater that day, the Reading Male Voice Choir will team up with Occasions Singers for a Christmas concert in Reading Minster Church. Starting at 5pm, tickets are \u00a37.50. For details, log on to: https://rmvc.net/Concert-Minster-Christmas/\nThames Voyces Christmas Concert will be held at St John\u2019s Church in Waterloo Road, Crowthorne from 4pm on Saturday, 20 December. Seasonal music, readings and refreshments are all on offer. For more details, log on to: https://www.thamesvoyces.org.uk/\nPantomime and Festive Plays\nThe Shinfield Players will present an adaptation of It\u2019s A Wonderful Life between November 19-22. Set in New York, 1945, the play focuses on George Bailey, a banker who feels that life has passed him by. Can a guardian angel give him a fresh perspective on the world around him? For more details, log on to https://www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk/\nReading Rep Theatre on Kings Road has given Charles Dickens\u2019 famous festive tale a Reading twist: this is A Christmas Carol set among the familiar backdrop of Huntley & Palmers. The show runs from November 28, through to January 3.\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingrep.com/\nThe Hexagon\u2019s festive pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast. Once again starring CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse as the dame, the show also features the new digital sets introduced last year.\nPerformances run from Saturday, 6 December through to Sunday, 4 January, and audiences can expect slapstick comedy, audience interaction, stunning songs, and plenty of magical surprises.\nFor more details, log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/beautyandthebeast\n\nAnd don\u2019t forget Reading\u2019s Toy Run\nOn Sunday, 7 December, for the 39th time bikes from across the country will don fancy dress, decorate their bikes and head to Shinfield to take part in the annual Reading Toy Run.\nIt\u2019s free to take part, but everyone who takes part is asked to bring a new toy to donate to Barnardo\u2019s, which will then be distributed to children ahead of Christmas Day.\nThe bikers can meet at Thames Valley Science Park near Shinfield Studios from 11am, ready to leave from 1pm. They then head along the Lower Earley Way towards the Showcase Roundabout, up Reading Road in Winnersh and then on to High Close School in Wokingham.\nThe procession is always fun to watch, and crowds line the streets to cheer the bikers on.\nFor more details, log on to www.readingtoyrun.org.", "summary": "Discover Reading's magical Christmas events, from the spectacular light switch-on with unique local-themed displays to charming festive markets and craft fairs. Find mulled wine, gifts, and family fun across the town.", "date_published": "2025-12-01T19:22:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:34.898709+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/7615269d.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/7615269d.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Christmas Is Coming..", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 2578, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "In the midst of it all is the opportunity to pause, take stock and enjoy mulled wine or hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and enjoy the sights around.
\nThe event runs from Saturday, 15 November through to Sunday, 4 January, and is wheelchair friendly. There are various sessions taking place across the season and should be booked in advance. Prices are \u00a311.95 off-peak and \u00a312.95 peak, or \u00a37.95 for under 16s off-peak and \u00a38.95 peak. Toddlers and babies aged two and under get in free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.illuminatereading.co.uk/
\nThe Christmas light switch-on
\nMore than 800,000 lights make up Reading\u2019s impressive festive displays, across Broad Street, Friar Street and Station Road. The uniquely Ding-themed lights were introduced last year and features images related to the history and culture of the town, including Huntley and Palmers and Henry I.
\nTo celebrate, a day of fun is planned from 2pm on Saturday, 15 November, centred around the area outside Marks & Spencer in Broad Street. The lights will be switched on from 5pm. While you\u2019re waiting it\u2019s an opportunity to explore the Broad Street Christmas market. Once again, wooden shacks will be set up offering gifts, customised items, and seasonal snacks including toasted marshmallows, bratwurst, waffles, cookies and some gluhwein.
\nFor more details, log on to visit-reading.com
\nFestive Markets
\nThe University of Reading is holding its annual Winter Festival event on Thursday, 27 November. Running from 5.30pm-8pm in the area around the Palmer Building on its Whiteknights Campus, there will be music, singing, food and drink, family fun and seasonal surprises. Entry is free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.reading.ac.uk/events/Feed/2025/November/Winter-Festival-2025
\nHead north of the river when Caversham shopkeepers are set to hold a special late-night shopping evening on Friday, 5 December.
\nThe annual event runs until 9pm and promises a lot more than just the stores staying open until later. There will be a visit from reindeer, live entertainment, performances from choirs, mulled wine and other seasonal refreshments, and a Christmas market with stallholders offering unique and specially created gifts.
\nAdd in Christmas lights and a special Reverse Santa event at Fourbears Books, and there is something all ages to enjoy.
\nFor more details, visit Visit Caversham\u2019s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Choosecaversham/
\nSimilar events take place in Twyford and Crowthorne on the same evening.
\nWoodley Town Centre will feature its annual Christmas Extravanganza on Sunday, 7 December. The busy event features stalls and games from local groups, performances from choirs and youth theatre troops, walking entertainments, street food, and a very busy Santa\u2019s grotto. It runs from 10am to 3pm. For more details, log on to: https://www.woodleytowncentre.co.uk/
\nChristmas Craft Markets
\nReading has a large community of crafters who create some of the most exquisite items that you won\u2019t find anywhere else. There will be several opportunities to purchase a unique gift.
\nSt Luke\u2019s Church Hall in Erleigh Road is hosting a two-day artists\u2019 fair called Hopes and Dreams.
\nIt\u2019s an opportunity to meet artists, support them by buying their work including Christmas cards, decorations and fairy houses. Refreshments including homemade cake will be available and digital artist Leslee Barron will be selling copies of her unique Reading calendar for 2026, and there will be a photography exhibition to enjoy.
\nIt is open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 15 November and noon-4pm on Sunday, 16 November. Entry is free.
\nMADEByTamalia Art Sanctuary is holding its event on Sunday, 16 November. Running between 10am and 3.30pm, there will be more than 40 creatives showcasing their gift ideas, a visit from Santa, children\u2019s activities and seasonal refreshments.
\nThis will be held at Creativ.Spaces Art Studio & Event Spaces, in Southview Business Park, off Marsack Street in Caversham. Entry is free.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.facebook.com/MADEbyTamalia/
\nIn addition to the Broad Street Christmas market which runs until the big day, there will be a festive event at Reading Town Hall and Museum on Saturday, 22 November, between 10.30am and 4.30pm.
\nThe free entry event is promised to be its biggest Christmas market yet. While exploring the stalls, it\u2019s an opportunity to visit The Pantry Caf\u00e9, which offers a range of snacks and meals.\u00a0\u00a0
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/reading-town-hall-christmas-market-2025
\nThe Rising Sun Arts Centre in Silver Street holds regular markets that connect artists with the public. Its festive version will be held on Sunday, 6 December between 11am and 4pm. It\u2019s quite the attraction: handmade gifts and unique artworks are available to buy, while there are festive-themed activities for all ages to enjoy. Add in homemade snacks from its caf\u00e9 and mulled wine and it is a fun day for the family.
\nReading\u2019s art collective jelly, based in Broad St. Mall, is hosting its festive ArtShop on Sunday, 14 December between noon and 4pm.
\nThe free entry event gives people a chance to explore art, and buy prints, sculptures, paintings, needlework, and gifts created by Reading-based artists and designers, as well as finding more about how the pieces were created.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.jelly.org.uk/artshop2025
\n\u00a0
\n
Christmas Concerts and Carols
\nFor the ultimate feelgood Christmas carol events, people just need to head to Broad Street on most Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas \u2013 and several other days beside \u2013 as the Salvation Army Band will perform much-loved carols. They will also accept donations for their work.
\nChoirs will be performing festive concerts in the run-up to the big day.
\nReading housing charity Launchpad will be holding its annual carol event hosted by patron Matt Allwright on Tuesday, 2 December from 6pm. It takes place in Reading Town Hall, and features performances from Universal Voices and Tonyx Choir. For details, log on to: launchpadreading.org.uk
\nReading Minster Church in St Mary\u2019s Butts will be a popular spot for Christmas events as many groups like to use it for its acoustics and being central to the town centre.
\nThe NHS Christmas Concert will be held there on Friday, 5 December from 7pm, and is hosted by ITV Meridian\u2019s Sangeeta Bhabra. Choirs include Sing For Fun, Glee Choir and Avenue. Tickets cost \u00a310. For details, visit WhatsOnReading.com https://whatsonreading.com/venues/royal-berks-charity/whats-on/nhs-christmas-concert-reading-minster-0
\nThe following day, Saturday, 6 December, adoption charity PACT will hold a family-friendly event in the St Mary\u2019s Butts church. Starting with refreshments at 3pm, it will feature a mixture of seasonal songs, Christmas reflections and performances. Tickets cost \u00a33 for children, \u00a312 for adults. For more details, log on to: https://www.pactcharity.org/support-us/carols2025/
\nAlso on Saturday, 6 December, Concerts in Caversham presents its annual Christmas Concert by Candelight featuring its ensemble. Starting at 7.30pm, the popular event will feature seasonal music, carols and more. Tickets cost \u00a326, \u00a324 for over 60s, \u00a318 for ages 16-24, and free for under 16s. For more details, log on to: http://www.concertsincaversham.co.uk/
\nThe following day, Sunday, 7 December, Tamesis Chamber Choir perform Advent Into Christmas at Our Lady and St Anne\u2019s church in Caversham. The programme includes classical Christmas favourites, and some more modern favourites. It takes place from 4pm, and tickets cost \u00a314 or \u00a35 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://tamesischamberchoir.com/
\nParenthesis, which rehearses on Saturday mornings, will be holding a festive concert in conjunction with The Abbey School Choir featuring a mixture of seasonal tunes. It will take place on Sunday, 7 December, and full details have yet to be announced, for the latest, log on to: https://parenthesis.org.uk/
\nReading Festival Chorus is holding a Come and Sing Carols event at Wesley Methodist Church Hall on Monday, 8 December. For more details, log on to: http://www.readingfestivalchorus.org.uk
\nThe Reading Lunchtime Choir will perform a concert from 1.15pm on Wednesday, 10 December. This will be held at Park United Reformed Church on Wokingham Road. For more details
\nReading Minster is the venue for The Christmas Orchestra, featuring music from Christmas films such as Home Alone, the Muppets Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, Bridget Jones\u2019 Diary and Elf. The show is performed at 6pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 12 December and Saturday, 13 December. For more details, log on to: www.thechristmasorchestra.co.uk
\nReading Phoenix Choir presents its carol concert from 3pm on Saturday, 13 December at St Mary\u2019s Church in Castle Street, Reading. Tickets cost \u00a310, and under 16s get in free. Details: https://www.readingphoenixchoir.com/Carols25
\nStepping Into Christmas is the title for The Reading A440 Choir\u2019s seasonal concert, from 3.30pm on Saturday, 13 December. It will be held at Caversham Heights Methodist Church in Highmore Road and feature a special guest appearance from Kryla, a Ukranian women\u2019s choir. Tickets cost \u00a315, \u00a312 concessions, \u00a35 for children aged five or over. For more details, log on to: https://a440choir.org.uk/concerts/
\nTwyford Singers Christmas Concert is from 4pm on Saturday, 13 December. Taking place at St Mary\u2019s Church in Twyford, tickets cost \u00a315, or \u00a35 for under 18s. For details, visit: http://twyford-singers.org.uk
\nQueen Anne\u2019s School in Caversham will be the venue for the South Chiltern Choral Society\u2019s Christmas concert on Saturday, 13 December from 7pm. They will perform with The Hill Primary School. For details, log on to: https://www.southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/
\nTrinity Concert Band will perform a Christmas concert from 4pm on Sunday, 14 December. Held at Reading Minster Church,
\nReading Bach Choir\u2019s annual Come and Sing carols event will be held at St Andrew\u2019s Church in Caversham on Tuesday, 16 December from 7.30pm. The event includes homemade treats to enjoy while joining in with the seasonal music. Tickets can be bought on the door and are \u00a35, under 18s get in free. For more details, log on to www.readingbachchoir.org.uk
\nVivace Voices will be giving its Christmas concert at St Mary\u2019s Church in Burghfield from 2.30pm on Wednesday, 17 December. It will raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association and is followed by a buffet tea. For details, log on to: https://www.vivacevoices.uk/
\nOn the weekend before Christmas, the Refugee Support Group will welcome the Reading Community Gospel Choir to perform songs from Handel\u2019s Messiah, at Reading Minster Church on Friday, 19 December from 7pm. Tickets cost \u00a312.50-\u00a315, or \u00a310 for concessions. For details, log on to: https://refugeesupportgroup.org.uk/
\nThe University of Reading\u2019s Great Hall is the venue for a screening of the Raymond Briggs classic film The Snowman. The animation will feature music performed by the English Pro Musica Orchestra. They will also present some seasonal festive music and invite audiences to join in. It takes place from 2.30pm on Saturday, 20 December. For more details, log on to: https://www.jenmatproductions.co.uk
\nLater that day, the Reading Male Voice Choir will team up with Occasions Singers for a Christmas concert in Reading Minster Church. Starting at 5pm, tickets are \u00a37.50. For details, log on to: https://rmvc.net/Concert-Minster-Christmas/
\nThames Voyces Christmas Concert will be held at St John\u2019s Church in Waterloo Road, Crowthorne from 4pm on Saturday, 20 December. Seasonal music, readings and refreshments are all on offer. For more details, log on to: https://www.thamesvoyces.org.uk/
\nPantomime and Festive Plays
\nThe Shinfield Players will present an adaptation of It\u2019s A Wonderful Life between November 19-22. Set in New York, 1945, the play focuses on George Bailey, a banker who feels that life has passed him by. Can a guardian angel give him a fresh perspective on the world around him? For more details, log on to https://www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk/
\nReading Rep Theatre on Kings Road has given Charles Dickens\u2019 famous festive tale a Reading twist: this is A Christmas Carol set among the familiar backdrop of Huntley & Palmers. The show runs from November 28, through to January 3.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://www.readingrep.com/
\nThe Hexagon\u2019s festive pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast. Once again starring CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse as the dame, the show also features the new digital sets introduced last year.
\nPerformances run from Saturday, 6 December through to Sunday, 4 January, and audiences can expect slapstick comedy, audience interaction, stunning songs, and plenty of magical surprises.
\nFor more details, log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/beautyandthebeast
\n
And don\u2019t forget Reading\u2019s Toy Run
\nOn Sunday, 7 December, for the 39th time bikes from across the country will don fancy dress, decorate their bikes and head to Shinfield to take part in the annual Reading Toy Run.
\nIt\u2019s free to take part, but everyone who takes part is asked to bring a new toy to donate to Barnardo\u2019s, which will then be distributed to children ahead of Christmas Day.
\nThe bikers can meet at Thames Valley Science Park near Shinfield Studios from 11am, ready to leave from 1pm. They then head along the Lower Earley Way towards the Showcase Roundabout, up Reading Road in Winnersh and then on to High Close School in Wokingham.
\nThe procession is always fun to watch, and crowds line the streets to cheer the bikers on.
\nFor more details, log on to www.readingtoyrun.org.
", "description": "Discover Reading's magical Christmas events, from the spectacular light switch-on with unique local-themed displays to charming festive markets and craft fairs. Find mulled wine, gifts, and family fun across the town.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:34.898709+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2025-12-01T19:22:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/christmas-is-coming/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "331", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-take-your-time/", "title": "Eating Out - Take Your Time", "content_html": "Rarely do you read about new openings on these pages. I think it's unfair to established businesses and also unfair to the just opened businesses who are still finding their feet. On the other hand, they do need the publicity, especially if they occupy a site with practically no passing footfall on the upper floor of what is variously called 'The Village' or King's Walk.
\nBut the long eclectic menu from Asian fusion newcomer \u00a0 Take Your Time was something I could not resist.\u00a0
\nThe name, the menu and even the location amongst a lot of pretty good largely Oriental restaurants in this most tucked away of locations made me curious.
\nWhen Jollibees opened offering spaghetti and burgers I realised that the old borders count no more. You can get burgers in Carluccio's and Thai curry in most pubs.
\nAnd remember the 'English dishes' part of Chinese restaurant menus from the 1980s? After all Cosmos has been offering something for everyone for decades.
\nThe very attractive menus are long, and I cannot resist but print them here for you in full.\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/724c555d6a19.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/6d1020ddca36.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/09437864639a.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/a24ebb95f6b1.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/be448cd4092a.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/b1c02e83cdcf.jpg\")
So here's the question - can a kitchen that can throw out a wide range of ecclectic\u00a0 Oriental dish also do decent gastro pub mains, fusion burgers, risotto and pasta ?\u00a0\u00a0
\nI have only ever been on one cruise and the menu was a bit reminiscent if that, but the best food on that holiday was the southern Indian vegetarian dishes - guess where most of the chefs were from ?
\nMost dishes have a fusion element. Many of the burgers use 'pinapple bread' - a Hong Kong speciality that is like a brioche bap. The name comes not from the ingredients\u00a0 (it contains no pineapple or any other fruit) but from its look, which is similar to tiger bread.
\nThe menu did make me think of what an accident in the international ready dishes sector of\u00a0 M&S might end up as. .\u00a0
\nSo, Take Your Time had to be tried in my bi-monthly meeting with fellow inReading hack Phil Creighton, who has long covered the visicitudes of eating out in our town.
\nThe room has been nicely done up with a mix of high tables, dining tables and comfy chairs with coffee tables giving it more the feel of a bar than a restaurant.
\nThe location has a great terrace and I suspect this will be a good place to eat in summer. A couple of months after opening on a Thursday lunchtime it was around a quarter full with everyone seemingly from our ever growing Hong Kong population\u00a0
\nI was early and welcomed enthusiastically by the young man and woman serving (I suspect that they may have been a couple and the owners).
\nWhen Phil arrived we set about tackling that menu. Eating any representative segment of the dishes in offer over a two person lunch was impossible.
\nI was tempted to go to my standard measure of any oriental restaurant, that ubiquitous dish that is Singapore Noodle where YY Restaurant recently took the crown off Good Old Days for the best version in town.
\nBut I decided to be a tad more adventurous and ordered the Hunanese chicken lakhsa (in other words. Southern Chinese chicken with Malaysia's national soup.)
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/5584f0d905e7.jpg\")
I was warned when ordering that it was 'very hot' but it really wasn't - the chilli oil nicely balanced the coconut brothbwhich is traditionally made of Laksa paste that contains dried chillies, shallots, garlic, galangal or ginger, lemongrass, candle nuts or peanuts, shrimp paste (belacan), turmeric, coriander and cumin seeds (or you can buy it all in a pot ready made!), along with chicken or prawn stock and a touch of sugar and fish sauce. It came with thick udon style noodles, lovely Hunan chicken, some overcooked besnsprouts, spring onion and puffed rice cake that soaks up the lovely sauce.\u00a0
\nThe balance of broth against chilli oil wasn't perfect - the coconut stick could have had a bit more taste and maybe a bit less oil. It also could have done with some crunch and freshness - often raw besnsprouts, coriander, fresh limes, crushed peanuts and even cucumber are served for this purpose. It also lacked the ever present boiled or fried egg that seems to be de facto in many Malaysian meals. But at \u00a315 it was a massive bowl of food and I managed to eat just over half of it
\nPhil decided on the Pork Loin Cutlet Baked Fried Rice. Apparently this is a Hong Kong standard - a comforting fusion dish made of rice, tomatoes and pineapple baked with mozzarella on top. Yes, it really does sound like that dish you made when you got back from the pub after an all sayer, using up everything you had in the fridge and cupboard.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/98702168308b.jpg\")
Here is came with a chunky breaded pork loin steak. Phil loved it and cleared the dish, reluctantly giving me a spoonful of rice and a chunk of pork. I could see why he was reluctant to give it away - tasty, fillingband comforting on a late autumn day.
\nI could not resist ordering some of the pineapple bun (\u83e0\u863f\u5305, bolo bao) as a side.
\nAs I mentioned, despite the name, this doesn\u2019t actually contain pineapple as the waitress reminded me.
\nIt\u2019s a soft, fluffy Hong Kong\u2013style milk bread roll with a crunchy, sugary top and came with a large wedge of milky non salted butter - sometimes it's also filled with custard, or red bean paste. At TST it is used as a burger roll and I must come back to taste the chat siu 'burger'.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/2a9dcd23f8fb.jpg\")
Our dishes were large and we really didn't need it, but it has whetted my appetite for a fusion burger on a future visit.
\nPhil was already telling our lovely waitress that he was coming back with his wife as soon as he could.
\nThere is a very short but reasonably priced wine list and a good range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including some Hong Kong specialities.
\nWe never got as far as the dessert menu!
\nThis is a great, eclectic addition to eating out in Reading that totally assuaged my preconceptions. The next time you're with someone who doesn't share your taste in food, TYT may be your perfect solution.
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "Rarely do you read about new openings on these pages. I think it's unfair to established businesses and also unfair to the just opened businesses who are still finding their feet. On the other hand, they do need the publicity, especially if they occupy a site with practically no passing footfall on the upper floor of what is variously called 'The Village' or King's Walk.\nBut the long eclectic menu from Asian fusion newcomer \u00a0 Take Your Time was something I could not resist.\u00a0\nThe name, the menu and even the location amongst a lot of pretty good largely Oriental restaurants in this most tucked away of locations made me curious.\nWhen Jollibees opened offering spaghetti and burgers I realised that the old borders count no more. You can get burgers in Carluccio's and Thai curry in most pubs.\nAnd remember the 'English dishes' part of Chinese restaurant menus from the 1980s? After all Cosmos has been offering something for everyone for decades.\nThe very attractive menus are long, and I cannot resist but print them here for you in full.\u00a0\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo here's the question - can a kitchen that can throw out a wide range of ecclectic\u00a0 Oriental dish also do decent gastro pub mains, fusion burgers, risotto and pasta ?\u00a0\u00a0\nI have only ever been on one cruise and the menu was a bit reminiscent if that, but the best food on that holiday was the southern Indian vegetarian dishes - guess where most of the chefs were from ?\nMost dishes have a fusion element. Many of the burgers use 'pinapple bread' - a Hong Kong speciality that is like a brioche bap. The name comes not from the ingredients\u00a0 (it contains no pineapple or any other fruit) but from its look, which is similar to tiger bread.\nThe menu did make me think of what an accident in the international ready dishes sector of\u00a0 M&S might end up as. .\u00a0\nSo, Take Your Time had to be tried in my bi-monthly meeting with fellow inReading hack Phil Creighton, who has long covered the visicitudes of eating out in our town.\nThe room has been nicely done up with a mix of high tables, dining tables and comfy chairs with coffee tables giving it more the feel of a bar than a restaurant.\nThe location has a great terrace and I suspect this will be a good place to eat in summer. A couple of months after opening on a Thursday lunchtime it was around a quarter full with everyone seemingly from our ever growing Hong Kong population\u00a0\nI was early and welcomed enthusiastically by the young man and woman serving (I suspect that they may have been a couple and the owners).\nWhen Phil arrived we set about tackling that menu. Eating any representative segment of the dishes in offer over a two person lunch was impossible.\nI was tempted to go to my standard measure of any oriental restaurant, that ubiquitous dish that is Singapore Noodle where YY Restaurant recently took the crown off Good Old Days for the best version in town.\nBut I decided to be a tad more adventurous and ordered the Hunanese chicken lakhsa (in other words. Southern Chinese chicken with Malaysia's national soup.)\n\nI was warned when ordering that it was 'very hot' but it really wasn't - the chilli oil nicely balanced the coconut brothbwhich is traditionally made of Laksa paste that contains dried chillies, shallots, garlic, galangal or ginger, lemongrass, candle nuts or peanuts, shrimp paste (belacan), turmeric, coriander and cumin seeds (or you can buy it all in a pot ready made!), along with chicken or prawn stock and a touch of sugar and fish sauce. It came with thick udon style noodles, lovely Hunan chicken, some overcooked besnsprouts, spring onion and puffed rice cake that soaks up the lovely sauce.\u00a0\nThe balance of broth against chilli oil wasn't perfect - the coconut stick could have had a bit more taste and maybe a bit less oil. It also could have done with some crunch and freshness - often raw besnsprouts, coriander, fresh limes, crushed peanuts and even cucumber are served for this purpose. It also lacked the ever present boiled or fried egg that seems to be de facto in many Malaysian meals. But at \u00a315 it was a massive bowl of food and I managed to eat just over half of it\nPhil decided on the Pork Loin Cutlet Baked Fried Rice. Apparently this is a Hong Kong standard - a comforting fusion dish made of rice, tomatoes and pineapple baked with mozzarella on top. Yes, it really does sound like that dish you made when you got back from the pub after an all sayer, using up everything you had in the fridge and cupboard.\n\nHere is came with a chunky breaded pork loin steak. Phil loved it and cleared the dish, reluctantly giving me a spoonful of rice and a chunk of pork. I could see why he was reluctant to give it away - tasty, fillingband comforting on a late autumn day.\nI could not resist ordering some of the pineapple bun (\u83e0\u863f\u5305, bolo bao) as a side.\nAs I mentioned, despite the name, this doesn\u2019t actually contain pineapple as the waitress reminded me.\nIt\u2019s a soft, fluffy Hong Kong\u2013style milk bread roll with a crunchy, sugary top and came with a large wedge of milky non salted butter - sometimes it's also filled with custard, or red bean paste. At TST it is used as a burger roll and I must come back to taste the chat siu 'burger'.\n\nOur dishes were large and we really didn't need it, but it has whetted my appetite for a fusion burger on a future visit.\nPhil was already telling our lovely waitress that he was coming back with his wife as soon as he could.\nThere is a very short but reasonably priced wine list and a good range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including some Hong Kong specialities.\nWe never got as far as the dessert menu!\nThis is a great, eclectic addition to eating out in Reading that totally assuaged my preconceptions. The next time you're with someone who doesn't share your taste in food, TYT may be your perfect solution.\n\u00a0", "summary": "Discover the eclectic Asian fusion menu at Take Your Time, a new restaurant in The Village, Reading. Despite its tucked-away location, the diverse offerings and unique atmosphere make it worth exploring.", "date_published": "2025-12-01T18:25:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:52.268938+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/c1ab5a98.jpg", "tags": [ "Food Blog" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/c1ab5a98.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Eating Out - Take Your Time", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1424, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Rarely do you read about new openings on these pages. I think it's unfair to established businesses and also unfair to the just opened businesses who are still finding their feet. On the other hand, they do need the publicity, especially if they occupy a site with practically no passing footfall on the upper floor of what is variously called 'The Village' or King's Walk.
\nBut the long eclectic menu from Asian fusion newcomer \u00a0 Take Your Time was something I could not resist.\u00a0
\nThe name, the menu and even the location amongst a lot of pretty good largely Oriental restaurants in this most tucked away of locations made me curious.
\nWhen Jollibees opened offering spaghetti and burgers I realised that the old borders count no more. You can get burgers in Carluccio's and Thai curry in most pubs.
\nAnd remember the 'English dishes' part of Chinese restaurant menus from the 1980s? After all Cosmos has been offering something for everyone for decades.
\nThe very attractive menus are long, and I cannot resist but print them here for you in full.\u00a0
\n
So here's the question - can a kitchen that can throw out a wide range of ecclectic\u00a0 Oriental dish also do decent gastro pub mains, fusion burgers, risotto and pasta ?\u00a0\u00a0
\nI have only ever been on one cruise and the menu was a bit reminiscent if that, but the best food on that holiday was the southern Indian vegetarian dishes - guess where most of the chefs were from ?
\nMost dishes have a fusion element. Many of the burgers use 'pinapple bread' - a Hong Kong speciality that is like a brioche bap. The name comes not from the ingredients\u00a0 (it contains no pineapple or any other fruit) but from its look, which is similar to tiger bread.
\nThe menu did make me think of what an accident in the international ready dishes sector of\u00a0 M&S might end up as. .\u00a0
\nSo, Take Your Time had to be tried in my bi-monthly meeting with fellow inReading hack Phil Creighton, who has long covered the visicitudes of eating out in our town.
\nThe room has been nicely done up with a mix of high tables, dining tables and comfy chairs with coffee tables giving it more the feel of a bar than a restaurant.
\nThe location has a great terrace and I suspect this will be a good place to eat in summer. A couple of months after opening on a Thursday lunchtime it was around a quarter full with everyone seemingly from our ever growing Hong Kong population\u00a0
\nI was early and welcomed enthusiastically by the young man and woman serving (I suspect that they may have been a couple and the owners).
\nWhen Phil arrived we set about tackling that menu. Eating any representative segment of the dishes in offer over a two person lunch was impossible.
\nI was tempted to go to my standard measure of any oriental restaurant, that ubiquitous dish that is Singapore Noodle where YY Restaurant recently took the crown off Good Old Days for the best version in town.
\nBut I decided to be a tad more adventurous and ordered the Hunanese chicken lakhsa (in other words. Southern Chinese chicken with Malaysia's national soup.)
\n
I was warned when ordering that it was 'very hot' but it really wasn't - the chilli oil nicely balanced the coconut brothbwhich is traditionally made of Laksa paste that contains dried chillies, shallots, garlic, galangal or ginger, lemongrass, candle nuts or peanuts, shrimp paste (belacan), turmeric, coriander and cumin seeds (or you can buy it all in a pot ready made!), along with chicken or prawn stock and a touch of sugar and fish sauce. It came with thick udon style noodles, lovely Hunan chicken, some overcooked besnsprouts, spring onion and puffed rice cake that soaks up the lovely sauce.\u00a0
\nThe balance of broth against chilli oil wasn't perfect - the coconut stick could have had a bit more taste and maybe a bit less oil. It also could have done with some crunch and freshness - often raw besnsprouts, coriander, fresh limes, crushed peanuts and even cucumber are served for this purpose. It also lacked the ever present boiled or fried egg that seems to be de facto in many Malaysian meals. But at \u00a315 it was a massive bowl of food and I managed to eat just over half of it
\nPhil decided on the Pork Loin Cutlet Baked Fried Rice. Apparently this is a Hong Kong standard - a comforting fusion dish made of rice, tomatoes and pineapple baked with mozzarella on top. Yes, it really does sound like that dish you made when you got back from the pub after an all sayer, using up everything you had in the fridge and cupboard.
\n
Here is came with a chunky breaded pork loin steak. Phil loved it and cleared the dish, reluctantly giving me a spoonful of rice and a chunk of pork. I could see why he was reluctant to give it away - tasty, fillingband comforting on a late autumn day.
\nI could not resist ordering some of the pineapple bun (\u83e0\u863f\u5305, bolo bao) as a side.
\nAs I mentioned, despite the name, this doesn\u2019t actually contain pineapple as the waitress reminded me.
\nIt\u2019s a soft, fluffy Hong Kong\u2013style milk bread roll with a crunchy, sugary top and came with a large wedge of milky non salted butter - sometimes it's also filled with custard, or red bean paste. At TST it is used as a burger roll and I must come back to taste the chat siu 'burger'.
\n
Our dishes were large and we really didn't need it, but it has whetted my appetite for a fusion burger on a future visit.
\nPhil was already telling our lovely waitress that he was coming back with his wife as soon as he could.
\nThere is a very short but reasonably priced wine list and a good range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including some Hong Kong specialities.
\nWe never got as far as the dessert menu!
\nThis is a great, eclectic addition to eating out in Reading that totally assuaged my preconceptions. The next time you're with someone who doesn't share your taste in food, TYT may be your perfect solution.
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Discover the eclectic Asian fusion menu at Take Your Time, a new restaurant in The Village, Reading. Despite its tucked-away location, the diverse offerings and unique atmosphere make it worth exploring.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:52.268938+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2025-12-01T18:25:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Food Blog", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/eating-out-take-your-time/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "329", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/oxford-move-homeless-to-reading/", "title": "Oxford Move Homeless To Reading", "content_html": "As we approach Christmas, inReading takes a look at the housing crisis affecting our town as, following a Freedom of Information request by Local Democracy Reporter Esmé Kenney, it has emerged that Oxford City Council has moved 34 homeless families to Reading. Oxford remains liable for paying the rent or B&B or hotel accommodation for the moved families, but the burden on social support such as healthcare is moved with the families.
\r\nIt’s not so much as a tale of two cities, but the tale of how a prosperous city is having to resolve its housing problems in neighbouring authorities in the shadow of regional reforms which may see them in the same extended ‘Thames Valley’ unitary authority.
\r\nAnd this is not just a story about 34 households; it is a symptom of a housing system so gridlocked that \"out-of-area placements\"—once the shameful last resort of London boroughs—have become the standard operating procedure for many of England’s provincial cities and its effects are now being seen in our town.
\r\nOxford is, by many metrics, a broken housing market. It is frequently cited as the \"least affordable place to live in the UK\" relative to wages, with median house prices stretching to over ten times the average salary. The city is hemmed in by a Green Belt that has choked expansion, while the relentless demand from the university sector and the booming biotech industry continues to drive rents skyward as more and more land is used for academic and industry uses. The fact that its colleges owns much of the land also exacerbates the situation.
\r\nCouncillor Linda Smith, Oxford’s Cabinet Member for Housing, has described the situation as an \"unprecedented rise in homelessness.\" The council is legally obliged to house those in desperate need, but their own stock is full and accommodation in Oxford is expensive thanks to demand from students and tourists as well as locals. The private rental market, usually the safety valve, has become a closed door due to the freeze in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, which no longer cover the true cost of renting in the city.
\r\nFacing a £1.5 million overspend on housing services and a queue of 10 new homeless families presenting every week, Oxford was forced to look outwards. As a result, they have sent 45 families to High Wycombe, two to Slough, and 34 to Reading. Obviously, for the displaced families, this separates them from the communities, schools, GPs, and support networks they are used to.
\r\nReading Borough Council has reacted with palpable frustration. The town is fighting its own battle with homelessness. In the same period that Oxford began moving families in, Reading saw an 18% surge in its own homeless presentations, with 402 local households currently stuck in temporary accommodation.
\r\nThe friction arises from a quirk of local government finance: when Oxford places a family in a Travelodge or private rental in Reading, Oxford pays the rent, but Reading’s infrastructure bears the load. These families may need places in Reading schools, support from Reading social services, and care from Reading GPs—services already stretched to the breaking point—without a penny of additional funding transferring from Oxford to Reading to cover the difference.
\r\nIt would be somewhat unfair to paint Oxford as the villain of this piece. They are caught in a systemic trap that is replicating itself across the South East.
\r\nThe practice of \"out-of-area\" placements was normalized by London boroughs sending families to Kent and the Home Counties. Now, the ripple effect has moved further out. As London pushes people to Slough, Slough pushes to Reading, and Oxford pushes to High Wycombe.
And the situation is made worse by a number of factors: housing benefits have not kept pace with market rents, making the private rented sector inaccessible to the poor; private landlords are leaving the market thanks to onerous new legislation and, prehaprs the biggest fault of all can be traced back to the Thatcher government and decades of “Right to Buy” without replacement that have left councils with no assets to deploy. The UK does not need hundreds of thousands of houses – it needs hundreds of thousands of social houses.
The Immigrant Myth
Meanwhile, housing has also become an issue championed by the extreme right and their perceived claims that ‘immigrants are taking our houses and benefits’. In Reading, as across the UK, it should be noted that a person is ineligible to join the Housing Register (for social housing) if they are subject to immigration control.
Data from the 2021 National Census data shows that 15% of people living in social housing in England and Wales were born outside the UK. This is marginally lower than the proportion of the total UK population that is foreign-born. Non-UK-born residents are generally less likely than UK-born residents to be homeowners and are most likely to live in the private rented sector, which often involves higher rent and thus greater use of Housing Benefit, which is part of the Universal Credit system and paid for by central government (although distributed in part by local authorities).
\r\nAsylum Seekers are not eligible for social housing or benefits: the estimated 700 asylum seekers in Reading are not permitted to work or claim mainstream benefits (like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or social housing). Asylum seekers placed in Reading receive accommodation and basic daily living support from the Home Office (central government), not the local council's welfare system. This support is provided at a low, fixed rate (currently around £7.03 per person per day).
\r\nReading's Housing Crisis
\r\nThis notwithstanding, as an affluent commuter belt town Reading is already grappling with a severe housing and homelessness crisis, driven by a shortage of affordable housing and significant cost pressures. The number of households in temporary accommodation due to homelessness has seen a dramatic increase, rising to 402 households as of the end of March 2025 - an 18% increase from the previous year. Crucially, 74% of these households (299) include children, highlighting the impact on families.
\r\nThis rise has substantially increased the financial burden on Reading Borough Council, which spent approximately £2.8 million on temporary accommodation in 2023/24 and further competition from neighbouring boroughs for precious housing resources does not help this situation.
\r\nThe total expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), including the total budget for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and operation of the Council's 7,000 social housing properties was £54.1 million, with a further £28.2 million spent on long-term investment in improving and expanding the social housing stock. Around £12.4m in total was spent in 2024/25 on providing new housing amounting to only 57 new units over the period.
\r\n\r\n
Separately, the official rough sleeping count in November 2024 was 57 people, though the Council suggested a figure of 42 from monthly averages might be more representative. Exacerbating the crisis is a chronic shortfall in new affordable home delivery, with the council reportedly falling short of the estimated annual need for new affordable homes, while the total number of council homes has been falling due to 'Right to Buy' sales, despite new building programmes.
\r\nThe Real Cause
\r\nBut the real problem is clear when you look at the reluctant of rich property development companies to provide affordable housing. Over and over again, developers have been able to fide behind ‘Financial Viability Assessment’ (FVA) in order to scale back the number of affordable properties included within their developments. The situation is a national scandal and is particularly acute in Reading.
\r\nReading Borough Council sets a clear policy target - Policy H3 requires 30% of the total dwellings on developments of 10 or more homes to be provided as affordable housing and for smaller sites (5–9 dwellings), a financial contribution equivalent to 20% is sought, which is used to fund off-site affordable housing elsewhere in the borough.
\r\nHowever, according to the Council's latest monitoring report for the 2023/24 financial year, only 21% of the 1,021 new homes completed in the borough were designated as affordable. Whereas this is an improvement on the15-17% achieved in the four years prior, it is still below the 30% policy target and the 400-500 home sit represents would actually have covered the shortfall in the borough theoretically.
\r\nSo, as we watch all these swish new towers go up in our town, remember that the companies benefiting from these massive profits are the ones causing a crisis at ground level.
", "content_text": "As we approach Christmas, inReading takes a look at the housing crisis affecting our town as, following a Freedom of Information request by Local Democracy Reporter Esmé Kenney, it has emerged that Oxford City Council has moved 34 homeless families to Reading. Oxford remains liable for paying the rent or B&B or hotel accommodation for the moved families, but the burden on social support such as healthcare is moved with the families.\r\nIt’s not so much as a tale of two cities, but the tale of how a prosperous city is having to resolve its housing problems in neighbouring authorities in the shadow of regional reforms which may see them in the same extended ‘Thames Valley’ unitary authority.\r\nAnd this is not just a story about 34 households; it is a symptom of a housing system so gridlocked that \"out-of-area placements\"—once the shameful last resort of London boroughs—have become the standard operating procedure for many of England’s provincial cities and its effects are now being seen in our town.\r\nOxford is, by many metrics, a broken housing market. It is frequently cited as the \"least affordable place to live in the UK\" relative to wages, with median house prices stretching to over ten times the average salary. The city is hemmed in by a Green Belt that has choked expansion, while the relentless demand from the university sector and the booming biotech industry continues to drive rents skyward as more and more land is used for academic and industry uses. The fact that its colleges owns much of the land also exacerbates the situation.\r\nCouncillor Linda Smith, Oxford’s Cabinet Member for Housing, has described the situation as an \"unprecedented rise in homelessness.\" The council is legally obliged to house those in desperate need, but their own stock is full and accommodation in Oxford is expensive thanks to demand from students and tourists as well as locals. The private rental market, usually the safety valve, has become a closed door due to the freeze in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, which no longer cover the true cost of renting in the city.\r\nFacing a £1.5 million overspend on housing services and a queue of 10 new homeless families presenting every week, Oxford was forced to look outwards. As a result, they have sent 45 families to High Wycombe, two to Slough, and 34 to Reading. Obviously, for the displaced families, this separates them from the communities, schools, GPs, and support networks they are used to.\r\nReading Borough Council has reacted with palpable frustration. The town is fighting its own battle with homelessness. In the same period that Oxford began moving families in, Reading saw an 18% surge in its own homeless presentations, with 402 local households currently stuck in temporary accommodation.\r\nThe friction arises from a quirk of local government finance: when Oxford places a family in a Travelodge or private rental in Reading, Oxford pays the rent, but Reading’s infrastructure bears the load. These families may need places in Reading schools, support from Reading social services, and care from Reading GPs—services already stretched to the breaking point—without a penny of additional funding transferring from Oxford to Reading to cover the difference.\r\nIt would be somewhat unfair to paint Oxford as the villain of this piece. They are caught in a systemic trap that is replicating itself across the South East.\r\nThe practice of \"out-of-area\" placements was normalized by London boroughs sending families to Kent and the Home Counties. Now, the ripple effect has moved further out. As London pushes people to Slough, Slough pushes to Reading, and Oxford pushes to High Wycombe.And the situation is made worse by a number of factors: housing benefits have not kept pace with market rents, making the private rented sector inaccessible to the poor; private landlords are leaving the market thanks to onerous new legislation and, prehaprs the biggest fault of all can be traced back to the Thatcher government and decades of “Right to Buy” without replacement that have left councils with no assets to deploy. The UK does not need hundreds of thousands of houses – it needs hundreds of thousands of social houses.\r\nThe Immigrant MythMeanwhile, housing has also become an issue championed by the extreme right and their perceived claims that ‘immigrants are taking our houses and benefits’. In Reading, as across the UK, it should be noted that a person is ineligible to join the Housing Register (for social housing) if they are subject to immigration control.\r\nData from the 2021 National Census data shows that 15% of people living in social housing in England and Wales were born outside the UK. This is marginally lower than the proportion of the total UK population that is foreign-born. Non-UK-born residents are generally less likely than UK-born residents to be homeowners and are most likely to live in the private rented sector, which often involves higher rent and thus greater use of Housing Benefit, which is part of the Universal Credit system and paid for by central government (although distributed in part by local authorities).\r\nAsylum Seekers are not eligible for social housing or benefits: the estimated 700 asylum seekers in Reading are not permitted to work or claim mainstream benefits (like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or social housing). Asylum seekers placed in Reading receive accommodation and basic daily living support from the Home Office (central government), not the local council's welfare system. This support is provided at a low, fixed rate (currently around £7.03 per person per day). \r\n Reading's Housing Crisis\r\nThis notwithstanding, as an affluent commuter belt town Reading is already grappling with a severe housing and homelessness crisis, driven by a shortage of affordable housing and significant cost pressures. The number of households in temporary accommodation due to homelessness has seen a dramatic increase, rising to 402 households as of the end of March 2025 - an 18% increase from the previous year. Crucially, 74% of these households (299) include children, highlighting the impact on families.\r\nThis rise has substantially increased the financial burden on Reading Borough Council, which spent approximately £2.8 million on temporary accommodation in 2023/24 and further competition from neighbouring boroughs for precious housing resources does not help this situation.\r\nThe total expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), including the total budget for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and operation of the Council's 7,000 social housing properties was £54.1 million, with a further £28.2 million spent on long-term investment in improving and expanding the social housing stock. Around £12.4m in total was spent in 2024/25 on providing new housing amounting to only 57 new units over the period.\r\n \r\nSeparately, the official rough sleeping count in November 2024 was 57 people, though the Council suggested a figure of 42 from monthly averages might be more representative. Exacerbating the crisis is a chronic shortfall in new affordable home delivery, with the council reportedly falling short of the estimated annual need for new affordable homes, while the total number of council homes has been falling due to 'Right to Buy' sales, despite new building programmes.\r\nThe Real Cause\r\nBut the real problem is clear when you look at the reluctant of rich property development companies to provide affordable housing. Over and over again, developers have been able to fide behind ‘Financial Viability Assessment’ (FVA) in order to scale back the number of affordable properties included within their developments. The situation is a national scandal and is particularly acute in Reading.\r\nReading Borough Council sets a clear policy target - Policy H3 requires 30% of the total dwellings on developments of 10 or more homes to be provided as affordable housing and for smaller sites (5–9 dwellings), a financial contribution equivalent to 20% is sought, which is used to fund off-site affordable housing elsewhere in the borough.\r\n However, according to the Council's latest monitoring report for the 2023/24 financial year, only 21% of the 1,021 new homes completed in the borough were designated as affordable. Whereas this is an improvement on the15-17% achieved in the four years prior, it is still below the 30% policy target and the 400-500 home sit represents would actually have covered the shortfall in the borough theoretically.\r\nSo, as we watch all these swish new towers go up in our town, remember that the companies benefiting from these massive profits are the ones causing a crisis at ground level.", "summary": "Oxford City Council has relocated 34 homeless families to Reading, straining local resources. This 'out-of-area' placement highlights a systemic housing crisis affecting the South East, with Reading bearing the brunt of Oxford's inability to house its own residents.", "date_published": "2025-12-01T16:19:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-24T18:20:12.754619+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/19bcaaac.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/19bcaaac.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Oxford Move Homeless To Reading", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1631, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "As we approach Christmas, inReading takes a look at the housing crisis affecting our town as, following a Freedom of Information request by Local Democracy Reporter Esmé Kenney, it has emerged that Oxford City Council has moved 34 homeless families to Reading. Oxford remains liable for paying the rent or B&B or hotel accommodation for the moved families, but the burden on social support such as healthcare is moved with the families.
\r\nIt’s not so much as a tale of two cities, but the tale of how a prosperous city is having to resolve its housing problems in neighbouring authorities in the shadow of regional reforms which may see them in the same extended ‘Thames Valley’ unitary authority.
\r\nAnd this is not just a story about 34 households; it is a symptom of a housing system so gridlocked that \"out-of-area placements\"—once the shameful last resort of London boroughs—have become the standard operating procedure for many of England’s provincial cities and its effects are now being seen in our town.
\r\nOxford is, by many metrics, a broken housing market. It is frequently cited as the \"least affordable place to live in the UK\" relative to wages, with median house prices stretching to over ten times the average salary. The city is hemmed in by a Green Belt that has choked expansion, while the relentless demand from the university sector and the booming biotech industry continues to drive rents skyward as more and more land is used for academic and industry uses. The fact that its colleges owns much of the land also exacerbates the situation.
\r\nCouncillor Linda Smith, Oxford’s Cabinet Member for Housing, has described the situation as an \"unprecedented rise in homelessness.\" The council is legally obliged to house those in desperate need, but their own stock is full and accommodation in Oxford is expensive thanks to demand from students and tourists as well as locals. The private rental market, usually the safety valve, has become a closed door due to the freeze in Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, which no longer cover the true cost of renting in the city.
\r\nFacing a £1.5 million overspend on housing services and a queue of 10 new homeless families presenting every week, Oxford was forced to look outwards. As a result, they have sent 45 families to High Wycombe, two to Slough, and 34 to Reading. Obviously, for the displaced families, this separates them from the communities, schools, GPs, and support networks they are used to.
\r\nReading Borough Council has reacted with palpable frustration. The town is fighting its own battle with homelessness. In the same period that Oxford began moving families in, Reading saw an 18% surge in its own homeless presentations, with 402 local households currently stuck in temporary accommodation.
\r\nThe friction arises from a quirk of local government finance: when Oxford places a family in a Travelodge or private rental in Reading, Oxford pays the rent, but Reading’s infrastructure bears the load. These families may need places in Reading schools, support from Reading social services, and care from Reading GPs—services already stretched to the breaking point—without a penny of additional funding transferring from Oxford to Reading to cover the difference.
\r\nIt would be somewhat unfair to paint Oxford as the villain of this piece. They are caught in a systemic trap that is replicating itself across the South East.
\r\nThe practice of \"out-of-area\" placements was normalized by London boroughs sending families to Kent and the Home Counties. Now, the ripple effect has moved further out. As London pushes people to Slough, Slough pushes to Reading, and Oxford pushes to High Wycombe.
And the situation is made worse by a number of factors: housing benefits have not kept pace with market rents, making the private rented sector inaccessible to the poor; private landlords are leaving the market thanks to onerous new legislation and, prehaprs the biggest fault of all can be traced back to the Thatcher government and decades of “Right to Buy” without replacement that have left councils with no assets to deploy. The UK does not need hundreds of thousands of houses – it needs hundreds of thousands of social houses.
The Immigrant Myth
Meanwhile, housing has also become an issue championed by the extreme right and their perceived claims that ‘immigrants are taking our houses and benefits’. In Reading, as across the UK, it should be noted that a person is ineligible to join the Housing Register (for social housing) if they are subject to immigration control.
Data from the 2021 National Census data shows that 15% of people living in social housing in England and Wales were born outside the UK. This is marginally lower than the proportion of the total UK population that is foreign-born. Non-UK-born residents are generally less likely than UK-born residents to be homeowners and are most likely to live in the private rented sector, which often involves higher rent and thus greater use of Housing Benefit, which is part of the Universal Credit system and paid for by central government (although distributed in part by local authorities).
\r\nAsylum Seekers are not eligible for social housing or benefits: the estimated 700 asylum seekers in Reading are not permitted to work or claim mainstream benefits (like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or social housing). Asylum seekers placed in Reading receive accommodation and basic daily living support from the Home Office (central government), not the local council's welfare system. This support is provided at a low, fixed rate (currently around £7.03 per person per day).
\r\nReading's Housing Crisis
\r\nThis notwithstanding, as an affluent commuter belt town Reading is already grappling with a severe housing and homelessness crisis, driven by a shortage of affordable housing and significant cost pressures. The number of households in temporary accommodation due to homelessness has seen a dramatic increase, rising to 402 households as of the end of March 2025 - an 18% increase from the previous year. Crucially, 74% of these households (299) include children, highlighting the impact on families.
\r\nThis rise has substantially increased the financial burden on Reading Borough Council, which spent approximately £2.8 million on temporary accommodation in 2023/24 and further competition from neighbouring boroughs for precious housing resources does not help this situation.
\r\nThe total expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), including the total budget for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and operation of the Council's 7,000 social housing properties was £54.1 million, with a further £28.2 million spent on long-term investment in improving and expanding the social housing stock. Around £12.4m in total was spent in 2024/25 on providing new housing amounting to only 57 new units over the period.
\r\n\r\n
Separately, the official rough sleeping count in November 2024 was 57 people, though the Council suggested a figure of 42 from monthly averages might be more representative. Exacerbating the crisis is a chronic shortfall in new affordable home delivery, with the council reportedly falling short of the estimated annual need for new affordable homes, while the total number of council homes has been falling due to 'Right to Buy' sales, despite new building programmes.
\r\nThe Real Cause
\r\nBut the real problem is clear when you look at the reluctant of rich property development companies to provide affordable housing. Over and over again, developers have been able to fide behind ‘Financial Viability Assessment’ (FVA) in order to scale back the number of affordable properties included within their developments. The situation is a national scandal and is particularly acute in Reading.
\r\nReading Borough Council sets a clear policy target - Policy H3 requires 30% of the total dwellings on developments of 10 or more homes to be provided as affordable housing and for smaller sites (5–9 dwellings), a financial contribution equivalent to 20% is sought, which is used to fund off-site affordable housing elsewhere in the borough.
\r\nHowever, according to the Council's latest monitoring report for the 2023/24 financial year, only 21% of the 1,021 new homes completed in the borough were designated as affordable. Whereas this is an improvement on the15-17% achieved in the four years prior, it is still below the 30% policy target and the 400-500 home sit represents would actually have covered the shortfall in the borough theoretically.
\r\nSo, as we watch all these swish new towers go up in our town, remember that the companies benefiting from these massive profits are the ones causing a crisis at ground level.
", "description": "Oxford City Council has relocated 34 homeless families to Reading, straining local resources. This 'out-of-area' placement highlights a systemic housing crisis affecting the South East, with Reading bearing the brunt of Oxford's inability to house its own residents.", "dateModified": "2026-03-24T18:20:12.754619+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2025-12-01T16:19:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/oxford-move-homeless-to-reading/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "332", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/theale-votes-in-greater-reading-battle/", "title": "Theale Votes In 'Greater Reading' Battle", "content_html": "Residents of Theale are heading to the polls next week to cast a crucial vote on whether their village should remain under West Berkshire Council (WBC) or be absorbed by Reading Borough Council (RBC). The Parish Poll, scheduled for Thursday, November 6th, is the latest flashpoint in the escalating political row over local government boundaries.
\nReading Borough Council\u2019s proposal is to expand its borders to create a \"Greater Reading\" authority, which would encompass key surrounding areas currently governed by West Berkshire. The areas targeted include Theale, along with Calcot, Tilehurst Parish, Purley-on-Thames, and Pangbourne.
\nRBC leaders argue these areas are effectively urban suburbs of Reading and form part of its natural economic area. They contend that the current boundary, drawn over a century ago in 1911, no longer reflects the reality of where people work, shop, and use services.
\nCouncillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, has stated that including these areas in an expanded Reading borough makes more sense than forcing them into a larger, predominantly rural new authority, which they claim would be the result of WBC\u2019s own reorganisation plans.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/media/assets/images/kwedl-migration/2026/05/4cb08a9ff184.jpg\")
The Proposed Expansion
\u00a0
\nWest Berkshire Council has been vocally opposed to the move, branding it a \"hostile and unsolicited attempted land grab.\"
\nWBC\u2019s own proposal is to merge with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils to create a new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019. WBC argues that the communities along the border see themselves as integral parts of West Berkshire.
\nCouncillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council, has consistently stressed that these communities have never, and should never, fall under Reading's jurisdiction.
Theale Residents to Have Their Say
\nThe Parish Poll in Theale was initiated after a well-attended parish meeting earlier this month. The vote will give registered electors in the village a chance to directly voice their preference.
\nThe question on the ballot will be: \u201cDo you wish for Theale to remain within the West Berkshire Council boundary?\u201d
\nWhile the result of the local poll is not legally binding, it will serve as a powerful democratic indicator for the ultimate decision-maker\u2014the Secretary of State for Local Government. The outcome will carry significant weight as the government considers the various proposals for Local Government Reorganisation across the region.
\nThe poll is set to take place between 4pm and 9pm on Thursday, November 6th, 2025.
What Happens Next?
\nThe boundary dispute is a direct consequence of the ongoing pressure for local government reform across England. With the final decisions for both the \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 and the \u2018Greater Reading\u2019 boundary review still to be made by the government, the democratic choice made by Theale residents next week will add some local participation to this high-stakes political debate, but the ultimate decision on the boundary change remains with the Secretary of State for Local Government.
\nWest Berkshire Council (WBC) and its partners (South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse) are due to submit their final, detailed proposal for the new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 unitary authority by Friday, November 28, 2025.
\nReading Borough Council (RBC) will submit its formal request to the Secretary of State for a Principal Area Boundary Review (PABR) to modify the border and absorb Theale (and other parishes) into a 'Greater Reading' authority \u00a0timed to coincide with the Ridgeway proposal, we understand.
\nThe Theale Parish Poll result will be officially included by WBC as crucial evidence demonstrating local sentiment.
\nThere is a precedent for this, albeit from the distant past, when Caversham was transferred from Oxfordshire to Reading on 9th November 1911.
Government Feedback
\nThe Secretary of State and MHCLG officials will then review both the Ridgeway Council proposal and RBC\u2019s boundary change request. This situation is further complicated by the larger scale proposal to create a Thames Valley Authority stretching from Slough to Swindon with its own mayor and increased local powers.
\nThe government will judge the proposals against statutory criteria, including creating new unitary authorities that are of an appropriate size (generally larger, serving a larger population) with proposals based on sensible economic and geographical areas.
\nEvidence of local support for the change. (The Theale poll strongly supports the WBC position on this point).
\nThere are no decision-points prior to the submission of the final proposals.
\nIf the government decides to take one or both proposals forward, it is legally obliged to carry out a Statutory Public Consultation.
\nThis is a formal, government-run process where all affected councils, community groups, and the general public will be invited to submit their views on the specific proposal(s) being considered for implementation.
\nThe consultation process is essential before any proposal can be implemented.
\nOnce the statutory consultation is concluded, Ministers will decide which, if any, proposal is to be implemented (with or without modification).
\nThe final decision will then be subject to Parliamentary approval.
\nThe entire reorganisation process, if approved, would likely not come into full effect until 2027 or later, allowing for a transition period, when we will be on the cusp of another election and everything may change once more.
", "content_text": "Residents of Theale are heading to the polls next week to cast a crucial vote on whether their village should remain under West Berkshire Council (WBC) or be absorbed by Reading Borough Council (RBC). The Parish Poll, scheduled for Thursday, November 6th, is the latest flashpoint in the escalating political row over local government boundaries.\nReading Borough Council\u2019s proposal is to expand its borders to create a \"Greater Reading\" authority, which would encompass key surrounding areas currently governed by West Berkshire. The areas targeted include Theale, along with Calcot, Tilehurst Parish, Purley-on-Thames, and Pangbourne.\nRBC leaders argue these areas are effectively urban suburbs of Reading and form part of its natural economic area. They contend that the current boundary, drawn over a century ago in 1911, no longer reflects the reality of where people work, shop, and use services.\nCouncillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, has stated that including these areas in an expanded Reading borough makes more sense than forcing them into a larger, predominantly rural new authority, which they claim would be the result of WBC\u2019s own reorganisation plans.\n\u00a0\nThe Proposed Expansion\n\u00a0\nWest Berkshire Council has been vocally opposed to the move, branding it a \"hostile and unsolicited attempted land grab.\"\nWBC\u2019s own proposal is to merge with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils to create a new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019. WBC argues that the communities along the border see themselves as integral parts of West Berkshire.\nCouncillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council, has consistently stressed that these communities have never, and should never, fall under Reading's jurisdiction.\nTheale Residents to Have Their Say\nThe Parish Poll in Theale was initiated after a well-attended parish meeting earlier this month. The vote will give registered electors in the village a chance to directly voice their preference.\nThe question on the ballot will be: \u201cDo you wish for Theale to remain within the West Berkshire Council boundary?\u201d\nWhile the result of the local poll is not legally binding, it will serve as a powerful democratic indicator for the ultimate decision-maker\u2014the Secretary of State for Local Government. The outcome will carry significant weight as the government considers the various proposals for Local Government Reorganisation across the region.\nThe poll is set to take place between 4pm and 9pm on Thursday, November 6th, 2025.\nWhat Happens Next?\nThe boundary dispute is a direct consequence of the ongoing pressure for local government reform across England. With the final decisions for both the \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 and the \u2018Greater Reading\u2019 boundary review still to be made by the government, the democratic choice made by Theale residents next week will add some local participation to this high-stakes political debate, but the ultimate decision on the boundary change remains with the Secretary of State for Local Government.\nWest Berkshire Council (WBC) and its partners (South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse) are due to submit their final, detailed proposal for the new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 unitary authority by Friday, November 28, 2025.\nReading Borough Council (RBC) will submit its formal request to the Secretary of State for a Principal Area Boundary Review (PABR) to modify the border and absorb Theale (and other parishes) into a 'Greater Reading' authority \u00a0timed to coincide with the Ridgeway proposal, we understand.\nThe Theale Parish Poll result will be officially included by WBC as crucial evidence demonstrating local sentiment.\nThere is a precedent for this, albeit from the distant past, when Caversham was transferred from Oxfordshire to Reading on 9th November 1911.\nGovernment Feedback\nThe Secretary of State and MHCLG officials will then review both the Ridgeway Council proposal and RBC\u2019s boundary change request. This situation is further complicated by the larger scale proposal to create a Thames Valley Authority stretching from Slough to Swindon with its own mayor and increased local powers.\nThe government will judge the proposals against statutory criteria, including creating new unitary authorities that are of an appropriate size (generally larger, serving a larger population) with proposals based on sensible economic and geographical areas.\nEvidence of local support for the change. (The Theale poll strongly supports the WBC position on this point).\nThere are no decision-points prior to the submission of the final proposals.\nIf the government decides to take one or both proposals forward, it is legally obliged to carry out a Statutory Public Consultation.\nThis is a formal, government-run process where all affected councils, community groups, and the general public will be invited to submit their views on the specific proposal(s) being considered for implementation.\nThe consultation process is essential before any proposal can be implemented.\nOnce the statutory consultation is concluded, Ministers will decide which, if any, proposal is to be implemented (with or without modification).\nThe final decision will then be subject to Parliamentary approval.\nThe entire reorganisation process, if approved, would likely not come into full effect until 2027 or later, allowing for a transition period, when we will be on the cusp of another election and everything may change once more.", "summary": "Theale residents head to the polls next week for a crucial vote on whether to remain with West Berkshire Council or join Reading Borough Council's proposed 'Greater Reading' authority. The parish poll's outcome will significantly influence the Secretary of State's decision on local government boundaries.", "date_published": "2025-11-01T16:34:00+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-29T23:31:52.629259+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "test1_caa2a9" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/d56e0422.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/assets/images/user13/2026/03/d56e0422.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "test1_caa2a9", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Theale Votes In 'Greater Reading' Battle", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1102, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "Residents of Theale are heading to the polls next week to cast a crucial vote on whether their village should remain under West Berkshire Council (WBC) or be absorbed by Reading Borough Council (RBC). The Parish Poll, scheduled for Thursday, November 6th, is the latest flashpoint in the escalating political row over local government boundaries.
\nReading Borough Council\u2019s proposal is to expand its borders to create a \"Greater Reading\" authority, which would encompass key surrounding areas currently governed by West Berkshire. The areas targeted include Theale, along with Calcot, Tilehurst Parish, Purley-on-Thames, and Pangbourne.
\nRBC leaders argue these areas are effectively urban suburbs of Reading and form part of its natural economic area. They contend that the current boundary, drawn over a century ago in 1911, no longer reflects the reality of where people work, shop, and use services.
\nCouncillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, has stated that including these areas in an expanded Reading borough makes more sense than forcing them into a larger, predominantly rural new authority, which they claim would be the result of WBC\u2019s own reorganisation plans.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Proposed Expansion
\u00a0
\nWest Berkshire Council has been vocally opposed to the move, branding it a \"hostile and unsolicited attempted land grab.\"
\nWBC\u2019s own proposal is to merge with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse councils to create a new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019. WBC argues that the communities along the border see themselves as integral parts of West Berkshire.
\nCouncillor Jeff Brooks, Leader of West Berkshire Council, has consistently stressed that these communities have never, and should never, fall under Reading's jurisdiction.
Theale Residents to Have Their Say
\nThe Parish Poll in Theale was initiated after a well-attended parish meeting earlier this month. The vote will give registered electors in the village a chance to directly voice their preference.
\nThe question on the ballot will be: \u201cDo you wish for Theale to remain within the West Berkshire Council boundary?\u201d
\nWhile the result of the local poll is not legally binding, it will serve as a powerful democratic indicator for the ultimate decision-maker\u2014the Secretary of State for Local Government. The outcome will carry significant weight as the government considers the various proposals for Local Government Reorganisation across the region.
\nThe poll is set to take place between 4pm and 9pm on Thursday, November 6th, 2025.
What Happens Next?
\nThe boundary dispute is a direct consequence of the ongoing pressure for local government reform across England. With the final decisions for both the \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 and the \u2018Greater Reading\u2019 boundary review still to be made by the government, the democratic choice made by Theale residents next week will add some local participation to this high-stakes political debate, but the ultimate decision on the boundary change remains with the Secretary of State for Local Government.
\nWest Berkshire Council (WBC) and its partners (South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse) are due to submit their final, detailed proposal for the new \u2018Ridgeway Council\u2019 unitary authority by Friday, November 28, 2025.
\nReading Borough Council (RBC) will submit its formal request to the Secretary of State for a Principal Area Boundary Review (PABR) to modify the border and absorb Theale (and other parishes) into a 'Greater Reading' authority \u00a0timed to coincide with the Ridgeway proposal, we understand.
\nThe Theale Parish Poll result will be officially included by WBC as crucial evidence demonstrating local sentiment.
\nThere is a precedent for this, albeit from the distant past, when Caversham was transferred from Oxfordshire to Reading on 9th November 1911.
Government Feedback
\nThe Secretary of State and MHCLG officials will then review both the Ridgeway Council proposal and RBC\u2019s boundary change request. This situation is further complicated by the larger scale proposal to create a Thames Valley Authority stretching from Slough to Swindon with its own mayor and increased local powers.
\nThe government will judge the proposals against statutory criteria, including creating new unitary authorities that are of an appropriate size (generally larger, serving a larger population) with proposals based on sensible economic and geographical areas.
\nEvidence of local support for the change. (The Theale poll strongly supports the WBC position on this point).
\nThere are no decision-points prior to the submission of the final proposals.
\nIf the government decides to take one or both proposals forward, it is legally obliged to carry out a Statutory Public Consultation.
\nThis is a formal, government-run process where all affected councils, community groups, and the general public will be invited to submit their views on the specific proposal(s) being considered for implementation.
\nThe consultation process is essential before any proposal can be implemented.
\nOnce the statutory consultation is concluded, Ministers will decide which, if any, proposal is to be implemented (with or without modification).
\nThe final decision will then be subject to Parliamentary approval.
\nThe entire reorganisation process, if approved, would likely not come into full effect until 2027 or later, allowing for a transition period, when we will be on the cusp of another election and everything may change once more.
", "description": "Theale residents head to the polls next week for a crucial vote on whether to remain with West Berkshire Council or join Reading Borough Council's proposed 'Greater Reading' authority. The parish poll's outcome will significantly influence the Secretary of State's decision on local government boundaries.", "dateModified": "2026-05-29T23:31:52.629259+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT0M", "datePublished": "2025-11-01T16:34:00+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/theale-votes-in-greater-reading-battle/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 0 } }, { "id": "303", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/what-to-do-along-readings-rivers/", "title": "What To Do Along Reading's Rivers", "content_html": "\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2789853c.jpg\")
\u00a0
\n
Reading is blessed with two key rivers running through it: the River Thames and the River Kennet. Despite not being used as well as similar waterways in other towns and cities, they do offer a surprising variety of activities, places to eat and drink, and some hidden gems. Whether you're after a lazy riverside stroll, watersports, or a quiet pint, here\u2019s your comprehensive guide.
Walking the Rivers
Taking a walk along Reading's rivers is a pleasure, when the Council isn\u2019t closing the paths for the latest \u201cessential works,\u201d which locals will tell you happens frustratingly often. When open, both rivers offer scenic routes full of wildlife, history, and pit-stops for refreshments.
Thames Path National Trail: A long-distance path following the River Thames from its source to the sea. The section through Reading is well-maintained and offers lovely views, particularly around Caversham and Thames Valley Park, once the site of a power station. A walk to Sonning for lunch and back is highly recommended.
Kennet & Avon Canal Towpath: Running alongside the Kennet, this path links Reading to Newbury and beyond. In Reading town centre, it merges into the Oracle Riverside area, blending urban and natural scenery.
View Island is a lovely, secluded spot for a picnic when the weather is fine, over the clinker bridge at Caversham Lock.
\nCaversham Court Gardens is the site of the former home of the SImonds brewing family - you can still see the footprint of their former mansion on the site. It is another peaceful place for a stroll by the river.\u00a0
Fishing
Both the Thames and the Kennet are popular fishing spots. However, you\u2019ll need a valid Rod Fishing Licence, and certain stretches require permits from local angling clubs. The River Thames is free to fish from public banks outside of the closed season (March 15 to June 15). You\u2019ll find bream, perch, pike, and roach.
The River Kennet is known for barbel and chub, but sections are often controlled by clubs like Reading & District Angling Association. Check access rights before casting off.
On The Kennet
The River Kennet cuts through the town centre and is perfect for a leisurely urban stroll.
Pubs, Bars & Eateries on the Kennet
Fisherman\u2019s Cottage
A proper riverside pub located on Kennetside, a short walk from Reading town centre. It has a good canalside seating area and cozy cabanas at the back, with a menu of popular puby foods from pizzas to burgers.
Back Of Beyond
Part of the Wetherspoons empire, this pub on King's Road has outside seating right on the Kennet. Budget-friendly and very popular in these fiscally challenging times.
The Outback
A Greene King pub adjacent to the river on Ridleys Bridge. There is pool and shuffleboard downstairs and a nice balcony seating area overlooking the canal loop.
LSB (London Street Brasserie)
One of Reading's best indie eateries with an extensive and interesting menu, great food and extensive wine list overlooking the canal.
The Oracle Riverside
This commercial strip along the Kennet inside the Oracle shopping centre offers a selection of chain restaurants and bars with outside terraces overlooking the river, including Las Iguanas, Wagamama, Marugame Udon, Osaka, Comptoir Libanis, C\u00f4te, Nandos, Miller & Carter, Creperie Doux Sourire and a McDonald's.
On The Thames
Leaving the Kennet behind, the Thames has a grander, more tranquil character as it winds between Reading\u2019s northern shore and Caversham.
The Mill at Sonning
A short walk or cycle upstream along the Thames takes you to the lovely at The Mill at Sonning, where you can have dinner and watch top theatrical performancesor just pop in for a drink.
Thames Lido
Although not directly on the river, this beautifully restored Edwardian lido is located by the Thames Path. It has a heated outdoor pool, spa facilities, and an excellent tapas and Moorish influenced restaurant. Perfect for a relaxing dip followed by a glass of wine or meal on the terrace.
Whittingtons Tea Barge
A floating tea room moored on the Thames near the Thames Path close to Caversham Bridge. Offers freshly made sandwiches, cream teas, and homemade cakes. A cosy spot to watch the river drift by.
River Spice
A riverside Indian restaurant located near Caversham Bridge. Known for its quality curries and great riverside views from its outdoor terrace.
Persian Palace
Further along the Thames at Caversham, Persian Palace serves authentic Persian cuisine. The patio area overlooks the water, making it a peaceful dining experience, especially at sunset with a hooka or a drink.
On The River
Caversham Boat Services
Hire a small motorboat, canoe, or rowboat and take to the Thames yourself. A great way to explore the river at your own pace. Call them beforehand and they will send a ferry over to pick you up.
Cruise Boats
Companies such as Thames Rivercruise offer boat trips from Reading to Henley or Goring. Some cruises include lunch, afternoon tea, or evening events.
Matilda
A much-loved, quirky floating venue, Matilda is a converted barge moored along the Kennet near Chestnut Walk. It\u2019s used for pop-up events, workshops, and sometimes as a creative space for artists and musicians and in summer acts as a water taxi so that you can see Reading from the rivers.
Wokingham Waterside Centre
Located upstream on the Thames at Thames Valley Park, this is a hub for watersports. You can hire kayaks, paddleboards, or take part in rowing and dragon boating. Try stand-up paddleboarding or book a group session in a dragon boat.
Seasonal Events
Reading Festival
On of the world's most famous rock festival takes over the fields by the Thames every August Bank Holiday.
Reading-on-Thames Festival
A celebration of arts, culture, and community, often incorporating riverside performances and installations.
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/fa15d566.png\")
Waterfest
A celebration of Reading's rivers held every June between the Abbey ruins and Huntley Wharf.
\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\n
Reading is blessed with two key rivers running through it: the River Thames and the River Kennet. Despite not being used as well as similar waterways in other towns and cities, they do offer a surprising variety of activities, places to eat and drink, and some hidden gems. Whether you're after a lazy riverside stroll, watersports, or a quiet pint, here\u2019s your comprehensive guide.
Walking the Rivers
Taking a walk along Reading's rivers is a pleasure, when the Council isn\u2019t closing the paths for the latest \u201cessential works,\u201d which locals will tell you happens frustratingly often. When open, both rivers offer scenic routes full of wildlife, history, and pit-stops for refreshments.
Thames Path National Trail: A long-distance path following the River Thames from its source to the sea. The section through Reading is well-maintained and offers lovely views, particularly around Caversham and Thames Valley Park, once the site of a power station. A walk to Sonning for lunch and back is highly recommended.
Kennet & Avon Canal Towpath: Running alongside the Kennet, this path links Reading to Newbury and beyond. In Reading town centre, it merges into the Oracle Riverside area, blending urban and natural scenery.
View Island is a lovely, secluded spot for a picnic when the weather is fine, over the clinker bridge at Caversham Lock.
\nCaversham Court Gardens is the site of the former home of the SImonds brewing family - you can still see the footprint of their former mansion on the site. It is another peaceful place for a stroll by the river.\u00a0
Fishing
Both the Thames and the Kennet are popular fishing spots. However, you\u2019ll need a valid Rod Fishing Licence, and certain stretches require permits from local angling clubs. The River Thames is free to fish from public banks outside of the closed season (March 15 to June 15). You\u2019ll find bream, perch, pike, and roach.
The River Kennet is known for barbel and chub, but sections are often controlled by clubs like Reading & District Angling Association. Check access rights before casting off.
On The Kennet
The River Kennet cuts through the town centre and is perfect for a leisurely urban stroll.
Pubs, Bars & Eateries on the Kennet
Fisherman\u2019s Cottage
A proper riverside pub located on Kennetside, a short walk from Reading town centre. It has a good canalside seating area and cozy cabanas at the back, with a menu of popular puby foods from pizzas to burgers.
Back Of Beyond
Part of the Wetherspoons empire, this pub on King's Road has outside seating right on the Kennet. Budget-friendly and very popular in these fiscally challenging times.
The Outback
A Greene King pub adjacent to the river on Ridleys Bridge. There is pool and shuffleboard downstairs and a nice balcony seating area overlooking the canal loop.
LSB (London Street Brasserie)
One of Reading's best indie eateries with an extensive and interesting menu, great food and extensive wine list overlooking the canal.
The Oracle Riverside
This commercial strip along the Kennet inside the Oracle shopping centre offers a selection of chain restaurants and bars with outside terraces overlooking the river, including Las Iguanas, Wagamama, Marugame Udon, Osaka, Comptoir Libanis, C\u00f4te, Nandos, Miller & Carter, Creperie Doux Sourire and a McDonald's.
On The Thames
Leaving the Kennet behind, the Thames has a grander, more tranquil character as it winds between Reading\u2019s northern shore and Caversham.
The Mill at Sonning
A short walk or cycle upstream along the Thames takes you to the lovely at The Mill at Sonning, where you can have dinner and watch top theatrical performancesor just pop in for a drink.
Thames Lido
Although not directly on the river, this beautifully restored Edwardian lido is located by the Thames Path. It has a heated outdoor pool, spa facilities, and an excellent tapas and Moorish influenced restaurant. Perfect for a relaxing dip followed by a glass of wine or meal on the terrace.
Whittingtons Tea Barge
A floating tea room moored on the Thames near the Thames Path close to Caversham Bridge. Offers freshly made sandwiches, cream teas, and homemade cakes. A cosy spot to watch the river drift by.
River Spice
A riverside Indian restaurant located near Caversham Bridge. Known for its quality curries and great riverside views from its outdoor terrace.
Persian Palace
Further along the Thames at Caversham, Persian Palace serves authentic Persian cuisine. The patio area overlooks the water, making it a peaceful dining experience, especially at sunset with a hooka or a drink.
On The River
Caversham Boat Services
Hire a small motorboat, canoe, or rowboat and take to the Thames yourself. A great way to explore the river at your own pace. Call them beforehand and they will send a ferry over to pick you up.
Cruise Boats
Companies such as Thames Rivercruise offer boat trips from Reading to Henley or Goring. Some cruises include lunch, afternoon tea, or evening events.
Matilda
A much-loved, quirky floating venue, Matilda is a converted barge moored along the Kennet near Chestnut Walk. It\u2019s used for pop-up events, workshops, and sometimes as a creative space for artists and musicians and in summer acts as a water taxi so that you can see Reading from the rivers.
Wokingham Waterside Centre
Located upstream on the Thames at Thames Valley Park, this is a hub for watersports. You can hire kayaks, paddleboards, or take part in rowing and dragon boating. Try stand-up paddleboarding or book a group session in a dragon boat.
Seasonal Events
Reading Festival
On of the world's most famous rock festival takes over the fields by the Thames every August Bank Holiday.
Reading-on-Thames Festival
A celebration of arts, culture, and community, often incorporating riverside performances and installations.
\u00a0
\n
Waterfest
A celebration of Reading's rivers held every June between the Abbey ruins and Huntley Wharf.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/63073647.png\")
A new unitary authority with 500,000 residents
\n
InReading has exclusively learnt that plans are at an advanced stage to merge the boroughs of Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest into an 'A329 corridor' super council.
\u00a0
\nThe government has made clear that it wants to see local authorities covering around 500,000 people, and merging the three towns into one in this way would achieve this outcome.
\n\u00a0
\nTo the north and west, Vale of the White Horse, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire have already gone public about their plans to merge these Chiltern based councils into a single unitary authority.
\n\u00a0
\nNow the boroughs in the centre and south of the county are set to follow suit, although we understand that there is some dispute over the name of the new authority with Bracknell and Wokingham representatives arguing against the 'Greater Reading' moniker, although Reading representatives are thought to favour this since it would be more likely in helping the area achieving city status.
\n\u00a0
\nHistorical Governance
\n\u00a0
\nFor older residents of the region, this is hardly new, of course. Berkshire has undergone significant transformations in its local government structure over the centuries. Berkshire as a county, was once a single local authority.
\n\u00a0
\nThe origins of Berkshire's name trace back to a wood of box trees called \"Bearroc,\" a Celtic term meaning \"hilly,\" as noted in Asser's biography of King Alfred from 893 AD. The county shared a sheriff with Oxfordshire until the reign of Elizabeth I, with the shire court historically held at Grandpont. Over time, assizes were conducted in various towns, including Reading, Abingdon, and Newbury, until they were centralized in Reading by 1911.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Local Government Act of 1988 established\u00a0 Berkshire County Council. However, this administrative county excluded the county borough of Reading. Subsequent boundary adjustments were minimal but notable, such as the transfer of areas south of the Thames to Oxfordshire in 1889 and the incorporation of Caversham into Berkshire in 1911. In 1957 Berkshire was designated the \"Royal County\" due to the presence of Windsor Castle, a title reflecting its longstanding royal connections.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Local Government Act of 1972 brought significant changes, and from April 1, 1974 Berkshire expanded to include Slough, Eton, and parts of the former Eton Rural District from Buckinghamshire. Conversely, areas like Faringdon, Wantage, and Abingdon were transferred to Oxfordshire.
\n\u00a0
\nTransition to Unitary Authorities
\n\u00a0
\nFurther changes occurred on April 1, 1998 when Berkshire County Council was abolished following the recommendations of the Banham Commission, leading\u00a0to the establishment of six unitary authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nCurrent Reorganization
\n\u00a0
\nAs of February 2025 the government has put forward proposals to restructure local government in England again, with the aim of streamlining services and enhancing efficiency.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nThese plans involve merging existing councils into larger unitary authorities, each serving populations of approximately 500,000 residents. The government is also keen to see a mayor elected to represent each area.
\n\u00a0
\nThe current authorities have set a target date of 1st April 2027 to unify the existing councils and set up the new unitary authority representing us all with the further aim of achieving the status of the 'City Of Greater Reading' thereafter.
\n\u00a0
\nOther Proposals
\n\u00a0
\nWe understand that amongst other plans being considered are a London type metro service but using monorails to facilitate faster travel between the towns with the hope of a direct link to the expanded Heathrow airport in due course.
\n\u00a0
\nIt is also understood that if Reading FC fails to meet EFL deadlines and goes into administration that a community club would be formed by merging it with Bracknell Town FC and Wokingham Town FC with the aim of returning a national league club to the area in the near future. The SCL Stadium would then become the site of the new unitary government offices, since the old Berkshire Council civic centre in Shinfield is under redevelopment. Other local government sites would be turned into high density social housing.
\n\u00a0
\nFinally, there are proposals to add ten floors to Reading's iconic Blade building so that it is visible to all residents of the new borough.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\nA new unitary authority with 500,000 residents\nInReading has exclusively learnt that plans are at an advanced stage to merge the boroughs of Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest into an 'A329 corridor' super council.\n\u00a0\nThe government has made clear that it wants to see local authorities covering around 500,000 people, and merging the three towns into one in this way would achieve this outcome.\n\u00a0\nTo the north and west, Vale of the White Horse, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire have already gone public about their plans to merge these Chiltern based councils into a single unitary authority.\n\u00a0\nNow the boroughs in the centre and south of the county are set to follow suit, although we understand that there is some dispute over the name of the new authority with Bracknell and Wokingham representatives arguing against the 'Greater Reading' moniker, although Reading representatives are thought to favour this since it would be more likely in helping the area achieving city status.\n\u00a0\nHistorical Governance\n\u00a0\nFor older residents of the region, this is hardly new, of course. Berkshire has undergone significant transformations in its local government structure over the centuries. Berkshire as a county, was once a single local authority.\n\u00a0\nThe origins of Berkshire's name trace back to a wood of box trees called \"Bearroc,\" a Celtic term meaning \"hilly,\" as noted in Asser's biography of King Alfred from 893 AD. The county shared a sheriff with Oxfordshire until the reign of Elizabeth I, with the shire court historically held at Grandpont. Over time, assizes were conducted in various towns, including Reading, Abingdon, and Newbury, until they were centralized in Reading by 1911.\n\u00a0\nThe Local Government Act of 1988 established\u00a0 Berkshire County Council. However, this administrative county excluded the county borough of Reading. Subsequent boundary adjustments were minimal but notable, such as the transfer of areas south of the Thames to Oxfordshire in 1889 and the incorporation of Caversham into Berkshire in 1911. In 1957 Berkshire was designated the \"Royal County\" due to the presence of Windsor Castle, a title reflecting its longstanding royal connections.\n\u00a0\nThe Local Government Act of 1972 brought significant changes, and from April 1, 1974 Berkshire expanded to include Slough, Eton, and parts of the former Eton Rural District from Buckinghamshire. Conversely, areas like Faringdon, Wantage, and Abingdon were transferred to Oxfordshire.\n\u00a0\nTransition to Unitary Authorities\n\u00a0\nFurther changes occurred on April 1, 1998 when Berkshire County Council was abolished following the recommendations of the Banham Commission, leading\u00a0to the establishment of six unitary authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCurrent Reorganization\n\u00a0\nAs of February 2025 the government has put forward proposals to restructure local government in England again, with the aim of streamlining services and enhancing efficiency.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThese plans involve merging existing councils into larger unitary authorities, each serving populations of approximately 500,000 residents. The government is also keen to see a mayor elected to represent each area.\n\u00a0\nThe current authorities have set a target date of 1st April 2027 to unify the existing councils and set up the new unitary authority representing us all with the further aim of achieving the status of the 'City Of Greater Reading' thereafter.\n\u00a0\nOther Proposals\n\u00a0\nWe understand that amongst other plans being considered are a London type metro service but using monorails to facilitate faster travel between the towns with the hope of a direct link to the expanded Heathrow airport in due course.\n\u00a0\nIt is also understood that if Reading FC fails to meet EFL deadlines and goes into administration that a community club would be formed by merging it with Bracknell Town FC and Wokingham Town FC with the aim of returning a national league club to the area in the near future. The SCL Stadium would then become the site of the new unitary government offices, since the old Berkshire Council civic centre in Shinfield is under redevelopment. Other local government sites would be turned into high density social housing.\n\u00a0\nFinally, there are proposals to add ten floors to Reading's iconic Blade building so that it is visible to all residents of the new borough.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "A new unitary authority with 500,000 residents InReading has exclusively learnt that plans are at an advanced stage to merge the boroughs of Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest into an 'A329 corridor' super council. The government has made clear that it wants to see local authorities covering around 500,000 people, and merging the three towns into one in this way would achieve this outcome....", "date_published": "2025-03-30T22:40:16+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:42.208097+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/c591c064.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/c591c064.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading, Wokingham & Bracknell To Merge", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1040, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
A new unitary authority with 500,000 residents
\n
InReading has exclusively learnt that plans are at an advanced stage to merge the boroughs of Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest into an 'A329 corridor' super council.
\u00a0
\nThe government has made clear that it wants to see local authorities covering around 500,000 people, and merging the three towns into one in this way would achieve this outcome.
\n\u00a0
\nTo the north and west, Vale of the White Horse, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire have already gone public about their plans to merge these Chiltern based councils into a single unitary authority.
\n\u00a0
\nNow the boroughs in the centre and south of the county are set to follow suit, although we understand that there is some dispute over the name of the new authority with Bracknell and Wokingham representatives arguing against the 'Greater Reading' moniker, although Reading representatives are thought to favour this since it would be more likely in helping the area achieving city status.
\n\u00a0
\nHistorical Governance
\n\u00a0
\nFor older residents of the region, this is hardly new, of course. Berkshire has undergone significant transformations in its local government structure over the centuries. Berkshire as a county, was once a single local authority.
\n\u00a0
\nThe origins of Berkshire's name trace back to a wood of box trees called \"Bearroc,\" a Celtic term meaning \"hilly,\" as noted in Asser's biography of King Alfred from 893 AD. The county shared a sheriff with Oxfordshire until the reign of Elizabeth I, with the shire court historically held at Grandpont. Over time, assizes were conducted in various towns, including Reading, Abingdon, and Newbury, until they were centralized in Reading by 1911.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Local Government Act of 1988 established\u00a0 Berkshire County Council. However, this administrative county excluded the county borough of Reading. Subsequent boundary adjustments were minimal but notable, such as the transfer of areas south of the Thames to Oxfordshire in 1889 and the incorporation of Caversham into Berkshire in 1911. In 1957 Berkshire was designated the \"Royal County\" due to the presence of Windsor Castle, a title reflecting its longstanding royal connections.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Local Government Act of 1972 brought significant changes, and from April 1, 1974 Berkshire expanded to include Slough, Eton, and parts of the former Eton Rural District from Buckinghamshire. Conversely, areas like Faringdon, Wantage, and Abingdon were transferred to Oxfordshire.
\n\u00a0
\nTransition to Unitary Authorities
\n\u00a0
\nFurther changes occurred on April 1, 1998 when Berkshire County Council was abolished following the recommendations of the Banham Commission, leading\u00a0to the establishment of six unitary authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nCurrent Reorganization
\n\u00a0
\nAs of February 2025 the government has put forward proposals to restructure local government in England again, with the aim of streamlining services and enhancing efficiency.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nThese plans involve merging existing councils into larger unitary authorities, each serving populations of approximately 500,000 residents. The government is also keen to see a mayor elected to represent each area.
\n\u00a0
\nThe current authorities have set a target date of 1st April 2027 to unify the existing councils and set up the new unitary authority representing us all with the further aim of achieving the status of the 'City Of Greater Reading' thereafter.
\n\u00a0
\nOther Proposals
\n\u00a0
\nWe understand that amongst other plans being considered are a London type metro service but using monorails to facilitate faster travel between the towns with the hope of a direct link to the expanded Heathrow airport in due course.
\n\u00a0
\nIt is also understood that if Reading FC fails to meet EFL deadlines and goes into administration that a community club would be formed by merging it with Bracknell Town FC and Wokingham Town FC with the aim of returning a national league club to the area in the near future. The SCL Stadium would then become the site of the new unitary government offices, since the old Berkshire Council civic centre in Shinfield is under redevelopment. Other local government sites would be turned into high density social housing.
\n\u00a0
\nFinally, there are proposals to add ten floors to Reading's iconic Blade building so that it is visible to all residents of the new borough.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "A new unitary authority with 500,000 residents InReading has exclusively learnt that plans are at an advanced stage to merge the boroughs of Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell Forest into an 'A329 corridor' super council. The government has made clear that it wants to see local authorities covering around 500,000 people, and merging the three towns into one in this way would achieve this outcome....", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:42.208097+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT3M", "datePublished": "2025-03-30T22:40:16+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-wokingham-bracknell-to-merge/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 3 } }, { "id": "301", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/our-barren-waterways/", "title": "Our Barren Waterways", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/c0d5b76d.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nReading is a town built on rivers, but which has a strangely ambiguous relationship with them. In the past, they have fed local industries and powered local mills, today they offer endless leisure opportunities, but today Reading's waterways lie largely empty with little boating and boarded up or closed pubs and restaurants on their banks.
So why are our waterways and watersides practically barren ? And why has the council admitted to being unable to do anything about this ?
Looking Back
The story of Reading\u2019s rivers begins long before it was a town. The Kennet and the Thames, both alluvial and gritty green brown, are fed by ancient clear chalk streams from the Chilterns, the Berkshire Downs and Wiltshire plains. They have been shaping this landscape since the last Ice Age when their current courses were laid as the glaciers retreated.
Archaeological finds near the riverbanks suggest that Neolithic peoples were already drawn to this fertile floodplain, their flint tools and burial sites evidence of early settlement. But it was the Romans who first exploited the river's commercial potential. Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester), just a short journey south, was linked to the Thames valley by trackways and the Kennet. The river enabled trade, transporting everything from iron tools to wine amphorae to and from the main port at Londinium.
However a problem then remains today - the rivers form flood plains and marshlands that need taming and management.
By the time Reading grew into a Saxon settlement the rivers had established themselves as economic highways. The Thames connected Reading to London and Oxford, while the Kennet provided passage deep into the rural heartlands and its mills and wool.
In 1121, Reading Abbey was founded by King Henry I. The monks, pragmatic and ambitious, recognised the power of the water. They constructed the Holy Brook, a man-made channel of the Kennet, to supply the abbey with fresh water and to power their mills. Today, the Holy Brook still flows, partially hidden beneath Reading\u2019s streets, surfacing occasionally behind the King's Road - a secret passageway through time.
Bread, Beer, and Bricks
Through the Middle Ages and into the Industrial Revolution, the rivers underpinned Reading\u2019s prosperity. Its mills ground flour for bread, its water brewed beer, and its wharves bustled with barges laden with bricks from local kilns and agricultural produce from the Berkshire countryside.
By the 18th century, the Kennet Navigation transformed the river into a working canal, linking Reading to Newbury and ultimately to Bristol. The subsequent arrival of the Kennet and Avon Canal created an unbroken inland waterway between London and Bristol and was the motorway of its day, until disrupted by the onset of the railways.
During the Victorian era, the town became a quintessential \u2018railway town\u2019, but the rivers remained vital. Huntley & Palmers, the biscuit giant that helped Reading earn its moniker as the \u2018biscuit town\u2019, used the waterways to ship biscuits globally (water is smoother than railways and prevented breakages). Simultaneously, the riverbanks saw malting houses, iron foundries, and print works flourish. There was even a yard where Gypsy caravans were made opposite the Queen's Road car park where The Outback pub now stands.
As with many industrial hubs, Reading\u2019s rivers became polluted and silted. The very lifeblood that had sustained the town began to choke on its success. By the mid-20th century, waters that had once shimmered with salmon became sluggish and tainted.
Gradually, however, they were used for leisure. Older residents still remember how the area at Kennet Mouth in front of The Dreadnought pub was Reading's beach, and a lido was built for the lady workers at Huntley & Palmer's by Caversham Lock (the men had to make do with the river itself). Many rowing clubs existed on the stretch of river. Fishing was a popular passtime, even if the salmon no longer migrated. The transformation of the industrial waterways into the leisure age had begun.
A Waterside Renaissance
The Oracle Shopping Centre, opened in 1999 on the site of a car park and bus station, marked the beginning of Reading\u2019s waterside renaissance. Built on the site of an 18th-century iron foundry, it reimagined the Kennet\u2019s edge as a place of leisure\u2014restaurants, caf\u00e9s, and boutiques lining the revitalised banks. However, the opportunity to widen the canal at this point and provide moorings was not taken, and the river now regularly floods the adjacent walkways.
Other riverside areas, once dominated by warehouses and derelict mills, were ripe for the transformation that continues today with development such as Huntley Wharf and the new Reading Riverworks development on Vastern Road. Living by water commands a premium.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2055fe3c.webp\")
The new development at Reading Riverside
Gradually, better sanitation and conservation projects helped restore biodiversity to the Kennet and Thames. Otters, long absent due to pollution, began to return. Kingfishers once again flashed beneath the willows. Anglers started spotting barbel, dace, and even elusive salmon making their way upstream, even if the work to clean up the rivers is far from complete thanks largely to the pumping of large quantities of effluent into the waterways by Thames Water and the runoff from industrial farming upstream of the town.
Down the years, Reading\u2019s rivers have inspired culture too\u2014from the paintings of J.M.W. Turner to the writings of Jerome K. Jerome, who famously passed through in his comedic travelogue Three Men in a Boat.\u00a0
So why is so little use made of these lovely waterways ?
\n\u00a0
\nOpening Up The Waterways
\nIf you go upriver to Benson or down the river to Henley on most weekends you will find everything from weekend motorcruisers to flotillas of paddleboaters with many waterside pubs and restaurants heaving on the waterfront.
\nSo why are the waterways in Reading seem so barren by comparison ?
\nThe Council apparently started to look into this last year with other involved agencies such as the Canal & Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency and quickly came to the conclusion that the river and canalsides were not 'safe' enough to invest in and vowed to undertake this work before looking at further opportunities.
\nIt seems that there has been little progress since then due to inter-agency issues and in the meantime more closures have been seen. A few boats on the Kennetmouth and elsewhere seem to be holding back any serious investment in waterfront facilities, whilst more and more privately run destinations are shutting down, hampered not only by the lack of local concern, but also the wider woes betiding the hospitality industry
\nAlong the Thames, 'The Island' has long been shut, as has the Dreadnought by Kennetmouth (it is currently up for sale). On the Kennet the Jolly Angler, Bel & Dragon / Narrowboat, Ship (again long closed) and Loch Fyne have closed and the redevelopment of The Oracle into housing threatens more of the restaurants in that part of town where some units have been empty for some time. Units at Huntley Wharf remain empty, as does the basement of the Verto building and the old Mexican restaurant opposite.
\nThere are moorings aplenty, but the confusing state of paying for these bearths means that almost all are empty, with a small, merry band of renegade waterbourne dwellers congeregated around Kennetmouth and the Thames, much to the ire of the council and apparently causing all this neglect.
\nThe irony is, of course, that the more people and activity there is, the safer people feel, so we can all hope that the council and various agencies involved will see a way through the current impasse and encourage greater and better use of the rivers that define our town.
See interview below with Thames Ward councillor, Adele Barnett-Ward.
\n
\u00a0
\nReading is a town built on rivers, but which has a strangely ambiguous relationship with them. In the past, they have fed local industries and powered local mills, today they offer endless leisure opportunities, but today Reading's waterways lie largely empty with little boating and boarded up or closed pubs and restaurants on their banks.
So why are our waterways and watersides practically barren ? And why has the council admitted to being unable to do anything about this ?
Looking Back
The story of Reading\u2019s rivers begins long before it was a town. The Kennet and the Thames, both alluvial and gritty green brown, are fed by ancient clear chalk streams from the Chilterns, the Berkshire Downs and Wiltshire plains. They have been shaping this landscape since the last Ice Age when their current courses were laid as the glaciers retreated.
Archaeological finds near the riverbanks suggest that Neolithic peoples were already drawn to this fertile floodplain, their flint tools and burial sites evidence of early settlement. But it was the Romans who first exploited the river's commercial potential. Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester), just a short journey south, was linked to the Thames valley by trackways and the Kennet. The river enabled trade, transporting everything from iron tools to wine amphorae to and from the main port at Londinium.
However a problem then remains today - the rivers form flood plains and marshlands that need taming and management.
By the time Reading grew into a Saxon settlement the rivers had established themselves as economic highways. The Thames connected Reading to London and Oxford, while the Kennet provided passage deep into the rural heartlands and its mills and wool.
In 1121, Reading Abbey was founded by King Henry I. The monks, pragmatic and ambitious, recognised the power of the water. They constructed the Holy Brook, a man-made channel of the Kennet, to supply the abbey with fresh water and to power their mills. Today, the Holy Brook still flows, partially hidden beneath Reading\u2019s streets, surfacing occasionally behind the King's Road - a secret passageway through time.
Bread, Beer, and Bricks
Through the Middle Ages and into the Industrial Revolution, the rivers underpinned Reading\u2019s prosperity. Its mills ground flour for bread, its water brewed beer, and its wharves bustled with barges laden with bricks from local kilns and agricultural produce from the Berkshire countryside.
By the 18th century, the Kennet Navigation transformed the river into a working canal, linking Reading to Newbury and ultimately to Bristol. The subsequent arrival of the Kennet and Avon Canal created an unbroken inland waterway between London and Bristol and was the motorway of its day, until disrupted by the onset of the railways.
During the Victorian era, the town became a quintessential \u2018railway town\u2019, but the rivers remained vital. Huntley & Palmers, the biscuit giant that helped Reading earn its moniker as the \u2018biscuit town\u2019, used the waterways to ship biscuits globally (water is smoother than railways and prevented breakages). Simultaneously, the riverbanks saw malting houses, iron foundries, and print works flourish. There was even a yard where Gypsy caravans were made opposite the Queen's Road car park where The Outback pub now stands.
As with many industrial hubs, Reading\u2019s rivers became polluted and silted. The very lifeblood that had sustained the town began to choke on its success. By the mid-20th century, waters that had once shimmered with salmon became sluggish and tainted.
Gradually, however, they were used for leisure. Older residents still remember how the area at Kennet Mouth in front of The Dreadnought pub was Reading's beach, and a lido was built for the lady workers at Huntley & Palmer's by Caversham Lock (the men had to make do with the river itself). Many rowing clubs existed on the stretch of river. Fishing was a popular passtime, even if the salmon no longer migrated. The transformation of the industrial waterways into the leisure age had begun.
A Waterside Renaissance
The Oracle Shopping Centre, opened in 1999 on the site of a car park and bus station, marked the beginning of Reading\u2019s waterside renaissance. Built on the site of an 18th-century iron foundry, it reimagined the Kennet\u2019s edge as a place of leisure\u2014restaurants, caf\u00e9s, and boutiques lining the revitalised banks. However, the opportunity to widen the canal at this point and provide moorings was not taken, and the river now regularly floods the adjacent walkways.
Other riverside areas, once dominated by warehouses and derelict mills, were ripe for the transformation that continues today with development such as Huntley Wharf and the new Reading Riverworks development on Vastern Road. Living by water commands a premium.
\n
The new development at Reading Riverside
Gradually, better sanitation and conservation projects helped restore biodiversity to the Kennet and Thames. Otters, long absent due to pollution, began to return. Kingfishers once again flashed beneath the willows. Anglers started spotting barbel, dace, and even elusive salmon making their way upstream, even if the work to clean up the rivers is far from complete thanks largely to the pumping of large quantities of effluent into the waterways by Thames Water and the runoff from industrial farming upstream of the town.
Down the years, Reading\u2019s rivers have inspired culture too\u2014from the paintings of J.M.W. Turner to the writings of Jerome K. Jerome, who famously passed through in his comedic travelogue Three Men in a Boat.\u00a0
So why is so little use made of these lovely waterways ?
\n\u00a0
\nOpening Up The Waterways
\nIf you go upriver to Benson or down the river to Henley on most weekends you will find everything from weekend motorcruisers to flotillas of paddleboaters with many waterside pubs and restaurants heaving on the waterfront.
\nSo why are the waterways in Reading seem so barren by comparison ?
\nThe Council apparently started to look into this last year with other involved agencies such as the Canal & Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency and quickly came to the conclusion that the river and canalsides were not 'safe' enough to invest in and vowed to undertake this work before looking at further opportunities.
\nIt seems that there has been little progress since then due to inter-agency issues and in the meantime more closures have been seen. A few boats on the Kennetmouth and elsewhere seem to be holding back any serious investment in waterfront facilities, whilst more and more privately run destinations are shutting down, hampered not only by the lack of local concern, but also the wider woes betiding the hospitality industry
\nAlong the Thames, 'The Island' has long been shut, as has the Dreadnought by Kennetmouth (it is currently up for sale). On the Kennet the Jolly Angler, Bel & Dragon / Narrowboat, Ship (again long closed) and Loch Fyne have closed and the redevelopment of The Oracle into housing threatens more of the restaurants in that part of town where some units have been empty for some time. Units at Huntley Wharf remain empty, as does the basement of the Verto building and the old Mexican restaurant opposite.
\nThere are moorings aplenty, but the confusing state of paying for these bearths means that almost all are empty, with a small, merry band of renegade waterbourne dwellers congeregated around Kennetmouth and the Thames, much to the ire of the council and apparently causing all this neglect.
\nThe irony is, of course, that the more people and activity there is, the safer people feel, so we can all hope that the council and various agencies involved will see a way through the current impasse and encourage greater and better use of the rivers that define our town.
See interview below with Thames Ward councillor, Adele Barnett-Ward.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/6e950d34.jpg\")
Did you know that England was once ruled from Caversham ? Here\u2019s the tale of William Marshal, often hailed as \u2018the greatest knight,\u2019 a towering figure in medieval England and \u2018hand to the King\u2019.
Born in 1147 as a fourth son to a minor lord, he rose from relative obscurity to become one of the most powerful men of his era, serving five English kings and playing a crucial role in the formation of the Magna Carta.
While much of his life was spent on battlefields and in royal courts, Marshal had significant ties to Reading and Caversham, which formed part of his vast estates and played a role in his enduring legacy.
Sir William Marshal, also known as William the Marshal, was one of the most renowned knights and statesmen of medieval England, serving five kings over his lifetime. His connection to Caversham, a manor in Berkshire, England, was significant and lasted for several generations of his family.
William Marshal (c. 1146-1219) rose from humble beginnings as a landless knight to become the Earl of Pembroke and one of the wealthiest men in England. His exceptional skills in combat, unwavering loyalty to the crown, and diplomatic acumen made him an indispensable figure in English politics during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.
Marshal's career began as a tutor and guardian to Henry the Young King, son of Henry II. He gained fame in tournaments and proved his worth on the battlefield, eventually becoming a trusted advisor to Henry II[9]. After Henry II's death, Marshal continued to serve subsequent monarchs, including Richard I, King John, and Henry III.
The Caversham Connection
William Marshal's connection to Caversham began when he married Isabel de Clare, daughter of Richard de Clare, in 1189. Through this marriage, Marshal acquired numerous estates, including the lordship of Caversham which he used as a convenient central location between London and his many other estates all over England, Wales and Ireland.
Upon the death of King John in 1216, William Marshal was appointed protector and regent for John's nine-year-old son, Henry III.\u00a0As regent, Marshal was responsible for governing the kingdom on behalf of the young king, which he often did from Caversham Manor.\u00a0Despite his advanced age of around 70, he took on this role with remarkable energy, prosecuting the war against Prince Louis and the rebel barons.\u00a0Marshal served as regent from Henry III's ascension to the throne in 1216 until Marshal's own death in 1219.\u00a0During this time, he reissued Magna Carta and worked to secure peace and stability for the young king.
During the early 13th century, one of William Marshal's sons, likely his eldest, had Caversham Park laid out and fenced as a hunting ground for deer and other game. The park covered an area of approximately 1,000 acres, encompassing what is now the former BBC site set to be converted into a residential home and the surrounding area of Caversham Park Village. This expansive hunting park remained largely unchanged in size and shape for over 700 years.
While Caversham Park served primarily as a hunting ground, the manor of Caversham itself held significant importance. The Caversham manor house, though not located within the park, was a center of local governance. Additionally, Caversham became known for its chapel dedicated to Our Lady, which grew into a notable pilgrimage site.
It is also thought that Marshal, along with the Abbot of Reading Abbey, were responsible for building the first crossing of the Thames at Reading, although detailed proof of this is scant.
The Marshal family's influence in Caversham continued through William's five sons, who successively became Earls of Pembroke and Lords of the Manor of Caversham. However, as none of Marshal's sons had children of their own, the estate eventually passed back to the de Clare family and then to the Despencer family.
The Despencers, who held Caversham through tumultuous periods of English history, made significant contributions to the local area. They granted substantial amounts of gold to the Chapel of Our Lady at Caversham, enhancing its status as a pilgrimage destination.
William Marshal's Final Days
Interestingly, Caversham played a role in the final chapter of William Marshal's life. In early May 1219, while at Caversham, the aging Marshal declared his intention to join the Knights Templar. The Master of the Templars travelled to Caversham to perform the necessary rituals, allowing Marshal to fulfil his long-held desire to become a Templar before his death.
William Marshal passed away on May 14, 1219, at the age of 73. He was buried at the Temple Church in London, where effigies of him and two of his sons can still be seen today. At his funeral, Cardinal Stephen Langton described him as \"the best knight that ever lived,\" a testament to his enduring legacy.
His story is told on a plaque on Caversham Bridge errected by CADRA.
\n
Did you know that England was once ruled from Caversham ? Here\u2019s the tale of William Marshal, often hailed as \u2018the greatest knight,\u2019 a towering figure in medieval England and \u2018hand to the King\u2019.
Born in 1147 as a fourth son to a minor lord, he rose from relative obscurity to become one of the most powerful men of his era, serving five English kings and playing a crucial role in the formation of the Magna Carta.
While much of his life was spent on battlefields and in royal courts, Marshal had significant ties to Reading and Caversham, which formed part of his vast estates and played a role in his enduring legacy.
Sir William Marshal, also known as William the Marshal, was one of the most renowned knights and statesmen of medieval England, serving five kings over his lifetime. His connection to Caversham, a manor in Berkshire, England, was significant and lasted for several generations of his family.
William Marshal (c. 1146-1219) rose from humble beginnings as a landless knight to become the Earl of Pembroke and one of the wealthiest men in England. His exceptional skills in combat, unwavering loyalty to the crown, and diplomatic acumen made him an indispensable figure in English politics during the late 12th and early 13th centuries.
Marshal's career began as a tutor and guardian to Henry the Young King, son of Henry II. He gained fame in tournaments and proved his worth on the battlefield, eventually becoming a trusted advisor to Henry II[9]. After Henry II's death, Marshal continued to serve subsequent monarchs, including Richard I, King John, and Henry III.
The Caversham Connection
William Marshal's connection to Caversham began when he married Isabel de Clare, daughter of Richard de Clare, in 1189. Through this marriage, Marshal acquired numerous estates, including the lordship of Caversham which he used as a convenient central location between London and his many other estates all over England, Wales and Ireland.
Upon the death of King John in 1216, William Marshal was appointed protector and regent for John's nine-year-old son, Henry III.\u00a0As regent, Marshal was responsible for governing the kingdom on behalf of the young king, which he often did from Caversham Manor.\u00a0Despite his advanced age of around 70, he took on this role with remarkable energy, prosecuting the war against Prince Louis and the rebel barons.\u00a0Marshal served as regent from Henry III's ascension to the throne in 1216 until Marshal's own death in 1219.\u00a0During this time, he reissued Magna Carta and worked to secure peace and stability for the young king.
During the early 13th century, one of William Marshal's sons, likely his eldest, had Caversham Park laid out and fenced as a hunting ground for deer and other game. The park covered an area of approximately 1,000 acres, encompassing what is now the former BBC site set to be converted into a residential home and the surrounding area of Caversham Park Village. This expansive hunting park remained largely unchanged in size and shape for over 700 years.
While Caversham Park served primarily as a hunting ground, the manor of Caversham itself held significant importance. The Caversham manor house, though not located within the park, was a center of local governance. Additionally, Caversham became known for its chapel dedicated to Our Lady, which grew into a notable pilgrimage site.
It is also thought that Marshal, along with the Abbot of Reading Abbey, were responsible for building the first crossing of the Thames at Reading, although detailed proof of this is scant.
The Marshal family's influence in Caversham continued through William's five sons, who successively became Earls of Pembroke and Lords of the Manor of Caversham. However, as none of Marshal's sons had children of their own, the estate eventually passed back to the de Clare family and then to the Despencer family.
The Despencers, who held Caversham through tumultuous periods of English history, made significant contributions to the local area. They granted substantial amounts of gold to the Chapel of Our Lady at Caversham, enhancing its status as a pilgrimage destination.
William Marshal's Final Days
Interestingly, Caversham played a role in the final chapter of William Marshal's life. In early May 1219, while at Caversham, the aging Marshal declared his intention to join the Knights Templar. The Master of the Templars travelled to Caversham to perform the necessary rituals, allowing Marshal to fulfil his long-held desire to become a Templar before his death.
William Marshal passed away on May 14, 1219, at the age of 73. He was buried at the Temple Church in London, where effigies of him and two of his sons can still be seen today. At his funeral, Cardinal Stephen Langton described him as \"the best knight that ever lived,\" a testament to his enduring legacy.
His story is told on a plaque on Caversham Bridge errected by CADRA.
\r\n
So, catching up with G, we agreed on a pre-match drink at Siren Brewery to formulate a plan.
Over a Pastel Pils and a Broken Dream (nice to add a poetical flair to the article), paid for partially by my crowdfunding credit, we discussed Memories of China opposite - too challenging at this point, Osaka - but we had both recently eaten there and agreed that it was better than the dreadful Coconut Kitchen run by the same company. We then contemplated the new Rosa's Thai in the old Jackson's Corner, but G insisted that we first try Thai Corner, where he is a regular, but I have only eaten once.
So, a short crawl to what is a lovely building on the corner of St Mary's Butts and Friars Street and a friendly, smiley welcome (they seem to know G well) and we settled down.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/4001a899.jpg\")
Presented with an a la carte menu, a lunch special and a special of the day (pandan chicken) we decided on the excellent value presented by the two course set menu for £15, which, let's face it, is less than you're likely to pay on a visit to Itsu.
G went for the corn fritters and Phad Thai and I selected the satay and Gai Bai Phrat Kew - stir fried chicken with basil.
Yes, not a green, red, yellow or jungle curry in sight. Now, I know, there are more adventurous dishes on the menu here and at other Thai restaurants, but the regulars are a good way to benchmark. Pepperoni pizza, lasagne, butter chicken, Singapore noodle. The standards are always a good way to rate a restaurant in my view .
But this is where this review gets difficult.
Thai food is, er.., Thai food. I cook it really well myself when I can get ingredients such as gulangal, kafir lime leaves, sweet basil and lemongrass, the key notes of any Thai meal (and this has become increasingly easy even in supermarkets, and the reopening of the Thai supermarket further down Friar Street was a welcome comback after the fire that destroyed their oprevious store). At many pubs and restaurants, even in relatively remote parts of Britain, you can eat good Thai food. It is so consistent that it is a go to meal out for many people (including G and his family, seamingly). Indeed, the wave of Thai restaurants that came to the UK during the 90s and naughties and seemed very exotic at the time have gradually been replaced by Vietnamese and Korean and regional Chinese restaurants and fast food joints.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/c463a108.jpg\")
Every dish was great, we agreed on this enthusiastically, yet could not find any particular superlatives or criticisms.
This is sound food. It is safe food, even more consistent than British Indian or Cantonese. Sunday Roasts have degrees whereby you can split a hair, but, honestly, I find Thai food more difficult to rate, so our forthcoming visit to Rosa's will be interesting.
The satay was juicy, the peanut dip perhaps needed a bit more chilli and fish sauce, and the basil chicken was lovely with just the right chilli spicing with the onions and peppers nice and crunchy and the sweet (or holy) basil added a lovely tang. I understand from Thai friends and those who have spent time in the country that things are chillied down for our meagre palettes, which is fine by me.
As is traditional when G and I get together (he was nice and tanned from a couple of weeks in Florida and full of Trumpian horror stories) we went for a nice bottle of wine, a Sancerre for £34, which is a total bargain these days.
At Thai Corner you will, I suspect, always eat well, always be well looked after in the charming way that only Thai people can look after you and then end up with a reasonable bill. It's a great option for a group - apparently you can book the room upstairs.
There are, of course, other Thai restaurants in town - Thai Table in Caversham and The Moderation just over the bridge from it and now Rosa's. As we walked past its large pane glass windows on our way back through town, they seemed to be doing a roaring trade, but G commented that their Phad Thai looked just like the dish he had just eaten.
Thailand has exported a wonderful cuisine to the world that is as consistent as a pint of Guinness in an Irish pub in Bangkok.
\r\n
So, catching up with G, we agreed on a pre-match drink at Siren Brewery to formulate a plan.
Over a Pastel Pils and a Broken Dream (nice to add a poetical flair to the article), paid for partially by my crowdfunding credit, we discussed Memories of China opposite - too challenging at this point, Osaka - but we had both recently eaten there and agreed that it was better than the dreadful Coconut Kitchen run by the same company. We then contemplated the new Rosa's Thai in the old Jackson's Corner, but G insisted that we first try Thai Corner, where he is a regular, but I have only eaten once.
So, a short crawl to what is a lovely building on the corner of St Mary's Butts and Friars Street and a friendly, smiley welcome (they seem to know G well) and we settled down.
\r\n
Presented with an a la carte menu, a lunch special and a special of the day (pandan chicken) we decided on the excellent value presented by the two course set menu for £15, which, let's face it, is less than you're likely to pay on a visit to Itsu.
G went for the corn fritters and Phad Thai and I selected the satay and Gai Bai Phrat Kew - stir fried chicken with basil.
Yes, not a green, red, yellow or jungle curry in sight. Now, I know, there are more adventurous dishes on the menu here and at other Thai restaurants, but the regulars are a good way to benchmark. Pepperoni pizza, lasagne, butter chicken, Singapore noodle. The standards are always a good way to rate a restaurant in my view .
But this is where this review gets difficult.
Thai food is, er.., Thai food. I cook it really well myself when I can get ingredients such as gulangal, kafir lime leaves, sweet basil and lemongrass, the key notes of any Thai meal (and this has become increasingly easy even in supermarkets, and the reopening of the Thai supermarket further down Friar Street was a welcome comback after the fire that destroyed their oprevious store). At many pubs and restaurants, even in relatively remote parts of Britain, you can eat good Thai food. It is so consistent that it is a go to meal out for many people (including G and his family, seamingly). Indeed, the wave of Thai restaurants that came to the UK during the 90s and naughties and seemed very exotic at the time have gradually been replaced by Vietnamese and Korean and regional Chinese restaurants and fast food joints.
\r\n
Every dish was great, we agreed on this enthusiastically, yet could not find any particular superlatives or criticisms.
This is sound food. It is safe food, even more consistent than British Indian or Cantonese. Sunday Roasts have degrees whereby you can split a hair, but, honestly, I find Thai food more difficult to rate, so our forthcoming visit to Rosa's will be interesting.
The satay was juicy, the peanut dip perhaps needed a bit more chilli and fish sauce, and the basil chicken was lovely with just the right chilli spicing with the onions and peppers nice and crunchy and the sweet (or holy) basil added a lovely tang. I understand from Thai friends and those who have spent time in the country that things are chillied down for our meagre palettes, which is fine by me.
As is traditional when G and I get together (he was nice and tanned from a couple of weeks in Florida and full of Trumpian horror stories) we went for a nice bottle of wine, a Sancerre for £34, which is a total bargain these days.
At Thai Corner you will, I suspect, always eat well, always be well looked after in the charming way that only Thai people can look after you and then end up with a reasonable bill. It's a great option for a group - apparently you can book the room upstairs.
There are, of course, other Thai restaurants in town - Thai Table in Caversham and The Moderation just over the bridge from it and now Rosa's. As we walked past its large pane glass windows on our way back through town, they seemed to be doing a roaring trade, but G commented that their Phad Thai looked just like the dish he had just eaten.
Thailand has exported a wonderful cuisine to the world that is as consistent as a pint of Guinness in an Irish pub in Bangkok.
\u00a0
\n\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/99270bf9.png\")
\u00a0
\nTwo seemingly contrasting things are going on in Reading \u2013 a significant increase in the ethnic makup of our town and a massive switch away from Labour, traditionally the party representatives of a diverse population.
\nJust walking down Broad Street it quickly becomes apparent that Reading has a highly diverse population. Indeed, the town has probably shifted to become minority white. At a time of increasing tension over immigration, how is this likely to play out in our town ?
\nAt the 2021 Census, 46.5% of Reading's residents identify as belonging to a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, a broad category that includes some white and other ethnic communities. This figure marks a significant increase from the 35% recorded in 2011, illustrating a substantial growth in the town's non-White British population over the decade. The recent significant wave of immigration from China and Africa has probably seen this figure rise even further to likely represent over half the population in 2025.
\nMuch of this has been driven by the active jobs market in the area for IT and healthcare and it's an inconvenient truth that a society with an ageing population becoming iller and lazier by the day, with fewer and fewer children, needs immigration to shore up its wealth and existing standards of living and service delivery in the NHS and elsewhere (34.4% of the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital are from a BAME background). Somewhat ironically, due to the way immigration is measured in the UK, Boris Johnson (born in the US) and Nigel Farage's ex wife count as immigrants, as are probably the last few people who looked after you or a member of your family when you were last ill.
\nReading's proportion of BAME residents is among the highest in the South East of England outside of London, just below Slough. Census data is a crude representation of the origin of people living in the U.K., but it does paint a picture of the shifting impact immigration is having on the makeup of our part of the world.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/983052e4.jpg\")
Reading\u2019s Ethnic Makeup
\nWhite British constituted 53.5% of Reading's population in 2021. This was a significant decline from 65.3% in 2011 and is considerably lower than the English average of 73.5%. \u2018Other White\u2019 accounted for 13.7% of Reading's residents in 2021, an increase from 9.5% in 2011, and is again significantly higher than England's 7.5%.
\nIndividuals identifying with a Mixed ethnic background make up 5.1% of Reading's population, rising from 4% in 2011, and exceeding England's average of 3%.
\nThe Indian community represents 6.2% of Reading's population, an increase from 4.2% in 2011, and almost double England's 3.3%, with those from a Pakistani background comprising 4.8% of Reading's residents, up from 4.5% in 2011, and also higher than England's 2.8%. Other Asian accounts for 6.7% of Reading's population, with its significant Nepali population, increasing from 4.9% in 2011, and substantially above England's 3.5%.
\nBlack Caribbeans in our town are actually decreasing making up 1.9% of Reading's population in 2021, showing a slight decrease from 2.1% in 2011, although still higher than England's 1.1%.
\nBlack African represent 4.4% of Reading's residents, this group has grown from 3.9% in 2011 and is notably higher than England's 2.6%, whereas \u2018Black other\u2019 (which largely represents British people of colour) comprises 4.5% of Reading's population, remaining consistent with its 2011 figure of 4.5%, and is higher than England's 2.9%.
\nThe Chinese community at the time of the census accounted for just 1.5% of Reading's population, an increase from 1% in 2011, and higher than England's 0.8%. However a large influx from Hong Kong under right to settle has occurred since then and this figure is now likely to be significantly higher.
\nThe \u2018Other ethnic\u2019 group has seen a notable increase, rising from 1% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2021, and is higher than England's 2.2%. This probably represents the significant Middle Eastern and South American communities in our town.
\nLanguage Diversity
\nMirroring its ethnic diversity, Reading is also rich in linguistic variety. While English remains the predominant language, spoken by 136,436 individuals in 2021 (an increase from 126,690 in 2011), other languages are widely used. During this time a particularly a significant increase was seen in the number of Romanian speakers, rising from 194 in 2011 to 2,642 in 2021. Other prominent languages spoken in Reading in 2021 include Polish (4,154 speakers), Nepalese (4,147), Urdu (1,520), Portuguese (1,512), Spanish (1,264), Italian (1,024), Arabic (985), and Panjabi (968).
\nYet immigration and the relatively small number of people arriving in the UK by crossing the most dangerous waterway in the world have seemingly become the only political issue most people care about and it is having a drastic impact on voting intentions in Reading.
The Rise Of The Right
\nThe reaction to nearly fifteen years' rule by our two leading parties (three if you include the coalition ) has left people with crippling taxes, a lack of housing, poor public services, inflation, poor transport and, perhaps above everything else, a lack of growth and hope. And as history shows, when hope dies, hatred has room to grow.
\nWith English flags being painted on Reading's streets, support for \u2018nationalism\u2019 and the extreme right is clearly rising even as the town becomes increasingly ethnically integrated. With tens of thousands marching in the streets of London, the rise of facism and racism in the UK is impossible to ignore and is reflected in the proposed voting intentions in our town.
\nReading is a wealthy town by UK standards and the ethnic tensions seen elsewhere in the country are not as apparent. It is perhaps telling that the wave of nationalist statements being made are in the poorer areas of our borough.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/edc397fa.jpg\")
However there seems to be a wider discontent that may have a fundamental change on the makeup of our local council and representation at Westminster.
Voting Intentions
\nBased on predictions by YouGov and VoteClimate the likely outcome of a general election in Reading if held now would likely be extremely close between Labour and Reform UK, with both parties predicted to receive nearly identical shares of the vote, and the Conservatives trailing slightly behind. The Labour party would almost certainly loose overall control of the council if there was a vote in the near future (the next local election will be in May 2026 when a third of councillors will be up for re-election).
\nThe most recent Reading-specific polling estimates for Reading Central and Reading West & Mid Berkshire forecast these approximate results:
\nThese numbers indicate a highly competitive race between Labour and Reform UK for first place in both main Reading constituencies, with neither the Conservatives nor Liberal Democrats looking likely to win. This sharply contrasts with previous elections in Reading, historically a Labour-Conservative marginal.
\nRecent national trends also show Reform UK making significant gains at the expense of both major parties, boosting their chances in marginal urban areas like Reading. An immediate election could result in either a narrow Labour hold or a breakthrough Reform UK win, depending on turnout and tactical voting.
\nAnd it has to be pointed out that Reform UK and the Conservative parties have a significantly better record then Labour at having people from a BAME background in senior positions within the party.
\n\u00a0
\nImproving Ethnic Cohesion
\nThe Labour party does seem to be taking some notice of their predicament and in November 2025 is introducting the \u201cClosing the Gap 2\u201d service to act as the strategic lead for local organizations supporting ethnically diverse communities. This initiative is intended to promote joint working, expand outreach, and tackle health and wellbeing inequalities through targeted community support as well as improving front line services to the poorest communities in Reading. The project includes a multi-year funding commitment, enabling outreach initiatives, preventative work, and long-term change designed to improve health outcomes and social inclusion for minority groups, which now perhaps should include marginalised white English communities in our town above all if it is to have any impact on voting intentions.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\u00a0\n\n\n\u00a0\nTwo seemingly contrasting things are going on in Reading \u2013 a significant increase in the ethnic makup of our town and a massive switch away from Labour, traditionally the party representatives of a diverse population. \nJust walking down Broad Street it quickly becomes apparent that Reading has a highly diverse population. Indeed, the town has probably shifted to become minority white. At a time of increasing tension over immigration, how is this likely to play out in our town ?\nAt the 2021 Census, 46.5% of Reading's residents identify as belonging to a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, a broad category that includes some white and other ethnic communities. This figure marks a significant increase from the 35% recorded in 2011, illustrating a substantial growth in the town's non-White British population over the decade. The recent significant wave of immigration from China and Africa has probably seen this figure rise even further to likely represent over half the population in 2025.\nMuch of this has been driven by the active jobs market in the area for IT and healthcare and it's an inconvenient truth that a society with an ageing population becoming iller and lazier by the day, with fewer and fewer children, needs immigration to shore up its wealth and existing standards of living and service delivery in the NHS and elsewhere (34.4% of the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital are from a BAME background). Somewhat ironically, due to the way immigration is measured in the UK, Boris Johnson (born in the US) and Nigel Farage's ex wife count as immigrants, as are probably the last few people who looked after you or a member of your family when you were last ill.\nReading's proportion of BAME residents is among the highest in the South East of England outside of London, just below Slough. Census data is a crude representation of the origin of people living in the U.K., but it does paint a picture of the shifting impact immigration is having on the makeup of our part of the world.\n\nReading\u2019s Ethnic Makeup\nWhite British constituted 53.5% of Reading's population in 2021. This was a significant decline from 65.3% in 2011 and is considerably lower than the English average of 73.5%. \u2018Other White\u2019 accounted for 13.7% of Reading's residents in 2021, an increase from 9.5% in 2011, and is again significantly higher than England's 7.5%.\nIndividuals identifying with a Mixed ethnic background make up 5.1% of Reading's population, rising from 4% in 2011, and exceeding England's average of 3%.\nThe Indian community represents 6.2% of Reading's population, an increase from 4.2% in 2011, and almost double England's 3.3%, with those from a Pakistani background comprising 4.8% of Reading's residents, up from 4.5% in 2011, and also higher than England's 2.8%. Other Asian accounts for 6.7% of Reading's population, with its significant Nepali population, increasing from 4.9% in 2011, and substantially above England's 3.5%.\nBlack Caribbeans in our town are actually decreasing making up 1.9% of Reading's population in 2021, showing a slight decrease from 2.1% in 2011, although still higher than England's 1.1%.\nBlack African represent 4.4% of Reading's residents, this group has grown from 3.9% in 2011 and is notably higher than England's 2.6%, whereas \u2018Black other\u2019 (which largely represents British people of colour) comprises 4.5% of Reading's population, remaining consistent with its 2011 figure of 4.5%, and is higher than England's 2.9%.\nThe Chinese community at the time of the census accounted for just 1.5% of Reading's population, an increase from 1% in 2011, and higher than England's 0.8%. However a large influx from Hong Kong under right to settle has occurred since then and this figure is now likely to be significantly higher.\nThe \u2018Other ethnic\u2019 group has seen a notable increase, rising from 1% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2021, and is higher than England's 2.2%. This probably represents the significant Middle Eastern and South American communities in our town.\nLanguage Diversity\nMirroring its ethnic diversity, Reading is also rich in linguistic variety. While English remains the predominant language, spoken by 136,436 individuals in 2021 (an increase from 126,690 in 2011), other languages are widely used. During this time a particularly a significant increase was seen in the number of Romanian speakers, rising from 194 in 2011 to 2,642 in 2021. Other prominent languages spoken in Reading in 2021 include Polish (4,154 speakers), Nepalese (4,147), Urdu (1,520), Portuguese (1,512), Spanish (1,264), Italian (1,024), Arabic (985), and Panjabi (968).\nYet immigration and the relatively small number of people arriving in the UK by crossing the most dangerous waterway in the world have seemingly become the only political issue most people care about and it is having a drastic impact on voting intentions in Reading.\nThe Rise Of The Right\nThe reaction to nearly fifteen years' rule by our two leading parties (three if you include the coalition ) has left people with crippling taxes, a lack of housing, poor public services, inflation, poor transport and, perhaps above everything else, a lack of growth and hope. And as history shows, when hope dies, hatred has room to grow.\nWith English flags being painted on Reading's streets, support for \u2018nationalism\u2019 and the extreme right is clearly rising even as the town becomes increasingly ethnically integrated. With tens of thousands marching in the streets of London, the rise of facism and racism in the UK is impossible to ignore and is reflected in the proposed voting intentions in our town.\nReading is a wealthy town by UK standards and the ethnic tensions seen elsewhere in the country are not as apparent. It is perhaps telling that the wave of nationalist statements being made are in the poorer areas of our borough.\n\u00a0\n\nHowever there seems to be a wider discontent that may have a fundamental change on the makeup of our local council and representation at Westminster.\nVoting Intentions\nBased on predictions by YouGov and VoteClimate the likely outcome of a general election in Reading if held now would likely be extremely close between Labour and Reform UK, with both parties predicted to receive nearly identical shares of the vote, and the Conservatives trailing slightly behind. The Labour party would almost certainly loose overall control of the council if there was a vote in the near future (the next local election will be in May 2026 when a third of councillors will be up for re-election).\nThe most recent Reading-specific polling estimates for Reading Central and Reading West & Mid Berkshire forecast these approximate results:\n\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Labour 25.5% down from 48.5%\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reform UK 25%\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Conservative 22% down from 37.9%\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Liberal Democrats 13% up from 9%\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Green 8.8% up from 2.8%\n\nThese numbers indicate a highly competitive race between Labour and Reform UK for first place in both main Reading constituencies, with neither the Conservatives nor Liberal Democrats looking likely to win. This sharply contrasts with previous elections in Reading, historically a Labour-Conservative marginal.\nRecent national trends also show Reform UK making significant gains at the expense of both major parties, boosting their chances in marginal urban areas like Reading. An immediate election could result in either a narrow Labour hold or a breakthrough Reform UK win, depending on turnout and tactical voting.\nAnd it has to be pointed out that Reform UK and the Conservative parties have a significantly better record then Labour at having people from a BAME background in senior positions within the party.\n\u00a0\nImproving Ethnic Cohesion\nThe Labour party does seem to be taking some notice of their predicament and in November 2025 is introducting the \u201cClosing the Gap 2\u201d service to act as the strategic lead for local organizations supporting ethnically diverse communities. This initiative is intended to promote joint working, expand outreach, and tackle health and wellbeing inequalities through targeted community support as well as improving front line services to the poorest communities in Reading. The project includes a multi-year funding commitment, enabling outreach initiatives, preventative work, and long-term change designed to improve health outcomes and social inclusion for minority groups, which now perhaps should include marginalised white English communities in our town above all if it is to have any impact on voting intentions.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "Two seemingly contrasting things are going on in Reading \u2013 a significant increase in the ethnic makup of our town and a massive switch away from Labour, traditionally the party representatives of a diverse population. Just walking down Broad Street it quickly becomes apparent that Reading has a highly diverse population. Indeed, the town has probably shifted to become minority white. At a time ...", "date_published": "2025-02-26T14:27:07+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:40.144165+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/4d2befdf.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/4d2befdf.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Labour Losing Multiracial Reading", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1838, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\u00a0
\n\n
\u00a0
\nTwo seemingly contrasting things are going on in Reading \u2013 a significant increase in the ethnic makup of our town and a massive switch away from Labour, traditionally the party representatives of a diverse population.
\nJust walking down Broad Street it quickly becomes apparent that Reading has a highly diverse population. Indeed, the town has probably shifted to become minority white. At a time of increasing tension over immigration, how is this likely to play out in our town ?
\nAt the 2021 Census, 46.5% of Reading's residents identify as belonging to a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, a broad category that includes some white and other ethnic communities. This figure marks a significant increase from the 35% recorded in 2011, illustrating a substantial growth in the town's non-White British population over the decade. The recent significant wave of immigration from China and Africa has probably seen this figure rise even further to likely represent over half the population in 2025.
\nMuch of this has been driven by the active jobs market in the area for IT and healthcare and it's an inconvenient truth that a society with an ageing population becoming iller and lazier by the day, with fewer and fewer children, needs immigration to shore up its wealth and existing standards of living and service delivery in the NHS and elsewhere (34.4% of the staff at the Royal Berkshire Hospital are from a BAME background). Somewhat ironically, due to the way immigration is measured in the UK, Boris Johnson (born in the US) and Nigel Farage's ex wife count as immigrants, as are probably the last few people who looked after you or a member of your family when you were last ill.
\nReading's proportion of BAME residents is among the highest in the South East of England outside of London, just below Slough. Census data is a crude representation of the origin of people living in the U.K., but it does paint a picture of the shifting impact immigration is having on the makeup of our part of the world.
\n
Reading\u2019s Ethnic Makeup
\nWhite British constituted 53.5% of Reading's population in 2021. This was a significant decline from 65.3% in 2011 and is considerably lower than the English average of 73.5%. \u2018Other White\u2019 accounted for 13.7% of Reading's residents in 2021, an increase from 9.5% in 2011, and is again significantly higher than England's 7.5%.
\nIndividuals identifying with a Mixed ethnic background make up 5.1% of Reading's population, rising from 4% in 2011, and exceeding England's average of 3%.
\nThe Indian community represents 6.2% of Reading's population, an increase from 4.2% in 2011, and almost double England's 3.3%, with those from a Pakistani background comprising 4.8% of Reading's residents, up from 4.5% in 2011, and also higher than England's 2.8%. Other Asian accounts for 6.7% of Reading's population, with its significant Nepali population, increasing from 4.9% in 2011, and substantially above England's 3.5%.
\nBlack Caribbeans in our town are actually decreasing making up 1.9% of Reading's population in 2021, showing a slight decrease from 2.1% in 2011, although still higher than England's 1.1%.
\nBlack African represent 4.4% of Reading's residents, this group has grown from 3.9% in 2011 and is notably higher than England's 2.6%, whereas \u2018Black other\u2019 (which largely represents British people of colour) comprises 4.5% of Reading's population, remaining consistent with its 2011 figure of 4.5%, and is higher than England's 2.9%.
\nThe Chinese community at the time of the census accounted for just 1.5% of Reading's population, an increase from 1% in 2011, and higher than England's 0.8%. However a large influx from Hong Kong under right to settle has occurred since then and this figure is now likely to be significantly higher.
\nThe \u2018Other ethnic\u2019 group has seen a notable increase, rising from 1% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2021, and is higher than England's 2.2%. This probably represents the significant Middle Eastern and South American communities in our town.
\nLanguage Diversity
\nMirroring its ethnic diversity, Reading is also rich in linguistic variety. While English remains the predominant language, spoken by 136,436 individuals in 2021 (an increase from 126,690 in 2011), other languages are widely used. During this time a particularly a significant increase was seen in the number of Romanian speakers, rising from 194 in 2011 to 2,642 in 2021. Other prominent languages spoken in Reading in 2021 include Polish (4,154 speakers), Nepalese (4,147), Urdu (1,520), Portuguese (1,512), Spanish (1,264), Italian (1,024), Arabic (985), and Panjabi (968).
\nYet immigration and the relatively small number of people arriving in the UK by crossing the most dangerous waterway in the world have seemingly become the only political issue most people care about and it is having a drastic impact on voting intentions in Reading.
The Rise Of The Right
\nThe reaction to nearly fifteen years' rule by our two leading parties (three if you include the coalition ) has left people with crippling taxes, a lack of housing, poor public services, inflation, poor transport and, perhaps above everything else, a lack of growth and hope. And as history shows, when hope dies, hatred has room to grow.
\nWith English flags being painted on Reading's streets, support for \u2018nationalism\u2019 and the extreme right is clearly rising even as the town becomes increasingly ethnically integrated. With tens of thousands marching in the streets of London, the rise of facism and racism in the UK is impossible to ignore and is reflected in the proposed voting intentions in our town.
\nReading is a wealthy town by UK standards and the ethnic tensions seen elsewhere in the country are not as apparent. It is perhaps telling that the wave of nationalist statements being made are in the poorer areas of our borough.
\n\u00a0
\n
However there seems to be a wider discontent that may have a fundamental change on the makeup of our local council and representation at Westminster.
Voting Intentions
\nBased on predictions by YouGov and VoteClimate the likely outcome of a general election in Reading if held now would likely be extremely close between Labour and Reform UK, with both parties predicted to receive nearly identical shares of the vote, and the Conservatives trailing slightly behind. The Labour party would almost certainly loose overall control of the council if there was a vote in the near future (the next local election will be in May 2026 when a third of councillors will be up for re-election).
\nThe most recent Reading-specific polling estimates for Reading Central and Reading West & Mid Berkshire forecast these approximate results:
\nThese numbers indicate a highly competitive race between Labour and Reform UK for first place in both main Reading constituencies, with neither the Conservatives nor Liberal Democrats looking likely to win. This sharply contrasts with previous elections in Reading, historically a Labour-Conservative marginal.
\nRecent national trends also show Reform UK making significant gains at the expense of both major parties, boosting their chances in marginal urban areas like Reading. An immediate election could result in either a narrow Labour hold or a breakthrough Reform UK win, depending on turnout and tactical voting.
\nAnd it has to be pointed out that Reform UK and the Conservative parties have a significantly better record then Labour at having people from a BAME background in senior positions within the party.
\n\u00a0
\nImproving Ethnic Cohesion
\nThe Labour party does seem to be taking some notice of their predicament and in November 2025 is introducting the \u201cClosing the Gap 2\u201d service to act as the strategic lead for local organizations supporting ethnically diverse communities. This initiative is intended to promote joint working, expand outreach, and tackle health and wellbeing inequalities through targeted community support as well as improving front line services to the poorest communities in Reading. The project includes a multi-year funding commitment, enabling outreach initiatives, preventative work, and long-term change designed to improve health outcomes and social inclusion for minority groups, which now perhaps should include marginalised white English communities in our town above all if it is to have any impact on voting intentions.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Two seemingly contrasting things are going on in Reading \u2013 a significant increase in the ethnic makup of our town and a massive switch away from Labour, traditionally the party representatives of a diverse population. Just walking down Broad Street it quickly becomes apparent that Reading has a highly diverse population. Indeed, the town has probably shifted to become minority white. At a time ...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:40.144165+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT7M", "datePublished": "2025-02-26T14:27:07+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/labour-losing-multiracial-reading/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 7 } }, { "id": "297", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/what-does-ai-mean-for-reading/", "title": "What Does AI Mean For Reading ?", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/fa9f11c3.jpg\")
From nowhere Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken over the headlines, and seems to be impacting many aspects of our lives, so this month inReading is taking a deep dive into the implications this exciting technology is likely to have in Reading and for those of us who live and work in the town.
With a significant tech and service economy and home to major bases for many multinationals such as Oracle, Microsoft and Pepsi, the question is not if AI will transform Reading, but how profoundly.
So, what is AI ? Well, we asked Gemini, Google\u2019s AI assistant to explain:
\n\u201cArtificial Intelligence (AI) essentially teaches computers to mimic human intelligence, enabling them to learn, reason, and solve problems. A key aspect of AI's learning process involves using data to refine its understanding, much like how we update our beliefs with new information. This allows AI to automate tasks, analyze vast datasets, and personalize experiences, leading to advancements in fields like medicine and technology. However, AI also presents challenges. Because AI learns from data, it can inherit and amplify existing biases, potentially leading to unfair outcomes. Additionally, AI often lacks common sense and its decision-making processes can be difficult to understand, raising ethical concerns about its responsible use.\u201d
\nThe one thing to emphasise is that current AI models are based on making the best guess possible, so sometimes get things badly wrong, get confused, do not use common sense and make things up.
\nAI Don't Need No Educashun
In education the impact of AI has been immediately and is profound. After all, if you could get someone to write your homework and coursework at schools, college or university, surely you would do ? So it\u2019s hardly surprising that a study out this week from the Higher Education Policy Institute indicates that 92% of students are using one of the AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot, etc.. in their coursework to some extent or other. However, teachers are equally being given AI tools to both spot \u2018AI cheats\u2019 and to mark papers. The situation is complex and has far reaching consequences for every teacher, lecturer and student.
The University of Reading established a GenAI Working Group in August 2023 to consider its approach to the use of GenAI in teaching and learning. In a study last year, research by the university saw AI-generated answers submitted to examiners on behalf of 33 fake students and results showed it was \"very difficult\" to detect.
On the flip side, there is little doubt that more and more universities will seek to offer courses centered around AI - Reading University is already offering an MSc in Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence (AI) combining the expertise in the Department of Meteorology, Department of Computer Science, the Walker Institute, and Henley Business School. The impact on education is already considerable and, at a time when budgets are under severe pressure and many other negative factors are hitting the sector, education is going to need not only to embrace AI but to quickly get to grips with its profound implications. As a parent in Reading, would you allow your children to use AI to do their homework ?
Big Companies Are Already Adopting AI
\nAnd there are other places where you will have already encountered AI. Bots are taking the place of call centres and having an impact on the many support centres based or operated by companies in our area. Newbury based Vodafone have sought to save costs by replacing all their help functions with the TOBi bot, but a recent test of this AI technology by inReading provedd that it is far from fit for purpose. Expect more frustration, incorrect and nonsensical answers when you try and interact with local, national and international companies as they try to reduce costs further and replace call centres and real people with AI bots.
Reading once used to be known as the UK\u2019s Silicon valley, but the infotech cluster in the town has changed in recent years. Microsoft, a major funder of OpenAI and busily integrating its own Copilot AI into all its product, had its first European base in Reading, but by now is down from five to just one building at its Thames Valley Park Campus, and the reality is that almost all current major AI initiatives are coming out of the US, with the UK in danger of falling badly behind despite having some of the world\u2019s leading AI research coming out of nearby Oxford University (along with Cambridge, Imperial and Google\u2019s Deep Mind based in King\u2019s Cross). There have been local AI startups such as Artelli42 who unfortunately didn\u2019t make it in a very expensive and competitive market, but the better news is that Reading is becoming an important offshore base again for some of the new and old entrants into this market. Global AI companies like Dynatrace and Cloud Factory run their UK operations out offices in the Reading area. Indeed a recent study by Datacity indicated that there were over 170 AI focused companies in the Reading area with over 27,000 employees, including the main chip manufacturer behind the AI revolution, Nvidia which has a large office in Green Park. The good news is that Reading has ranked second or third in the UK in recent studies on places to set up an AI business.
Medical Impact
\nThe biggest new inward investment in recent time has been by pharma giants Sanofi and their new campus on TVP, and medicine is another place where AI is already having a profound impact on this industry, streamlining drug discovery, improving diagnostics, and personalizing treatments. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast datasets to identify potential drug candidates faster and at lower costs than traditional methods, accelerating the development of new medicines. AI also enhances clinical trials by predicting patient responses, reducing failures, and optimizing research processes. This automation and AI-driven analytics are displacing some traditional roles, particularly in research, data entry, and administrative tasks.
\nAnd this rolls out to our local hospitals. It is clear that there are some jobs that AI can\u2019t do such as nursing and personal care. But already there are many robotic systems capable of undertaking surgery such as the da Vinci surgical system and other specialised systems from the likes of Brainlab, Medtronic and STAR for everything from spinal surgery to soft tissue surgery. But if you have a broken leg or a gash from a nasty fall in A&E, don\u2019t expect AI to come to the rescue any time soon.
\nHowever, as it becomes more and more difficult to get GP appointments, AI has proven to be very good at diagnosis such as cancer detection, eye diseases, skin conditions and heart disease. Naturally, there are concerns about the adoption of such technologies - one joke is that AI provides better diagnostics than human doctors 99% of the time, but kills the parient 1% of the time - so finding the right balance in medical settings will be essential. However, with the strains the NHS is under, AI can provide significant benefits in many areas. Away from the \u2018Large Language Models\u2019 that can impressively interact with us as if they were almost super human is the development of \u2018agents\u2019. These are AIs designed to do very specific jobs (scan the Xray and tell me what\u2019s wrong). This is where AI is most likely to impact your life day to day in the near future.\u00a0In reality, as you visit the Royal Berkshire or other local hospitals or even GP surgeries, it is unlikely that you realise that AI is being used at all as it is gradually integrated into treatment patterns and procedures.
\nWIll AI Take Your Job ?
\nBut what about jobs ? Will we ever need to work again ? Well, that depends on what your job involves.
\nSoftware development, a major employer in and around Reading is already becoming automated: routine coding tasks, data analysis, and even aspects of software development will be increasingly handled by machines. This may see a decline in the demand of services based in the town such as the coding giant Wipro.
This could lead to a restructuring of the workforce, with a potential for job displacement in certain areas and possibly even a knock on effects on the local rental market.
In the short term almost all non-physical jobs are under threat. AI can write good marketing copy and generate photographs and videos or even write music. Indeed, the creative sector is particularly threatened. Do you need the massive new Shinfield Studios when sets and even the actors can be AI generated ?
\nDr Dominic Lees, artificial intelligence and synthetic media expert from the University of Reading\u2019s School of Film, Theatre and Television, warns:
\n\u201cThe creative economy is the UK sector that is growing faster than other industries, represents nearly 6% of our GDP, and is hugely impacted by AI, yet the government's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan' appears to sideline it.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cThe commitment to investing in AI 'hardware' is great, but there are 'software' issues to resolve. How will government AI policy protect Intellectual Property, the creative output that powers future growth and income?\u00a0 AI developers threaten to break creators' copyright and IP through internet 'scraping', which could lead to a contraction of the creative sector, not the growth that the government wants.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cThe AI Action Plan fails to address our thousands of creative SMEs and self-employed individuals, mentioning just the big companies. Small businesses are where innovation and growth come from, especially in the creative sector - government AI policy should aim to support them.\u201d
\nProfessional services are also particularly vulnerable \u2013 AI can generate good legal documents (that arguably should be checked by someone qualified), do accountancy and write HR handbooks.
\nAI can also process data, design processes and provide administrative support.
\nHowever, as Brit Professor Stuart Russell of UC Berkeley, a leading voice in AI research, has often stated, \"The future of AI is not about replacing humans, but augmenting them.\"
In Reading, this augmentation will likely manifest in the rise of new roles focused on AI development, maintenance, and ethical oversight. Companies will need individuals skilled in prompt engineering, AI model training, and ensuring algorithmic fairness. This transition will require a substantial investment in reskilling and upskilling, a challenge the local educational establishments will need to be central to addressing. Many local companies such Bracknell headquartered John Lewis are already providing AI orientation courses for their staff and using AI in augmenting day to day tasks.
Even some physical jobs such as taxi, train and lorry drivers are likely to be gradually replaced with automated alternatives. To a great degree this technology already exists and has been operating for some time in American Cities and in trials in the UK in towns like Milton Keynes,
\nThe good news for builders, roofers, carpet layers, care assistants, hairdressers, chefs and nail technicians is that your jobs are unlikely to be impacted in any significant way in the medium term, and this will probably make these already under-populated jobs even more valuable.
\nA report from McKinsey Global Institute on the future of work suggests, \"The demand for social and emotional skills, as well as technological skills, will grow significantly.\"
\nAI For Local Government ?
\nFinally, our local council will face considerable challenges and opportunities. As mentioned, AI is unlikely to be useful for building social housing or caring for children or vulnerable adults, but it can be used to spot benefits cheats, control energy usage and improve traffic flow with better dynamic phasing of traffic lights.
Efficiencies could save money, but the need to invest in new systems and training will be significant cost sinks in the short term.
\n
From nowhere Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken over the headlines, and seems to be impacting many aspects of our lives, so this month inReading is taking a deep dive into the implications this exciting technology is likely to have in Reading and for those of us who live and work in the town.
With a significant tech and service economy and home to major bases for many multinationals such as Oracle, Microsoft and Pepsi, the question is not if AI will transform Reading, but how profoundly.
So, what is AI ? Well, we asked Gemini, Google\u2019s AI assistant to explain:
\n\u201cArtificial Intelligence (AI) essentially teaches computers to mimic human intelligence, enabling them to learn, reason, and solve problems. A key aspect of AI's learning process involves using data to refine its understanding, much like how we update our beliefs with new information. This allows AI to automate tasks, analyze vast datasets, and personalize experiences, leading to advancements in fields like medicine and technology. However, AI also presents challenges. Because AI learns from data, it can inherit and amplify existing biases, potentially leading to unfair outcomes. Additionally, AI often lacks common sense and its decision-making processes can be difficult to understand, raising ethical concerns about its responsible use.\u201d
\nThe one thing to emphasise is that current AI models are based on making the best guess possible, so sometimes get things badly wrong, get confused, do not use common sense and make things up.
\nAI Don't Need No Educashun
In education the impact of AI has been immediately and is profound. After all, if you could get someone to write your homework and coursework at schools, college or university, surely you would do ? So it\u2019s hardly surprising that a study out this week from the Higher Education Policy Institute indicates that 92% of students are using one of the AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot, etc.. in their coursework to some extent or other. However, teachers are equally being given AI tools to both spot \u2018AI cheats\u2019 and to mark papers. The situation is complex and has far reaching consequences for every teacher, lecturer and student.
The University of Reading established a GenAI Working Group in August 2023 to consider its approach to the use of GenAI in teaching and learning. In a study last year, research by the university saw AI-generated answers submitted to examiners on behalf of 33 fake students and results showed it was \"very difficult\" to detect.
On the flip side, there is little doubt that more and more universities will seek to offer courses centered around AI - Reading University is already offering an MSc in Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence (AI) combining the expertise in the Department of Meteorology, Department of Computer Science, the Walker Institute, and Henley Business School. The impact on education is already considerable and, at a time when budgets are under severe pressure and many other negative factors are hitting the sector, education is going to need not only to embrace AI but to quickly get to grips with its profound implications. As a parent in Reading, would you allow your children to use AI to do their homework ?
Big Companies Are Already Adopting AI
\nAnd there are other places where you will have already encountered AI. Bots are taking the place of call centres and having an impact on the many support centres based or operated by companies in our area. Newbury based Vodafone have sought to save costs by replacing all their help functions with the TOBi bot, but a recent test of this AI technology by inReading provedd that it is far from fit for purpose. Expect more frustration, incorrect and nonsensical answers when you try and interact with local, national and international companies as they try to reduce costs further and replace call centres and real people with AI bots.
Reading once used to be known as the UK\u2019s Silicon valley, but the infotech cluster in the town has changed in recent years. Microsoft, a major funder of OpenAI and busily integrating its own Copilot AI into all its product, had its first European base in Reading, but by now is down from five to just one building at its Thames Valley Park Campus, and the reality is that almost all current major AI initiatives are coming out of the US, with the UK in danger of falling badly behind despite having some of the world\u2019s leading AI research coming out of nearby Oxford University (along with Cambridge, Imperial and Google\u2019s Deep Mind based in King\u2019s Cross). There have been local AI startups such as Artelli42 who unfortunately didn\u2019t make it in a very expensive and competitive market, but the better news is that Reading is becoming an important offshore base again for some of the new and old entrants into this market. Global AI companies like Dynatrace and Cloud Factory run their UK operations out offices in the Reading area. Indeed a recent study by Datacity indicated that there were over 170 AI focused companies in the Reading area with over 27,000 employees, including the main chip manufacturer behind the AI revolution, Nvidia which has a large office in Green Park. The good news is that Reading has ranked second or third in the UK in recent studies on places to set up an AI business.
Medical Impact
\nThe biggest new inward investment in recent time has been by pharma giants Sanofi and their new campus on TVP, and medicine is another place where AI is already having a profound impact on this industry, streamlining drug discovery, improving diagnostics, and personalizing treatments. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast datasets to identify potential drug candidates faster and at lower costs than traditional methods, accelerating the development of new medicines. AI also enhances clinical trials by predicting patient responses, reducing failures, and optimizing research processes. This automation and AI-driven analytics are displacing some traditional roles, particularly in research, data entry, and administrative tasks.
\nAnd this rolls out to our local hospitals. It is clear that there are some jobs that AI can\u2019t do such as nursing and personal care. But already there are many robotic systems capable of undertaking surgery such as the da Vinci surgical system and other specialised systems from the likes of Brainlab, Medtronic and STAR for everything from spinal surgery to soft tissue surgery. But if you have a broken leg or a gash from a nasty fall in A&E, don\u2019t expect AI to come to the rescue any time soon.
\nHowever, as it becomes more and more difficult to get GP appointments, AI has proven to be very good at diagnosis such as cancer detection, eye diseases, skin conditions and heart disease. Naturally, there are concerns about the adoption of such technologies - one joke is that AI provides better diagnostics than human doctors 99% of the time, but kills the parient 1% of the time - so finding the right balance in medical settings will be essential. However, with the strains the NHS is under, AI can provide significant benefits in many areas. Away from the \u2018Large Language Models\u2019 that can impressively interact with us as if they were almost super human is the development of \u2018agents\u2019. These are AIs designed to do very specific jobs (scan the Xray and tell me what\u2019s wrong). This is where AI is most likely to impact your life day to day in the near future.\u00a0In reality, as you visit the Royal Berkshire or other local hospitals or even GP surgeries, it is unlikely that you realise that AI is being used at all as it is gradually integrated into treatment patterns and procedures.
\nWIll AI Take Your Job ?
\nBut what about jobs ? Will we ever need to work again ? Well, that depends on what your job involves.
\nSoftware development, a major employer in and around Reading is already becoming automated: routine coding tasks, data analysis, and even aspects of software development will be increasingly handled by machines. This may see a decline in the demand of services based in the town such as the coding giant Wipro.
This could lead to a restructuring of the workforce, with a potential for job displacement in certain areas and possibly even a knock on effects on the local rental market.
In the short term almost all non-physical jobs are under threat. AI can write good marketing copy and generate photographs and videos or even write music. Indeed, the creative sector is particularly threatened. Do you need the massive new Shinfield Studios when sets and even the actors can be AI generated ?
\nDr Dominic Lees, artificial intelligence and synthetic media expert from the University of Reading\u2019s School of Film, Theatre and Television, warns:
\n\u201cThe creative economy is the UK sector that is growing faster than other industries, represents nearly 6% of our GDP, and is hugely impacted by AI, yet the government's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan' appears to sideline it.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cThe commitment to investing in AI 'hardware' is great, but there are 'software' issues to resolve. How will government AI policy protect Intellectual Property, the creative output that powers future growth and income?\u00a0 AI developers threaten to break creators' copyright and IP through internet 'scraping', which could lead to a contraction of the creative sector, not the growth that the government wants.\u00a0\u00a0
\n\u201cThe AI Action Plan fails to address our thousands of creative SMEs and self-employed individuals, mentioning just the big companies. Small businesses are where innovation and growth come from, especially in the creative sector - government AI policy should aim to support them.\u201d
\nProfessional services are also particularly vulnerable \u2013 AI can generate good legal documents (that arguably should be checked by someone qualified), do accountancy and write HR handbooks.
\nAI can also process data, design processes and provide administrative support.
\nHowever, as Brit Professor Stuart Russell of UC Berkeley, a leading voice in AI research, has often stated, \"The future of AI is not about replacing humans, but augmenting them.\"
In Reading, this augmentation will likely manifest in the rise of new roles focused on AI development, maintenance, and ethical oversight. Companies will need individuals skilled in prompt engineering, AI model training, and ensuring algorithmic fairness. This transition will require a substantial investment in reskilling and upskilling, a challenge the local educational establishments will need to be central to addressing. Many local companies such Bracknell headquartered John Lewis are already providing AI orientation courses for their staff and using AI in augmenting day to day tasks.
Even some physical jobs such as taxi, train and lorry drivers are likely to be gradually replaced with automated alternatives. To a great degree this technology already exists and has been operating for some time in American Cities and in trials in the UK in towns like Milton Keynes,
\nThe good news for builders, roofers, carpet layers, care assistants, hairdressers, chefs and nail technicians is that your jobs are unlikely to be impacted in any significant way in the medium term, and this will probably make these already under-populated jobs even more valuable.
\nA report from McKinsey Global Institute on the future of work suggests, \"The demand for social and emotional skills, as well as technological skills, will grow significantly.\"
\nAI For Local Government ?
\nFinally, our local council will face considerable challenges and opportunities. As mentioned, AI is unlikely to be useful for building social housing or caring for children or vulnerable adults, but it can be used to spot benefits cheats, control energy usage and improve traffic flow with better dynamic phasing of traffic lights.
Efficiencies could save money, but the need to invest in new systems and training will be significant cost sinks in the short term.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/3027abd5.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nFrom the original settlers who crossed the land bridge from Europe to the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans, the Thames Valley, with its strategic waterways and fertile lands, has played a role in England\u2019s history and Reading became a significant focal point during the Viking invasions of the late 9th century.\u00a0
\nThe Vikings, primarily from Denmark and Norway, first began raiding England in the late 8th century. Their early attacks were focused on monasteries, such as the infamous sacking of Lindisfarne in 793 AD. Over time, these sporadic raids evolved into full-scale invasions with armies \u2018wintering\u2019 in secure locations in the British Isles.
\nBy the mid-9th century, Viking forces had shifted from plundering coastal sites to deeper inland incursions, making use of rivers such as the Thames to penetrate the heart of England. The Great Heathen Army, a formidable Viking force, landed in England in 865 AD and began a campaign of conquest across the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.\u00a0
\nIn late 870 AD, a significant Viking army, under the command of kings Bagsecg and Halfdan Ragnarsson, arrived in the Thames Valley and established a fortified base in Reading (probably in the area now beyond the prison and Reading Bridge) where they could camp over winter. The town\u2019s location at the confluence of the Thames and Kennet rivers made it an ideal stronghold, providing access to both waterways and fertile lands. Furnished burials at Reading and Sonning, on opposite banks of the Thames, and a hoard of coins deposited \u2018in a coffin\u2019 in St Mary\u2019s churchyard in Reading, have been associated with the are relics of the over-wintering of the army. Once a camp was established the army did not remain closeted there all winter. Raiding forays were made from the camps \u2013 including one in 870 which was encountered by Ealderman \u00c6thelwulf and the Berkshire fyrd (local army or militia). The local villagers literally lived with the enemies at their door.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/44e89010.webp\")
Reading was a critical point for Viking operations because the Thames allowed easy movement of Viking longships, which with their shallow hulls could navigate up the Thames and its rapids, whilst the River Kennet provided additional access to western Saxon lands. Plus, by building a ditch and fortifications facing west into where the current town stands, the location was defensible and well-positioned for further raids into Wessex.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Battle of Reading (4 January 871 AD)
\nKing \u00c6thelred of Wessex and his younger brother, Alfred (later King Alfred the Great), led an army to confront the Vikings at Reading. Initially, Saxon forces scored a minor victory at Englefield, a nearby skirmish led by Ealdorman \u00c6thelwulf. However, the main battle at Reading proved disastrous for the Saxons.
\nThe Vikings' strongly fortified positions using earthworks and trenches and ditches created a formidable barrier between the Thames and Kennet rivers. When the Saxons attacked, they were repelled with heavy losses, and \u00c6thelwulf was killed in the fighting. The Viking victory at Reading marked a crucial moment in their campaign, as it secured their foothold in Wessex - for a while.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Aftermath: The War for Wessex
\nDespite their defeat at Reading, the Saxons continued their resistance. Just days later, the two armies clashed again at the Battle of Ashdown (January 871 AD), where Alfred played a key role in securing a West Saxon victory. However, this did not drive the Vikings out permanently. Over the following years, the Norse forces engaged in a series of battles across Wessex before eventually making peace.
\nBy the late 9th century, the Vikings had carved out significant territories across England, leading to the establishment of the Danelaw. While Wessex remained independent under Alfred\u2019s leadership, Viking influence persisted in the Thames Valley for some time until the massacre of the settled Vikings\u00a0on St Brice's Day in 1002.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Viking Legacy
\nWhile Reading and the surrounding Thames Valley were not part of the long-term Viking-ruled Danelaw, Norse presence in the region influenced trade, culture, and settlement patterns.
\nWhile Viking influence on place names in Berkshire and Oxfordshire is less prominent than in areas like Yorkshire, some Norse-derived names and linguistic influences may have persisted. Place names with the suffix \u201c-thorpe\u201d (a Norse term for a small village) or references to Norse gods are indicators of Viking presence. Vastern (Western)Road is one specific name that has survived the centuries and the word for islands in the Thames \u2013 \u2018eyes\u2019 is of Norse origin.
\nViking-era finds, such as weapons, coins, and tools, have been discovered along the Thames Valley, suggesting trade and minor settlements. Recent discoveries in the region include Norse-style burials and artefacts indicating Viking activity beyond mere military incursions.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/f85c2d5a.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nIn 1895, a Viking iron axehead with remnants of its wooden shaft was discovered in the River Thames at Sonning, near Reading. It is currently displayed in the Story of Reading Gallery at Reading Museum.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2008, during excavations near St John\u2019s College in Oxford, archaeologists uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of 37 individuals. These skeletons, dated to the late 10th or early 11th century, are believed to be Viking raiders who were victims of the St Brice\u2019s Day Massacre 13 November 1002, when King \u00c6thelred the Unready, fearing an imminent Viking uprising, issued a decree to kill all Danes living in England. This was in response to increasing Viking raids and concerns that the Norse settlers might align with incoming Viking armies. This probably marked the end of any significant Viking settlements in the Thames Valley.
\nThere were other legacies, with the Norse incursions into Wessex influencing defensive strategies, leading to the creation of burhs (fortified towns) under Alfred\u2019s rule, and the spread of Viking trade routes and goods through Reading and the Thames Valley helped shape economic networks that endured beyond their presence.
\n\u00a0
\nhttps://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/vikings-reading
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\n\u00a0\nFrom the original settlers who crossed the land bridge from Europe to the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans, the Thames Valley, with its strategic waterways and fertile lands, has played a role in England\u2019s history and Reading became a significant focal point during the Viking invasions of the late 9th century.\u00a0\nThe Vikings, primarily from Denmark and Norway, first began raiding England in the late 8th century. Their early attacks were focused on monasteries, such as the infamous sacking of Lindisfarne in 793 AD. Over time, these sporadic raids evolved into full-scale invasions with armies \u2018wintering\u2019 in secure locations in the British Isles.\nBy the mid-9th century, Viking forces had shifted from plundering coastal sites to deeper inland incursions, making use of rivers such as the Thames to penetrate the heart of England. The Great Heathen Army, a formidable Viking force, landed in England in 865 AD and began a campaign of conquest across the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.\u00a0\nIn late 870 AD, a significant Viking army, under the command of kings Bagsecg and Halfdan Ragnarsson, arrived in the Thames Valley and established a fortified base in Reading (probably in the area now beyond the prison and Reading Bridge) where they could camp over winter. The town\u2019s location at the confluence of the Thames and Kennet rivers made it an ideal stronghold, providing access to both waterways and fertile lands. Furnished burials at Reading and Sonning, on opposite banks of the Thames, and a hoard of coins deposited \u2018in a coffin\u2019 in St Mary\u2019s churchyard in Reading, have been associated with the are relics of the over-wintering of the army. Once a camp was established the army did not remain closeted there all winter. Raiding forays were made from the camps \u2013 including one in 870 which was encountered by Ealderman \u00c6thelwulf and the Berkshire fyrd (local army or militia). The local villagers literally lived with the enemies at their door.\n\nReading was a critical point for Viking operations because the Thames allowed easy movement of Viking longships, which with their shallow hulls could navigate up the Thames and its rapids, whilst the River Kennet provided additional access to western Saxon lands. Plus, by building a ditch and fortifications facing west into where the current town stands, the location was defensible and well-positioned for further raids into Wessex.\n\u00a0\nThe Battle of Reading (4 January 871 AD)\nKing \u00c6thelred of Wessex and his younger brother, Alfred (later King Alfred the Great), led an army to confront the Vikings at Reading. Initially, Saxon forces scored a minor victory at Englefield, a nearby skirmish led by Ealdorman \u00c6thelwulf. However, the main battle at Reading proved disastrous for the Saxons.\nThe Vikings' strongly fortified positions using earthworks and trenches and ditches created a formidable barrier between the Thames and Kennet rivers. When the Saxons attacked, they were repelled with heavy losses, and \u00c6thelwulf was killed in the fighting. The Viking victory at Reading marked a crucial moment in their campaign, as it secured their foothold in Wessex - for a while.\n\u00a0\nThe Aftermath: The War for Wessex\nDespite their defeat at Reading, the Saxons continued their resistance. Just days later, the two armies clashed again at the Battle of Ashdown (January 871 AD), where Alfred played a key role in securing a West Saxon victory. However, this did not drive the Vikings out permanently. Over the following years, the Norse forces engaged in a series of battles across Wessex before eventually making peace.\nBy the late 9th century, the Vikings had carved out significant territories across England, leading to the establishment of the Danelaw. While Wessex remained independent under Alfred\u2019s leadership, Viking influence persisted in the Thames Valley for some time until the massacre of the settled Vikings\u00a0on St Brice's Day in 1002.\n\u00a0\nThe Viking Legacy\nWhile Reading and the surrounding Thames Valley were not part of the long-term Viking-ruled Danelaw, Norse presence in the region influenced trade, culture, and settlement patterns.\nWhile Viking influence on place names in Berkshire and Oxfordshire is less prominent than in areas like Yorkshire, some Norse-derived names and linguistic influences may have persisted. Place names with the suffix \u201c-thorpe\u201d (a Norse term for a small village) or references to Norse gods are indicators of Viking presence. Vastern (Western)Road is one specific name that has survived the centuries and the word for islands in the Thames \u2013 \u2018eyes\u2019 is of Norse origin.\nViking-era finds, such as weapons, coins, and tools, have been discovered along the Thames Valley, suggesting trade and minor settlements. Recent discoveries in the region include Norse-style burials and artefacts indicating Viking activity beyond mere military incursions.\n\n\u00a0\nIn 1895, a Viking iron axehead with remnants of its wooden shaft was discovered in the River Thames at Sonning, near Reading. It is currently displayed in the Story of Reading Gallery at Reading Museum.\u00a0 \n\u00a0\nIn 2008, during excavations near St John\u2019s College in Oxford, archaeologists uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of 37 individuals. These skeletons, dated to the late 10th or early 11th century, are believed to be Viking raiders who were victims of the St Brice\u2019s Day Massacre 13 November 1002, when King \u00c6thelred the Unready, fearing an imminent Viking uprising, issued a decree to kill all Danes living in England. This was in response to increasing Viking raids and concerns that the Norse settlers might align with incoming Viking armies. This probably marked the end of any significant Viking settlements in the Thames Valley.\nThere were other legacies, with the Norse incursions into Wessex influencing defensive strategies, leading to the creation of burhs (fortified towns) under Alfred\u2019s rule, and the spread of Viking trade routes and goods through Reading and the Thames Valley helped shape economic networks that endured beyond their presence.\n\u00a0\nhttps://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/vikings-reading\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "From the original settlers who crossed the land bridge from Europe to the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans, the Thames Valley, with its strategic waterways and fertile lands, has played a role in England\u2019s history and Reading became a significant focal point during the Viking invasions of the late 9th century. The Vikings, primarily from Denmark and Norway, first began raiding England in the ...", "date_published": "2025-01-30T18:41:56+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:38.840713+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/3027abd5.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/3027abd5.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Vikings In Reading", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1254, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\nFrom the original settlers who crossed the land bridge from Europe to the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans, the Thames Valley, with its strategic waterways and fertile lands, has played a role in England\u2019s history and Reading became a significant focal point during the Viking invasions of the late 9th century.\u00a0
\nThe Vikings, primarily from Denmark and Norway, first began raiding England in the late 8th century. Their early attacks were focused on monasteries, such as the infamous sacking of Lindisfarne in 793 AD. Over time, these sporadic raids evolved into full-scale invasions with armies \u2018wintering\u2019 in secure locations in the British Isles.
\nBy the mid-9th century, Viking forces had shifted from plundering coastal sites to deeper inland incursions, making use of rivers such as the Thames to penetrate the heart of England. The Great Heathen Army, a formidable Viking force, landed in England in 865 AD and began a campaign of conquest across the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.\u00a0
\nIn late 870 AD, a significant Viking army, under the command of kings Bagsecg and Halfdan Ragnarsson, arrived in the Thames Valley and established a fortified base in Reading (probably in the area now beyond the prison and Reading Bridge) where they could camp over winter. The town\u2019s location at the confluence of the Thames and Kennet rivers made it an ideal stronghold, providing access to both waterways and fertile lands. Furnished burials at Reading and Sonning, on opposite banks of the Thames, and a hoard of coins deposited \u2018in a coffin\u2019 in St Mary\u2019s churchyard in Reading, have been associated with the are relics of the over-wintering of the army. Once a camp was established the army did not remain closeted there all winter. Raiding forays were made from the camps \u2013 including one in 870 which was encountered by Ealderman \u00c6thelwulf and the Berkshire fyrd (local army or militia). The local villagers literally lived with the enemies at their door.
Reading was a critical point for Viking operations because the Thames allowed easy movement of Viking longships, which with their shallow hulls could navigate up the Thames and its rapids, whilst the River Kennet provided additional access to western Saxon lands. Plus, by building a ditch and fortifications facing west into where the current town stands, the location was defensible and well-positioned for further raids into Wessex.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Battle of Reading (4 January 871 AD)
\nKing \u00c6thelred of Wessex and his younger brother, Alfred (later King Alfred the Great), led an army to confront the Vikings at Reading. Initially, Saxon forces scored a minor victory at Englefield, a nearby skirmish led by Ealdorman \u00c6thelwulf. However, the main battle at Reading proved disastrous for the Saxons.
\nThe Vikings' strongly fortified positions using earthworks and trenches and ditches created a formidable barrier between the Thames and Kennet rivers. When the Saxons attacked, they were repelled with heavy losses, and \u00c6thelwulf was killed in the fighting. The Viking victory at Reading marked a crucial moment in their campaign, as it secured their foothold in Wessex - for a while.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Aftermath: The War for Wessex
\nDespite their defeat at Reading, the Saxons continued their resistance. Just days later, the two armies clashed again at the Battle of Ashdown (January 871 AD), where Alfred played a key role in securing a West Saxon victory. However, this did not drive the Vikings out permanently. Over the following years, the Norse forces engaged in a series of battles across Wessex before eventually making peace.
\nBy the late 9th century, the Vikings had carved out significant territories across England, leading to the establishment of the Danelaw. While Wessex remained independent under Alfred\u2019s leadership, Viking influence persisted in the Thames Valley for some time until the massacre of the settled Vikings\u00a0on St Brice's Day in 1002.
\n\u00a0
\nThe Viking Legacy
\nWhile Reading and the surrounding Thames Valley were not part of the long-term Viking-ruled Danelaw, Norse presence in the region influenced trade, culture, and settlement patterns.
\nWhile Viking influence on place names in Berkshire and Oxfordshire is less prominent than in areas like Yorkshire, some Norse-derived names and linguistic influences may have persisted. Place names with the suffix \u201c-thorpe\u201d (a Norse term for a small village) or references to Norse gods are indicators of Viking presence. Vastern (Western)Road is one specific name that has survived the centuries and the word for islands in the Thames \u2013 \u2018eyes\u2019 is of Norse origin.
\nViking-era finds, such as weapons, coins, and tools, have been discovered along the Thames Valley, suggesting trade and minor settlements. Recent discoveries in the region include Norse-style burials and artefacts indicating Viking activity beyond mere military incursions.
\u00a0
\nIn 1895, a Viking iron axehead with remnants of its wooden shaft was discovered in the River Thames at Sonning, near Reading. It is currently displayed in the Story of Reading Gallery at Reading Museum.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nIn 2008, during excavations near St John\u2019s College in Oxford, archaeologists uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of 37 individuals. These skeletons, dated to the late 10th or early 11th century, are believed to be Viking raiders who were victims of the St Brice\u2019s Day Massacre 13 November 1002, when King \u00c6thelred the Unready, fearing an imminent Viking uprising, issued a decree to kill all Danes living in England. This was in response to increasing Viking raids and concerns that the Norse settlers might align with incoming Viking armies. This probably marked the end of any significant Viking settlements in the Thames Valley.
\nThere were other legacies, with the Norse incursions into Wessex influencing defensive strategies, leading to the creation of burhs (fortified towns) under Alfred\u2019s rule, and the spread of Viking trade routes and goods through Reading and the Thames Valley helped shape economic networks that endured beyond their presence.
\n\u00a0
\nhttps://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/vikings-reading
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "From the original settlers who crossed the land bridge from Europe to the Romans, the Saxons and the Normans, the Thames Valley, with its strategic waterways and fertile lands, has played a role in England\u2019s history and Reading became a significant focal point during the Viking invasions of the late 9th century. The Vikings, primarily from Denmark and Norway, first began raiding England in the ...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:38.840713+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2025-01-30T18:41:56+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-vikings-in-reading/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "295", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/creperie-doux-sourire/", "title": "Eating Out - Creperie Doux Sourire", "content_html": "\r\n
Nothing delights me more than seeing tides rolling back and a Starbucks in the middle of town becoming a lovely little French creperie. And, of all places, this has happened in the corporate culinary centre that is Oracle Riverside.
It should be a great location, opposite Vue cinema and a stride from all those high street chains in The Oracle and right on the River Kennet, but the cinema is soon to shut down and more massive towers of flats put where Carter & Miller once traded. Such is the relentless march of capitalism.
So, welcome, Doux Sourire ('sweet smile'). Just entering this lovely new addition to our towns culinary scene had me smiling on a rainy January day.
It is a creperie. Crepes being that wonderful foodstuff that is the daughter of the omelette and the flatbread.
I was catching up with the lovely Phil Creighton, former editor of Reading Today and the most experienced and most respected journo in our town. He was running a tad late, so I dried out with a very nice cappuccino. Flexibility is the only way forward for pubs and restaurants now and I can see myself coming here regularly for a coffee, a glass of wine or a meal, or just a sweet pancake for the kids, at any time of the day or evening.
They truly offer things that aren't available anywhere else in Reading. Crepes, galettes (that's buckwheat crepes), boozy hot drinks (yes!), cheese and wine flights, milkshakes with booze.
Indeed, you can get an Oreo shake with Bailey's for breakfast! This is, of course, above and beyond all else, what the Reading culinary scene has been missing.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/0dfb2996.jpg\")
The menu is short, savoury and sweet with a few specials chalked up on the blackboard. There is a soup and a salad, but everything else comes wrapped in those French delights - what we would erroneously call pancakes.
Ah, pancakes! They have been with us for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that our ancestors apparently cooked primitive versions of pancakes as early as the Stone Age. These early pancakes were likely simple flatbreads made from ground grains mixed with water, then cooked on hot stones or in rudimentary pans. Bread or pancakes or omelettes ? Who knows.
In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes began to resemble the more sophisticated forms we recognize today. Greek poets mentioned \"teganites\" and \"tag\u0113nit\u0113s,\" thin pancakes made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. The Romans, enjoyed similar creations, often flavored with spices and sweetened with honey. You could buy them in fast food joints at Pompeii, provided that you weren't covered with molten ash.
During the medieval period, pancakes became a staple across Europe, adapting to regional ingredients and traditions. Eggs and milk were added to the mix, creating a richer, more pliable batter. Pancakes also became associated with Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day), a tradition that persists. The custom arose as a way to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the Lenten fast.
By the Renaissance, pancakes had diversified even further. Cookbooks from the era mention recipes for pancakes flavored with spices, rosewater, and wine.
France - or rather, Brittany (hail fellow Celts!) - has contributed two of the most iconic variations of pancakes: the crêpe and the galette. The Welsh word for pancakes is crempog, in case you were interested in Celtic entymology.
Pancakes come in many forms but crêpes are thin, lacy pancakes made from wheat flour, milk, eggs, and butter. They can be sweet or savory, filled with everything from Nutella and strawberries to ham and cheese.
The galette, also hailing from Brittany, is a heartier cousin to the crêpe. Made with buckwheat flour, galettes are naturally gluten-free and often filled with savory ingredients like eggs, cheese, and sausage. Their rustic flavor and versatility.
They have been a staple of my life for decades. For the nearly thirty years I lived in Hampstead in London there was the famous crepe stand on the High Street, and then, living in the Marais in Paris we had the Breizh Café around the corner. Ah, cider and crepes in the shadow of the Picasso Museum.
But back to rainy, freezing Reading and Creperie Doux Sourire.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/f6b41ce6.jpg\")
The owner proudly came over as soon as I sat down to let me know that all dishes were now available as galettes for a £2 surcharge.
I love the slightly bitter texture of buckwheat, so I has the Galette Breton - the most traditional of pancakes from Brittany with cheese and ham. I also ordered the red pepper soup to warm myself up and to round off the review. Phil went for the Paysan, being the man of the people that he is, which is basically the same dish as I had with spinach instead of ham and flour instead of buckwheat. This is fast food, French style... But he did make them take away the tomato from the accompanying salad. Phil doesn't do tomatoes.
In fact, we agreed that the salad was all just a bit pointless and the basalmic dressing was a bit cloying. Crepes are bland and soft and gooey. Leave them alone. Who has salad with pizza? I would argue to drop the salad or have it as a side and chop a quid or two off the price of the crepes. Perhaps it would have gone down better in summer, and it does make for better photographs in our Insta world where you seem to be able to do nothing without making Zuckerberg richer. Of course, Phil and I fell into our usual discussion of how Google and Meta have destroyed local media (and much else) as we munched away.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7c070889.jpg\")
Now, eager as I was to catch up with Reading's leading hack, I didn't read the menu properly. I have never seen a Breton Crepe with mushrooms and my crepe had far too many mushrooms. They drowned the cheese and ham. The soup was poor - I'd had a red pepper soup the previous week at my friend Katie's in Wales which she had thickened with sweet potato and was much better than this rather bitter, watery dish that needed some more umph.
Phil, however, loved his meal and, despite my minor criticisms, I thoroughly enjoyed mine.
Conscious of our girths, and with other appointments to attend, we failed to try any sweet offerings, where crepes often come into their own. Nutella, banana and ice cream on a crepe ? Now we're talking.
So let me make an offer. If any of you, dear readers go and consume one of these dessert delights, do write to us with your impressions and I will edit this review with your review.
I may have come over as a bit down on the food at Creperie Doux Sourise but I truly had a lovely lunch and this will be a go to place in future. Especially since I messaged the menu to my French wife, who immediately decided that this is her favourite place in Reading to eat before ever visiting.
Go and eat pancake, drink wine, or even have an Oreo milkshake with Bailey's for breakfast. This lovely little restaurant enrichens our town and deserves all of our support.
\r\n
Nothing delights me more than seeing tides rolling back and a Starbucks in the middle of town becoming a lovely little French creperie. And, of all places, this has happened in the corporate culinary centre that is Oracle Riverside.
It should be a great location, opposite Vue cinema and a stride from all those high street chains in The Oracle and right on the River Kennet, but the cinema is soon to shut down and more massive towers of flats put where Carter & Miller once traded. Such is the relentless march of capitalism.
So, welcome, Doux Sourire ('sweet smile'). Just entering this lovely new addition to our towns culinary scene had me smiling on a rainy January day.
It is a creperie. Crepes being that wonderful foodstuff that is the daughter of the omelette and the flatbread.
I was catching up with the lovely Phil Creighton, former editor of Reading Today and the most experienced and most respected journo in our town. He was running a tad late, so I dried out with a very nice cappuccino. Flexibility is the only way forward for pubs and restaurants now and I can see myself coming here regularly for a coffee, a glass of wine or a meal, or just a sweet pancake for the kids, at any time of the day or evening.
They truly offer things that aren't available anywhere else in Reading. Crepes, galettes (that's buckwheat crepes), boozy hot drinks (yes!), cheese and wine flights, milkshakes with booze.
Indeed, you can get an Oreo shake with Bailey's for breakfast! This is, of course, above and beyond all else, what the Reading culinary scene has been missing.
The menu is short, savoury and sweet with a few specials chalked up on the blackboard. There is a soup and a salad, but everything else comes wrapped in those French delights - what we would erroneously call pancakes.
Ah, pancakes! They have been with us for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that our ancestors apparently cooked primitive versions of pancakes as early as the Stone Age. These early pancakes were likely simple flatbreads made from ground grains mixed with water, then cooked on hot stones or in rudimentary pans. Bread or pancakes or omelettes ? Who knows.
In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes began to resemble the more sophisticated forms we recognize today. Greek poets mentioned \"teganites\" and \"tag\u0113nit\u0113s,\" thin pancakes made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. The Romans, enjoyed similar creations, often flavored with spices and sweetened with honey. You could buy them in fast food joints at Pompeii, provided that you weren't covered with molten ash.
During the medieval period, pancakes became a staple across Europe, adapting to regional ingredients and traditions. Eggs and milk were added to the mix, creating a richer, more pliable batter. Pancakes also became associated with Shrove Tuesday (or Pancake Day), a tradition that persists. The custom arose as a way to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the Lenten fast.
By the Renaissance, pancakes had diversified even further. Cookbooks from the era mention recipes for pancakes flavored with spices, rosewater, and wine.
France - or rather, Brittany (hail fellow Celts!) - has contributed two of the most iconic variations of pancakes: the crêpe and the galette. The Welsh word for pancakes is crempog, in case you were interested in Celtic entymology.
Pancakes come in many forms but crêpes are thin, lacy pancakes made from wheat flour, milk, eggs, and butter. They can be sweet or savory, filled with everything from Nutella and strawberries to ham and cheese.
The galette, also hailing from Brittany, is a heartier cousin to the crêpe. Made with buckwheat flour, galettes are naturally gluten-free and often filled with savory ingredients like eggs, cheese, and sausage. Their rustic flavor and versatility.
They have been a staple of my life for decades. For the nearly thirty years I lived in Hampstead in London there was the famous crepe stand on the High Street, and then, living in the Marais in Paris we had the Breizh Café around the corner. Ah, cider and crepes in the shadow of the Picasso Museum.
But back to rainy, freezing Reading and Creperie Doux Sourire.
\r\n
The owner proudly came over as soon as I sat down to let me know that all dishes were now available as galettes for a £2 surcharge.
I love the slightly bitter texture of buckwheat, so I has the Galette Breton - the most traditional of pancakes from Brittany with cheese and ham. I also ordered the red pepper soup to warm myself up and to round off the review. Phil went for the Paysan, being the man of the people that he is, which is basically the same dish as I had with spinach instead of ham and flour instead of buckwheat. This is fast food, French style... But he did make them take away the tomato from the accompanying salad. Phil doesn't do tomatoes.
In fact, we agreed that the salad was all just a bit pointless and the basalmic dressing was a bit cloying. Crepes are bland and soft and gooey. Leave them alone. Who has salad with pizza? I would argue to drop the salad or have it as a side and chop a quid or two off the price of the crepes. Perhaps it would have gone down better in summer, and it does make for better photographs in our Insta world where you seem to be able to do nothing without making Zuckerberg richer. Of course, Phil and I fell into our usual discussion of how Google and Meta have destroyed local media (and much else) as we munched away.
\r\n
Now, eager as I was to catch up with Reading's leading hack, I didn't read the menu properly. I have never seen a Breton Crepe with mushrooms and my crepe had far too many mushrooms. They drowned the cheese and ham. The soup was poor - I'd had a red pepper soup the previous week at my friend Katie's in Wales which she had thickened with sweet potato and was much better than this rather bitter, watery dish that needed some more umph.
Phil, however, loved his meal and, despite my minor criticisms, I thoroughly enjoyed mine.
Conscious of our girths, and with other appointments to attend, we failed to try any sweet offerings, where crepes often come into their own. Nutella, banana and ice cream on a crepe ? Now we're talking.
So let me make an offer. If any of you, dear readers go and consume one of these dessert delights, do write to us with your impressions and I will edit this review with your review.
I may have come over as a bit down on the food at Creperie Doux Sourise but I truly had a lovely lunch and this will be a go to place in future. Especially since I messaged the menu to my French wife, who immediately decided that this is her favourite place in Reading to eat before ever visiting.
Go and eat pancake, drink wine, or even have an Oreo milkshake with Bailey's for breakfast. This lovely little restaurant enrichens our town and deserves all of our support.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/67e72a30.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nOrganisers of Reading\u2019s first alcohol free comedy night say it will be just the same, but without the tipples.
\nThe first of a new series of comedy nights launches in Woodley this weekend, and organisers won\u2019t be raising a glass to it if it\u2019s successful: there won\u2019t be a drop of alcohol served.
\nFor many, a visit to a comedy club means getting a few beers in and enjoying some laughs through the lens of alcohol. And it\u2019s not just the guests: Dave Allen based his act not on stand-up, but sitting down with a glass of Scotch and cigarette \u2013 possibly the most famous comedian linked with booze.
\nOn Friday, January 31, the Oakwood Centre in Woodley will be full of the sound of laughter but not clinking glasses. And if it goes well, the alcohol-free comedy night will be the first of many.
\nThe event is in every respect a normal comedy night organised by Laughter Craft Comedy, a familiar name across Reading. The company, run by Jonathan Elston, brings many famous names to the area and performs at a range of venues Milk bar in Reading town centre, and venues in Spencers Wood, Twyford, Goring, and Purley-on-Thames.
\nAmong the many comics he works with are Matt Richardson, Paul Tonkinson, Fiona Allen, and Sara Pascoe, along with some up-and-coming stars of tomorrow.
\nSuch is the quality of his comedy nights that many are sold out with waiting lists in place to meet demand.
\nAnd that includes this debut event that will bring Dry January to a close.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/e5ae0827.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nWho will be performing at A Dry Sense of Humour?
\nLaughter Craft\u2019s A Dry Sense Of Humour comedy night will be held at the Alan Cornish Theatre in The Oakwood Centre in Woodley from 8pm on Friday, January 31.
\nThe event will be hosted by comedian Jonathan Elston, who will bring some belly laughs between the two other acts.
\nOpening the show will be Cally Beaton, a podcaster and speaker as well as a comic.
\nShe has worked as a senior vice-president for US broadcaster ViacomCBS, and had a hand in bringing South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants to our screens. And it was while working for Comedy Central channel that she started doing her own stand-up \u2026 thanks to a chance encounter with Joan Rivers.
\nShe has since appeared on QI and The Apprentice: You\u2019re Fired, Live At The Apollo, Countdown and Richard Osman\u2019s House of Games.
\nThe headliner will be Steve Wiliams, who has appeared on Russell Howard\u2019s Good News, Tonight at the Palladium, and Stand Up Comedy Central, as well as touring extensively, opening for Russell Howard on his tours.
\nMetro has described him as one of the UK\u2019s finest comedians.
\nTickets have sold out, but some returns may be available.
\nFor more details, log on to:\u00a0https://wegottickets.com/event/637475
\n\u00a0
\nSo why launch an alcohol-free comedy night?
\nWoodley man Tony Worsdall is the catalyst for organising a dry comedy night.
\nAt the start of January 2020, he made a decision to give up alcohol himself. Just weeks before the covid pandemic saw the world go into lockdowns, it could have been looked on as a foolish decision. But Tony has made the most of it and now helps coach others wanting to go on a similar journey.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/4b5287bb.jpg\")
By his own admission, he started drinking when he was a teenager, joining friends \u201cdrinking in the fields long before Ed Sheeran made a song about it\u201d, he says.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s always been there as part of my professional and home life for the best part of 50 years, and I have never really been comfortable with that. I never had a rock-bottom moment, but there have possible been a few things I would rather forget, if I could remember them.\u201d
\nGiving up wasn\u2019t an overnight decision: it was a gradual one taken over 10 years, with much research including reading books and listening to podcasts, taking on short-term challenges, such as 30 days without a drink, before taking the plunge.
\n\u201cI made this decision. It was either not drinking or carry on drinking. I\u2019d open a bottle of wine, and it never goes back in the fridge. That level of drinking was never going to serve me well.\u201d
\nCovid arrived in these shores just weeks after Tony made that decision, and he had no regrets not even as we were in lockdowns.
\n\u201cIn hindsight it was a very wise decision for a lot of reasons, but so many people saw their drinking go off the scale during lockdown. I didn\u2019t even contemplate it.\u201d
\nThe former management consultant worked for local authorities before changing paths, and this set him in good steed for\u00a0www.sobersixty.com, which offers coaching and support for people wanting to make changes to their lifestyle.
\nAnd there is a demand. Industry organisation Drinkaware UK says that three in 10 UK drinkers are now open to drinking non-alcoholic beer, wine or spirit substitutes, up from 25% in 2023 and 18% in 2018, and over three-quarters (77%) of those who do so feel it is effective as a moderation technique, while supermarkets now have whole sections devoted to non-alcoholic tipples.
\n\u201cIn the five years before I quit drinking, I\u2019d been coaching and mentoring various other people, not around sobriety, but around their chosen careers. That was part of the process to decide I was going to be a sobriety coach and work with people who had decided to change their relationships with alcohol.\u201d
\nTony had been going to the Laughter Craft comedy nights held in Woodley for a couple of years. Originally launched in the Crumbs caf\u00e9, they regularly sold out the venue, forcing a move to the Oakwood Centre.
\n\u201cIt was great to see people coming out on a Wednesday night in Woodley and having a laugh,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is not a lot to do in evening in Woodley for people of our age, so going to the comedy nights was quite good fun. There have been some really good acts there, and some good nights \u2013 they\u2019ve always been quite raucous, and appeal to my sense of humour.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve always had great value for money.\u201d
\nAnd it was through this that he met Jonathan, who he describes as \u201ca bloody good comedian\u201d. They had a conversation about Tony\u2019s work as a sober coach and how London has a growing dry comedy scene.
\nThere is one thing that Tony is promising about the event: it\u2019ll just be about the jokes.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a comedy night that happens to be alcohol free. I\u2019m not going to be standing up and preaching to anyone \u2026 it\u2019s nothing different from another comedy night, and the comedian won\u2019t be telling sober jokes.\u201d
\nWell \u2026 unless they\u2019ve got a dry sense of humour.
", "content_text": "\n\n\u00a0\nOrganisers of Reading\u2019s first alcohol free comedy night say it will be just the same, but without the tipples.\nThe first of a new series of comedy nights launches in Woodley this weekend, and organisers won\u2019t be raising a glass to it if it\u2019s successful: there won\u2019t be a drop of alcohol served.\nFor many, a visit to a comedy club means getting a few beers in and enjoying some laughs through the lens of alcohol. And it\u2019s not just the guests: Dave Allen based his act not on stand-up, but sitting down with a glass of Scotch and cigarette \u2013 possibly the most famous comedian linked with booze.\nOn Friday, January 31, the Oakwood Centre in Woodley will be full of the sound of laughter but not clinking glasses. And if it goes well, the alcohol-free comedy night will be the first of many.\nThe event is in every respect a normal comedy night organised by Laughter Craft Comedy, a familiar name across Reading. The company, run by Jonathan Elston, brings many famous names to the area and performs at a range of venues Milk bar in Reading town centre, and venues in Spencers Wood, Twyford, Goring, and Purley-on-Thames.\nAmong the many comics he works with are Matt Richardson, Paul Tonkinson, Fiona Allen, and Sara Pascoe, along with some up-and-coming stars of tomorrow.\nSuch is the quality of his comedy nights that many are sold out with waiting lists in place to meet demand.\nAnd that includes this debut event that will bring Dry January to a close.\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nWho will be performing at A Dry Sense of Humour?\nLaughter Craft\u2019s A Dry Sense Of Humour comedy night will be held at the Alan Cornish Theatre in The Oakwood Centre in Woodley from 8pm on Friday, January 31.\nThe event will be hosted by comedian Jonathan Elston, who will bring some belly laughs between the two other acts.\nOpening the show will be Cally Beaton, a podcaster and speaker as well as a comic.\nShe has worked as a senior vice-president for US broadcaster ViacomCBS, and had a hand in bringing South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants to our screens. And it was while working for Comedy Central channel that she started doing her own stand-up \u2026 thanks to a chance encounter with Joan Rivers.\nShe has since appeared on QI and The Apprentice: You\u2019re Fired, Live At The Apollo, Countdown and Richard Osman\u2019s House of Games.\nThe headliner will be Steve Wiliams, who has appeared on Russell Howard\u2019s Good News, Tonight at the Palladium, and Stand Up Comedy Central, as well as touring extensively, opening for Russell Howard on his tours.\nMetro has described him as one of the UK\u2019s finest comedians.\nTickets have sold out, but some returns may be available.\nFor more details, log on to:\u00a0https://wegottickets.com/event/637475\n\u00a0\nSo why launch an alcohol-free comedy night?\nWoodley man Tony Worsdall is the catalyst for organising a dry comedy night.\nAt the start of January 2020, he made a decision to give up alcohol himself. Just weeks before the covid pandemic saw the world go into lockdowns, it could have been looked on as a foolish decision. But Tony has made the most of it and now helps coach others wanting to go on a similar journey.\n\u00a0\n\nBy his own admission, he started drinking when he was a teenager, joining friends \u201cdrinking in the fields long before Ed Sheeran made a song about it\u201d, he says.\n\u201cIt\u2019s always been there as part of my professional and home life for the best part of 50 years, and I have never really been comfortable with that. I never had a rock-bottom moment, but there have possible been a few things I would rather forget, if I could remember them.\u201d\nGiving up wasn\u2019t an overnight decision: it was a gradual one taken over 10 years, with much research including reading books and listening to podcasts, taking on short-term challenges, such as 30 days without a drink, before taking the plunge.\n\u201cI made this decision. It was either not drinking or carry on drinking. I\u2019d open a bottle of wine, and it never goes back in the fridge. That level of drinking was never going to serve me well.\u201d\nCovid arrived in these shores just weeks after Tony made that decision, and he had no regrets not even as we were in lockdowns.\n\u201cIn hindsight it was a very wise decision for a lot of reasons, but so many people saw their drinking go off the scale during lockdown. I didn\u2019t even contemplate it.\u201d\nThe former management consultant worked for local authorities before changing paths, and this set him in good steed for\u00a0www.sobersixty.com, which offers coaching and support for people wanting to make changes to their lifestyle.\nAnd there is a demand. Industry organisation Drinkaware UK says that three in 10 UK drinkers are now open to drinking non-alcoholic beer, wine or spirit substitutes, up from 25% in 2023 and 18% in 2018, and over three-quarters (77%) of those who do so feel it is effective as a moderation technique, while supermarkets now have whole sections devoted to non-alcoholic tipples.\n\u201cIn the five years before I quit drinking, I\u2019d been coaching and mentoring various other people, not around sobriety, but around their chosen careers. That was part of the process to decide I was going to be a sobriety coach and work with people who had decided to change their relationships with alcohol.\u201d\nTony had been going to the Laughter Craft comedy nights held in Woodley for a couple of years. Originally launched in the Crumbs caf\u00e9, they regularly sold out the venue, forcing a move to the Oakwood Centre.\n\u201cIt was great to see people coming out on a Wednesday night in Woodley and having a laugh,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is not a lot to do in evening in Woodley for people of our age, so going to the comedy nights was quite good fun. There have been some really good acts there, and some good nights \u2013 they\u2019ve always been quite raucous, and appeal to my sense of humour.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve always had great value for money.\u201d\nAnd it was through this that he met Jonathan, who he describes as \u201ca bloody good comedian\u201d. They had a conversation about Tony\u2019s work as a sober coach and how London has a growing dry comedy scene.\nThere is one thing that Tony is promising about the event: it\u2019ll just be about the jokes.\n\u201cIt\u2019s a comedy night that happens to be alcohol free. I\u2019m not going to be standing up and preaching to anyone \u2026 it\u2019s nothing different from another comedy night, and the comedian won\u2019t be telling sober jokes.\u201d\nWell \u2026 unless they\u2019ve got a dry sense of humour.", "summary": "Organisers of Reading\u2019s first alcohol free comedy night say it will be just the same, but without the tipples. The first of a new series of comedy nights launches in Woodley this weekend, and organisers won\u2019t be raising a glass to it if it\u2019s successful: there won\u2019t be a drop of alcohol served. For many, a visit to a comedy club means getting a few beers in and enjoying some laughs through the l...", "date_published": "2025-01-30T17:14:37+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:36.533648+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/67e72a30.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/67e72a30.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Dry Humour In Woodley", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1458, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\nOrganisers of Reading\u2019s first alcohol free comedy night say it will be just the same, but without the tipples.
\nThe first of a new series of comedy nights launches in Woodley this weekend, and organisers won\u2019t be raising a glass to it if it\u2019s successful: there won\u2019t be a drop of alcohol served.
\nFor many, a visit to a comedy club means getting a few beers in and enjoying some laughs through the lens of alcohol. And it\u2019s not just the guests: Dave Allen based his act not on stand-up, but sitting down with a glass of Scotch and cigarette \u2013 possibly the most famous comedian linked with booze.
\nOn Friday, January 31, the Oakwood Centre in Woodley will be full of the sound of laughter but not clinking glasses. And if it goes well, the alcohol-free comedy night will be the first of many.
\nThe event is in every respect a normal comedy night organised by Laughter Craft Comedy, a familiar name across Reading. The company, run by Jonathan Elston, brings many famous names to the area and performs at a range of venues Milk bar in Reading town centre, and venues in Spencers Wood, Twyford, Goring, and Purley-on-Thames.
\nAmong the many comics he works with are Matt Richardson, Paul Tonkinson, Fiona Allen, and Sara Pascoe, along with some up-and-coming stars of tomorrow.
\nSuch is the quality of his comedy nights that many are sold out with waiting lists in place to meet demand.
\nAnd that includes this debut event that will bring Dry January to a close.
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nWho will be performing at A Dry Sense of Humour?
\nLaughter Craft\u2019s A Dry Sense Of Humour comedy night will be held at the Alan Cornish Theatre in The Oakwood Centre in Woodley from 8pm on Friday, January 31.
\nThe event will be hosted by comedian Jonathan Elston, who will bring some belly laughs between the two other acts.
\nOpening the show will be Cally Beaton, a podcaster and speaker as well as a comic.
\nShe has worked as a senior vice-president for US broadcaster ViacomCBS, and had a hand in bringing South Park and SpongeBob SquarePants to our screens. And it was while working for Comedy Central channel that she started doing her own stand-up \u2026 thanks to a chance encounter with Joan Rivers.
\nShe has since appeared on QI and The Apprentice: You\u2019re Fired, Live At The Apollo, Countdown and Richard Osman\u2019s House of Games.
\nThe headliner will be Steve Wiliams, who has appeared on Russell Howard\u2019s Good News, Tonight at the Palladium, and Stand Up Comedy Central, as well as touring extensively, opening for Russell Howard on his tours.
\nMetro has described him as one of the UK\u2019s finest comedians.
\nTickets have sold out, but some returns may be available.
\nFor more details, log on to:\u00a0https://wegottickets.com/event/637475
\n\u00a0
\nSo why launch an alcohol-free comedy night?
\nWoodley man Tony Worsdall is the catalyst for organising a dry comedy night.
\nAt the start of January 2020, he made a decision to give up alcohol himself. Just weeks before the covid pandemic saw the world go into lockdowns, it could have been looked on as a foolish decision. But Tony has made the most of it and now helps coach others wanting to go on a similar journey.
\n\u00a0
\n
By his own admission, he started drinking when he was a teenager, joining friends \u201cdrinking in the fields long before Ed Sheeran made a song about it\u201d, he says.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s always been there as part of my professional and home life for the best part of 50 years, and I have never really been comfortable with that. I never had a rock-bottom moment, but there have possible been a few things I would rather forget, if I could remember them.\u201d
\nGiving up wasn\u2019t an overnight decision: it was a gradual one taken over 10 years, with much research including reading books and listening to podcasts, taking on short-term challenges, such as 30 days without a drink, before taking the plunge.
\n\u201cI made this decision. It was either not drinking or carry on drinking. I\u2019d open a bottle of wine, and it never goes back in the fridge. That level of drinking was never going to serve me well.\u201d
\nCovid arrived in these shores just weeks after Tony made that decision, and he had no regrets not even as we were in lockdowns.
\n\u201cIn hindsight it was a very wise decision for a lot of reasons, but so many people saw their drinking go off the scale during lockdown. I didn\u2019t even contemplate it.\u201d
\nThe former management consultant worked for local authorities before changing paths, and this set him in good steed for\u00a0www.sobersixty.com, which offers coaching and support for people wanting to make changes to their lifestyle.
\nAnd there is a demand. Industry organisation Drinkaware UK says that three in 10 UK drinkers are now open to drinking non-alcoholic beer, wine or spirit substitutes, up from 25% in 2023 and 18% in 2018, and over three-quarters (77%) of those who do so feel it is effective as a moderation technique, while supermarkets now have whole sections devoted to non-alcoholic tipples.
\n\u201cIn the five years before I quit drinking, I\u2019d been coaching and mentoring various other people, not around sobriety, but around their chosen careers. That was part of the process to decide I was going to be a sobriety coach and work with people who had decided to change their relationships with alcohol.\u201d
\nTony had been going to the Laughter Craft comedy nights held in Woodley for a couple of years. Originally launched in the Crumbs caf\u00e9, they regularly sold out the venue, forcing a move to the Oakwood Centre.
\n\u201cIt was great to see people coming out on a Wednesday night in Woodley and having a laugh,\u201d he says. \u201cThere is not a lot to do in evening in Woodley for people of our age, so going to the comedy nights was quite good fun. There have been some really good acts there, and some good nights \u2013 they\u2019ve always been quite raucous, and appeal to my sense of humour.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve always had great value for money.\u201d
\nAnd it was through this that he met Jonathan, who he describes as \u201ca bloody good comedian\u201d. They had a conversation about Tony\u2019s work as a sober coach and how London has a growing dry comedy scene.
\nThere is one thing that Tony is promising about the event: it\u2019ll just be about the jokes.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a comedy night that happens to be alcohol free. I\u2019m not going to be standing up and preaching to anyone \u2026 it\u2019s nothing different from another comedy night, and the comedian won\u2019t be telling sober jokes.\u201d
\nWell \u2026 unless they\u2019ve got a dry sense of humour.
", "description": "Organisers of Reading\u2019s first alcohol free comedy night say it will be just the same, but without the tipples. The first of a new series of comedy nights launches in Woodley this weekend, and organisers won\u2019t be raising a glass to it if it\u2019s successful: there won\u2019t be a drop of alcohol served. For many, a visit to a comedy club means getting a few beers in and enjoying some laughs through the l...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:36.533648+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT6M", "datePublished": "2025-01-30T17:14:37+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/dry-humour-in-woodley/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 6 } }, { "id": "293", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/readings-top-sport/", "title": "Reading's Top Sport ?", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/e8038a02.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nReading has a proud sporting history and punches above its size in many sporting fields. Now, we all know what the most popular sport in Reading is. Despite the woes besetting our local club, Reading FC still regularly draws crowds of over 10,000. But what is the most successful sport locally ?
This is a good question for a Reading pub quiz (if there are still any pubs open to hold quizzes...): at what sport does Reading rank highest in England ?
Well your investigative journalists here at inReading have delved deep and hard, and here's a current list at the end of January 2025:
Reading has a great sporting legacy. Here's a look at everything apart from association football.
Rowing and Water Sports
Reading's strategic position along the River Thames has established it as a prominent center for rowing. The Reading Rowing Club, founded in 1867, is among the oldest in the country. The Reading Amateur Regatta, initiated in 1842, is a significant event in the rowing calendar, attracting competitors from various regions. The Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, situated near Sonning Eye between Caversham and Sonning, serves as a premier training facility for the British Olympic rowing team. Named after celebrated Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, the lake was officially opened in April 2006. There's a good chance you will have even passed an Olympic medallist jogging on our local roads and pathways without realising.
Rugby
Rugby has been played in Reading for over 120 years, and the town has a proud history of producing talented players. The first rugby club in Reading was founded in 1898, and the town has since been home to a number of successful clubs, including Reading RFC, Rams RFC, and Reading Abbey RFC. Of course, the town had the top flight London Irish exiles in residence for nearly twenty years before they moved back to London and squbsequently imploded.
Reading RFC is the oldest rugby club in the town, founded in 1898 by a group of local businessmen. The club's first game was played against a team from London, and Reading won 19-6. The club has since gone on to win numerous trophies, including the Berkshire Cup on 12 occasions.
Current top club, Rams RFC was founded in 1924 by former pupils of Reading School as Readingensians RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 1 (Level 3 rugby) in 2018-19 where it has challenged for promotion ever since.
Reading Abbey RFC was founded in 1956 by a group of players who had left Reading RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 2 South (Level 4 rugby) in 2017-18.
Reading has also produced a number of talented rugby players over the years. Some of the most notable include Mike Tewkesbury, who was a member of the England team that won the Grand Slam in 1992, Ben Cohen who played for Reading RFC and England in the 2000s - he was a member of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 - and Tom Wood, who played for Reading Abbey RFC and was a member of the England team that won the Six Nations Championship in 2016.
Between them, the three leading sides in Reading put out over thirty teams and over 500 regular players.
Cricket
Cricket has deep roots in Reading. The Reading Cricket Club was a dominant force in amateur cricket between 1961 and 1986, culminating in two appearances at Lord's: the 1979 Scarborough Cricket Club Haig Cup Final and the 1985 Old Hill Cricket Club William Younger Cup Final.
Berkshire County Cricket Club (BCCC), established on 17 March 1895, has been a prominent player in England's minor counties cricket scene. The club joined the Minor Counties Championship in 1896 and has since achieved significant success, winning ten National Counties Championship Titles in 1924, 1928, 1953, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (shared), as well as many Cup victories and a single NCCA T20 Championship in 2018. The club's home fixtures are hosted at various grounds, including Sonning Lane in Reading.
Athletics
Founded in 1881, the Reading Athletic Club has produced several notable athletes. Ann Packer secured Britain's first female Olympic gold in the 800m at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Kathy Smallwood-Cook emerged as Britain's fastest female sprinter, achieving significant success in the 1980s.
The Reading Half Marathon, inaugurated in 1983, has become one of the UK's premier running events, attracting elite and amateur runners alike.
Cycling
The Reading Cycling Club, established in the 19th century, has been instrumental in promoting the sport locally. The town's Palmer Park Velodrome, an outdoor track, played a pivotal role in developing British cyclists before its closure and there has been pressure to re-instigate it, although it was absent from the recent redevelopment of the sports facilities in East Reading.
Hockey
Perhaps above all other sports, Reading has long been a powerhouse in English hockey, with both men's and women's teams achieving national dominance and producing world-class players who have shone on the international stage. At the heart of this success is Reading Hockey Club, founded in 1904 and based at Sonning Lane, which has built a formidable reputation over the decades.
The men\u2019s team has enjoyed a golden era in domestic hockey, winning multiple National League titles, with triumphs in 1996\u201397, 2000\u201301, 2001\u201302, 2006\u201307, 2007\u201308, and 2011\u201312. Their dominance extended to cup competitions, securing the National Cup on no fewer than ten occasions, including in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
The women\u2019s side has been just as successful, claiming National League championships in 2010\u201311 and 2012\u201313. This period of success saw them compete at the highest level in European club competitions. They currently stand at second place nationally.
However, Reading\u2019s influence extends far beyond domestic honours. The club has been home to some of the most celebrated players in British hockey history. Among them, Kate Richardson-Walsh, who captained Great Britain to a historic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, remains one of the sport\u2019s most inspiring figures. Alongside her, Helen Richardson-Walsh was a pivotal member of that same Olympic-winning squad, cementing her place as one of the country\u2019s finest midfielders.
Another star to emerge from Reading is Alex Danson, one of Britain\u2019s greatest ever forwards. A key figure in the national team for over a decade, she played an instrumental role in the gold medal triumph in Rio. Meanwhile, the Mantell brothers, Simon and Richard, also enjoyed distinguished international careers, representing both England and Great Britain at multiple Olympics and World Cups.
Beyond Reading Hockey Club, the town also boasts Phoenix Reading Hockey Club, a community-driven outfit that provides opportunities for players of all levels, from grassroots to competitive leagues and the University of Reading Hockey Club has played a crucial role in developing young talent, many of whom have gone on to represent local and national teams.
Basketball
The Reading Rockets are a more recent success as a semi-professional basketball club established in 1997. In their inaugural season, the Rockets clinched promotion from Division 3, marking the beginning of a series of successes. Over the years, they have secured multiple titles, including three NBL Division 1 League Championships in the 2008\u201309, 2012\u201313, and 2013\u201314 seasons. Their impressive trophy cabinet also boasts five National Cup victories, with the most recent triumph in the 2024\u201325 season. The club currently stands second in the country, although it remains to be seen if the team will become one of the franchises joining the new Super League Basketball competition starting later this year.
The club's commitment to nurturing talent is evident through its comprehensive player development programs. In partnership with the John Madejski Academy, the Rockets launched an elite basketball program in 2013, offering young athletes a pathway to refine their skills and compete at higher levels.
The Rockets' roster has featured notable players who have significantly contributed to the team's success. One such standout is Mitch Clarke, an Australian guard who joined the team in August 2023. Clarke made an immediate impact, delivering stellar performances throughout the season. On January 19, 2025, he recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, leading the Rockets to a National Cup Final victory over the Hemel Storm.
Beyond the men's team, the Reading Rockets have expanded their horizons by establishing a women's team and a wheelchair basketball team, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport. The club's community outreach programs further emphasize their dedication to using basketball as a tool for positive social impact.
Of course, there are a wide range of other sports played to a high standard in our town. Reading hosts several tennis clubs, including the Caversham Lawn Tennis Club, fostering local talent and hosting regional tournaments. There are many local golf courses (see the directory).
Teams like the Reading Knights have represented the town in British American football leagues and is now a University team and the town long had a GAA (Irish) football side, St Anthony's. Another defunct sport is speedway, where Bulmershe Raceway was once a venue for speedway and stock car racing.
But if you feel like getting involved in sport, then check out our directory of local sport clubs below.
If we've missed out your club then get in touch with us and we'll add you to our directory.
\n
\u00a0
\nReading has a proud sporting history and punches above its size in many sporting fields. Now, we all know what the most popular sport in Reading is. Despite the woes besetting our local club, Reading FC still regularly draws crowds of over 10,000. But what is the most successful sport locally ?
This is a good question for a Reading pub quiz (if there are still any pubs open to hold quizzes...): at what sport does Reading rank highest in England ?
Well your investigative journalists here at inReading have delved deep and hard, and here's a current list at the end of January 2025:
Reading has a great sporting legacy. Here's a look at everything apart from association football.
Rowing and Water Sports
Reading's strategic position along the River Thames has established it as a prominent center for rowing. The Reading Rowing Club, founded in 1867, is among the oldest in the country. The Reading Amateur Regatta, initiated in 1842, is a significant event in the rowing calendar, attracting competitors from various regions. The Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, situated near Sonning Eye between Caversham and Sonning, serves as a premier training facility for the British Olympic rowing team. Named after celebrated Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, the lake was officially opened in April 2006. There's a good chance you will have even passed an Olympic medallist jogging on our local roads and pathways without realising.
Rugby
Rugby has been played in Reading for over 120 years, and the town has a proud history of producing talented players. The first rugby club in Reading was founded in 1898, and the town has since been home to a number of successful clubs, including Reading RFC, Rams RFC, and Reading Abbey RFC. Of course, the town had the top flight London Irish exiles in residence for nearly twenty years before they moved back to London and squbsequently imploded.
Reading RFC is the oldest rugby club in the town, founded in 1898 by a group of local businessmen. The club's first game was played against a team from London, and Reading won 19-6. The club has since gone on to win numerous trophies, including the Berkshire Cup on 12 occasions.
Current top club, Rams RFC was founded in 1924 by former pupils of Reading School as Readingensians RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 1 (Level 3 rugby) in 2018-19 where it has challenged for promotion ever since.
Reading Abbey RFC was founded in 1956 by a group of players who had left Reading RFC. The club has also enjoyed success in recent years, and it won promotion to National League 2 South (Level 4 rugby) in 2017-18.
Reading has also produced a number of talented rugby players over the years. Some of the most notable include Mike Tewkesbury, who was a member of the England team that won the Grand Slam in 1992, Ben Cohen who played for Reading RFC and England in the 2000s - he was a member of the England team that won the World Cup in 2003 - and Tom Wood, who played for Reading Abbey RFC and was a member of the England team that won the Six Nations Championship in 2016.
Between them, the three leading sides in Reading put out over thirty teams and over 500 regular players.
Cricket
Cricket has deep roots in Reading. The Reading Cricket Club was a dominant force in amateur cricket between 1961 and 1986, culminating in two appearances at Lord's: the 1979 Scarborough Cricket Club Haig Cup Final and the 1985 Old Hill Cricket Club William Younger Cup Final.
Berkshire County Cricket Club (BCCC), established on 17 March 1895, has been a prominent player in England's minor counties cricket scene. The club joined the Minor Counties Championship in 1896 and has since achieved significant success, winning ten National Counties Championship Titles in 1924, 1928, 1953, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 (shared), as well as many Cup victories and a single NCCA T20 Championship in 2018. The club's home fixtures are hosted at various grounds, including Sonning Lane in Reading.
Athletics
Founded in 1881, the Reading Athletic Club has produced several notable athletes. Ann Packer secured Britain's first female Olympic gold in the 800m at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Kathy Smallwood-Cook emerged as Britain's fastest female sprinter, achieving significant success in the 1980s.
The Reading Half Marathon, inaugurated in 1983, has become one of the UK's premier running events, attracting elite and amateur runners alike.
Cycling
The Reading Cycling Club, established in the 19th century, has been instrumental in promoting the sport locally. The town's Palmer Park Velodrome, an outdoor track, played a pivotal role in developing British cyclists before its closure and there has been pressure to re-instigate it, although it was absent from the recent redevelopment of the sports facilities in East Reading.
Hockey
Perhaps above all other sports, Reading has long been a powerhouse in English hockey, with both men's and women's teams achieving national dominance and producing world-class players who have shone on the international stage. At the heart of this success is Reading Hockey Club, founded in 1904 and based at Sonning Lane, which has built a formidable reputation over the decades.
The men\u2019s team has enjoyed a golden era in domestic hockey, winning multiple National League titles, with triumphs in 1996\u201397, 2000\u201301, 2001\u201302, 2006\u201307, 2007\u201308, and 2011\u201312. Their dominance extended to cup competitions, securing the National Cup on no fewer than ten occasions, including in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
The women\u2019s side has been just as successful, claiming National League championships in 2010\u201311 and 2012\u201313. This period of success saw them compete at the highest level in European club competitions. They currently stand at second place nationally.
However, Reading\u2019s influence extends far beyond domestic honours. The club has been home to some of the most celebrated players in British hockey history. Among them, Kate Richardson-Walsh, who captained Great Britain to a historic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, remains one of the sport\u2019s most inspiring figures. Alongside her, Helen Richardson-Walsh was a pivotal member of that same Olympic-winning squad, cementing her place as one of the country\u2019s finest midfielders.
Another star to emerge from Reading is Alex Danson, one of Britain\u2019s greatest ever forwards. A key figure in the national team for over a decade, she played an instrumental role in the gold medal triumph in Rio. Meanwhile, the Mantell brothers, Simon and Richard, also enjoyed distinguished international careers, representing both England and Great Britain at multiple Olympics and World Cups.
Beyond Reading Hockey Club, the town also boasts Phoenix Reading Hockey Club, a community-driven outfit that provides opportunities for players of all levels, from grassroots to competitive leagues and the University of Reading Hockey Club has played a crucial role in developing young talent, many of whom have gone on to represent local and national teams.
Basketball
The Reading Rockets are a more recent success as a semi-professional basketball club established in 1997. In their inaugural season, the Rockets clinched promotion from Division 3, marking the beginning of a series of successes. Over the years, they have secured multiple titles, including three NBL Division 1 League Championships in the 2008\u201309, 2012\u201313, and 2013\u201314 seasons. Their impressive trophy cabinet also boasts five National Cup victories, with the most recent triumph in the 2024\u201325 season. The club currently stands second in the country, although it remains to be seen if the team will become one of the franchises joining the new Super League Basketball competition starting later this year.
The club's commitment to nurturing talent is evident through its comprehensive player development programs. In partnership with the John Madejski Academy, the Rockets launched an elite basketball program in 2013, offering young athletes a pathway to refine their skills and compete at higher levels.
The Rockets' roster has featured notable players who have significantly contributed to the team's success. One such standout is Mitch Clarke, an Australian guard who joined the team in August 2023. Clarke made an immediate impact, delivering stellar performances throughout the season. On January 19, 2025, he recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, leading the Rockets to a National Cup Final victory over the Hemel Storm.
Beyond the men's team, the Reading Rockets have expanded their horizons by establishing a women's team and a wheelchair basketball team, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the sport. The club's community outreach programs further emphasize their dedication to using basketball as a tool for positive social impact.
Of course, there are a wide range of other sports played to a high standard in our town. Reading hosts several tennis clubs, including the Caversham Lawn Tennis Club, fostering local talent and hosting regional tournaments. There are many local golf courses (see the directory).
Teams like the Reading Knights have represented the town in British American football leagues and is now a University team and the town long had a GAA (Irish) football side, St Anthony's. Another defunct sport is speedway, where Bulmershe Raceway was once a venue for speedway and stock car racing.
But if you feel like getting involved in sport, then check out our directory of local sport clubs below.
If we've missed out your club then get in touch with us and we'll add you to our directory.
\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/a2ffc64f.jpg\")
We barely notice as we cross over or under them in our day-to-day activities, but sitting at the confluence of two major rivers and bisected by one of Europe's busiest railway lines, Reading is a town both defined and confined by its crossings.\u00a0
Its history has been shaped by the bridges that span its waters, or sit across road and rail links, facilitating trade, and accommodating an ever-growing population.\u00a0
From medieval wooden crossings to Victorian ironworks and modern pedestrian walkways, they play an essential part in the town's infrastructure, as well as causing problems and challenges for travellers and those tasked with maintaining them and remain controversial, with proposals to build a third major crossing over the Thames an ongoing subject of dispute.
Earliest Crossings
It is believed that the earliest crossings in Reading were simple wooden structures maintained by the local abbey and then feudal lords who controlled movement and levied tolls.
The earliest recorded bridge in Reading was a wooden structure that crossed the River Kennet at what is now Duke Street. Built during the medieval period, this bridge was crucial for connecting the town with the south, enabling goods and people to move efficiently. However, wooden bridges were susceptible to flooding and decay, leading to the need for frequent repairs and replacements.
Reading\u2019s proximity to the River Thames also necessitated the construction of a crossing over this major waterway and trade route. The first known bridge over the Thames near Reading was Caversham Bridge and might have been a joint endeavour between Sir William Marshal, who controlled the lands in Caversham to the North, and the abbot at Reading Abbey, whose lands stood on the south bank towards the end of the twelfth century or beginning of the thirteenth. Originally a wooden structure, it was first recorded in the 13th century and underwent several reconstructions. The bridge was not just critical in connecting Reading with Caversham, but also in providing a north south trade route between the ports on the south coast and Oxford and beyond.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/361e74e3.webp\")
The bridge was contended during the civil war and remained a wooden drawbridge when depicted in Turner\u2019s Caversham Bridge with Cattle in the Water in 1807.
In 1869 it was replaced with a more robust iron lattice and stone structure, better suited to the increasing traffic demands. The new bridge reflected advances in engineering and materials, allowing for greater durability and a more efficient transportation network.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/981609f5.jpg\")
The old Caversham Bridge
This, in turn, was replaced by the modern bridge on the site opened by Edward Prince of Wales in 1926.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/6a8b4eb1.jpg\")
The new Caversham Bridge
The site of the original crossing on the Kennet, Bridge Street, was formerly known as Seven Bridges, taking its name from the seven bridges that carried it over various channels of the River Kennet and located in the old Saxon part of the town. Bridge Street now connects Southampton Street (formerly known as St Giles' Street) to the south, with St Mary's Butts to the north.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/fc10ded8.jpg\")
John Speed's map of 1611 showing the 'Seven Bridges' area
It is thought that this location was chosen as a crossing point due to the shallow streams being easier to build upon, rather than the deeper water downstream at the point where High Bridge is built or the marshland upstream.
Further west, the High Bridge, completed in 1788, is one of the oldest surviving crossings over the Kennet. Its Georgian design, featuring brick and stone arches, replaced an earlier medieval bridge. Once a key route for Reading\u2019s bustling trade, it links Duke Street, to its north, and London Street, to its south. High Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across the Kennet and is a grade II listed building. It comprises a single arch of vermiculated Portland stone, with a plain keystone of ashlar.
The bridge forms the downstream limit of the Brewery Gut, a particularly narrow stretch of the river, and, situated as it is on a blind bend on the river, itself provides a challenge for navigation. For this reason, navigation under the bridge and through the Brewery Gut is controlled by a set of traffic lights on a one-way basis.
The King\u2019s Reach iron footbridge just downstream has been permanently closed due to a lack of funds for its upkeep, a perennial challenge for those tasked with the upkeep of our crossings.
The bridge probably provided ready access to the Abbey from the south and can be seen on John Speed's map of 1611. In 1707 a new wooden bridge was constructed on the site, and in 1788, the timber-framed bridge was replaced with a stone bridge able to handle wagon traffic generated by the flourishing textile industry and built at a cost of \u00a33,500.
For much of its life, the current bridge formed the downstream limit of the stretch of the River Kennet dominated by the presence of Simonds Brewery, along with the Reading Buses depot on the opposite bank. A new bridge servicing the retail outlets of The Oracle was added when it was built.
Canal, Rail & Road
\nBy the 19th century, Reading was transforming into a key industrial and railway hub, necessitating new infrastructure to accommodate the demands of the modern era. Three developments changed the town\u2019s landscape forever and necessitated the building of many of the new often nameless bridges we have in the town. The first was the Kennet and Avon canal, built between 1794 and 1810, then the advent of Islamabad Kingdom Brunel\u2019s Great Western Railway in 1840 and finally, with the advent of the motor era, the construction of the IDR in 1969.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/22822f11.jpg\")
Horseshoe Bridge at Kennetmouth
\u00a0
\nThe Kennet and Avon Canal resulted in the construction of additional bridges over the Kennet to facilitate transport by road and canal. Bridges such as the now listed Horseshoe Bridge were built to enable horses drawing the canal boats to move up and down river on the Thames.
\nPerhaps no development changed Reading\u2019s landscape more dramatically than the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1840. Under the vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Reading became a key station on the London-to-Bristol line, leading to the construction of railway bridges that still define the town\u2019s skyline today.
The railway was laid via cuttings at Chervil and Woodley and was then elevated through the town. The Reading Viaduct, a series of large brick arches carrying the railway over the River Kennet and the town center, effectively cut the town in half, separating its centre from the river, so providing throughways via bridges was essential. Over the Kennet mouth two rail bridges were constructed \u2013 the Horseshoe Railway Bridge and the Electric Railway Bridge (the Jolly Angler footbridge near the pub of the same name was added to facilitate access for gas workers to either side of the Kennet).
Further west, the Coley Viaduct, constructed in the 1850s, served the now-defunct Coley Branch Line, once used to transport goods to and from Reading\u2019s bustling industrial districts. Though the line is long abandoned, the viaduct remains as a reminder of the town\u2019s industrial past.
Another Thames Crossing
A narrow footbridge across the top of the weir at Caversham Lock, known locally as The Clappers, provided a supplementary pedestrian route, especially between the terraced housing of Lower Caversham and the factory of Huntley & Palmers, but was becoming increasingly congested. A census in 1905 recorded 4836 pedestrians, 19 trucks, 130 bicycles and 70 prams in one day!
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2a151ae1.jpg\")
View from Clappers' Bridge
In 1871, the Corporation of Reading had obtained permission to build a swing bridge across the river just above Caversham Lock, but this was never done. However in 1911, Caversham was absorbed into the borough of Reading, and as part of the 1911 Extension Order (the parliamentary permission for this absorption), the Corporation was required to construct a footbridge between Caversham and De Bohun Road in Reading. The following year the Corporation successfully obtained permission to replace this proposed footbridge with a wider road bridge.
The original plan was for a steel suspension structure, but in 1913 this was revised to an arched bridge built of the, then new, material of reinforced concrete. Whilst more expensive than the steel structure, it had the advantage of reduced maintenance costs and resilience to corrosion and also confer on Reading a modern landmark in the form of an elegant structure in a new material.
The actual building of the bridge was delayed by the outbreak of the First World War, but the construction contracts were finally let in 1922. The building work, by Holloway Brothers, started in March of that year, and the bridge opened on 3 October 1923. It has a single reinforced concrete main span of 180 feet (55 m), which was, at the time of construction, the longest such span in the United Kingdom and remained the longest reinforced concrete span in the United Kingdom until 1928.
By 2013 the bridge was carrying 24,000 vehicles each day and was still only one of two road crossing over the Thames in Reading and the bridge was strengthened by being filled with foam concrete, and carbon fibre plates were used to strengthen the structure. It celebrated its centenary in 2023.
The bold vision of the building of the IDR in the 1960s must have seemed like a motorist\u2019s paradise at the time, but has bedevilled the town ever since and its contribution to the bridge naming was equally uninspiring with names such as the Inner Distribution Road Bridge No4 and Reading Relief Road Bridge.
\nBut a town severed east to west by three major obstructions when many people want to travel south to north (or vice versa) is always going to be seeking ways to alleviate travel bottlenecks.
\n
The most recent footbridge is Christchurch Bridge, a striking pedestrian and cycle bridge completed in 2015. Designed to reduce congestion on Caversham Bridge, it features a single, asymmetrical mast and sweeping cables, offering a sleek contrast to the historic bridges nearby.
Another recent development was the expansion of Cow Lane Bridges, a notorious bottleneck for much of the 20th century. Originally built as narrow railway underpasses, the bridges were a constant source of frustration for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. In 2019, after years of delays and planning disputes, the bridges were finally expanded, significantly improving traffic flow between the western suburbs and the town center.
Future Crossings
Reading\u2019s ongoing growth continues to spark discussions about new crossings. With plans for additional footbridges, cycle routes, and improved rail infrastructure, the town faces the challenge of preserving its historical character while meeting the demands of a 21st-century economy.
In particular, plans for a third Thames bridge in Reading continue to ignite controversy, with neighbouring councils firmly opposing the project championed by Reading Borough Council. The proposed crossing, intended to alleviate traffic congestion, has become a battleground for local authorities.
Reading Borough Council's transport strategy 2040 includes the construction of a new bridge linking Thames Valley Park in Earley, Wokingham Borough, to Caversham Park Road and Henley Road, bordering South Oxfordshire. Council representatives state that the bridge would reduce pressure on existing crossings, Reading Bridge and Caversham Bridge, and improve regional connectivity.
South Oxfordshire and Wokingham Councils and the. Parish Councils in Kidmore End, Eye & Dunsden, Binfield Heath, Stoke Row, Sonning Common and Highmoor have all voiced strong objections, citing concerns about increased traffic through the Chilterns National Landscape traffic funnelled onto rural roads, harming the environment and disrupting local communities. Concerns have also been raised regarding the increased traffic flow that would be generated on roads within the town.
\u00a0
\n\n
We barely notice as we cross over or under them in our day-to-day activities, but sitting at the confluence of two major rivers and bisected by one of Europe's busiest railway lines, Reading is a town both defined and confined by its crossings.\u00a0
Its history has been shaped by the bridges that span its waters, or sit across road and rail links, facilitating trade, and accommodating an ever-growing population.\u00a0
From medieval wooden crossings to Victorian ironworks and modern pedestrian walkways, they play an essential part in the town's infrastructure, as well as causing problems and challenges for travellers and those tasked with maintaining them and remain controversial, with proposals to build a third major crossing over the Thames an ongoing subject of dispute.
Earliest Crossings
It is believed that the earliest crossings in Reading were simple wooden structures maintained by the local abbey and then feudal lords who controlled movement and levied tolls.
The earliest recorded bridge in Reading was a wooden structure that crossed the River Kennet at what is now Duke Street. Built during the medieval period, this bridge was crucial for connecting the town with the south, enabling goods and people to move efficiently. However, wooden bridges were susceptible to flooding and decay, leading to the need for frequent repairs and replacements.
Reading\u2019s proximity to the River Thames also necessitated the construction of a crossing over this major waterway and trade route. The first known bridge over the Thames near Reading was Caversham Bridge and might have been a joint endeavour between Sir William Marshal, who controlled the lands in Caversham to the North, and the abbot at Reading Abbey, whose lands stood on the south bank towards the end of the twelfth century or beginning of the thirteenth. Originally a wooden structure, it was first recorded in the 13th century and underwent several reconstructions. The bridge was not just critical in connecting Reading with Caversham, but also in providing a north south trade route between the ports on the south coast and Oxford and beyond.
The bridge was contended during the civil war and remained a wooden drawbridge when depicted in Turner\u2019s Caversham Bridge with Cattle in the Water in 1807.
In 1869 it was replaced with a more robust iron lattice and stone structure, better suited to the increasing traffic demands. The new bridge reflected advances in engineering and materials, allowing for greater durability and a more efficient transportation network.
The old Caversham Bridge
This, in turn, was replaced by the modern bridge on the site opened by Edward Prince of Wales in 1926.
\n
The new Caversham Bridge
The site of the original crossing on the Kennet, Bridge Street, was formerly known as Seven Bridges, taking its name from the seven bridges that carried it over various channels of the River Kennet and located in the old Saxon part of the town. Bridge Street now connects Southampton Street (formerly known as St Giles' Street) to the south, with St Mary's Butts to the north.
John Speed's map of 1611 showing the 'Seven Bridges' area
It is thought that this location was chosen as a crossing point due to the shallow streams being easier to build upon, rather than the deeper water downstream at the point where High Bridge is built or the marshland upstream.
Further west, the High Bridge, completed in 1788, is one of the oldest surviving crossings over the Kennet. Its Georgian design, featuring brick and stone arches, replaced an earlier medieval bridge. Once a key route for Reading\u2019s bustling trade, it links Duke Street, to its north, and London Street, to its south. High Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge across the Kennet and is a grade II listed building. It comprises a single arch of vermiculated Portland stone, with a plain keystone of ashlar.
The bridge forms the downstream limit of the Brewery Gut, a particularly narrow stretch of the river, and, situated as it is on a blind bend on the river, itself provides a challenge for navigation. For this reason, navigation under the bridge and through the Brewery Gut is controlled by a set of traffic lights on a one-way basis.
The King\u2019s Reach iron footbridge just downstream has been permanently closed due to a lack of funds for its upkeep, a perennial challenge for those tasked with the upkeep of our crossings.
The bridge probably provided ready access to the Abbey from the south and can be seen on John Speed's map of 1611. In 1707 a new wooden bridge was constructed on the site, and in 1788, the timber-framed bridge was replaced with a stone bridge able to handle wagon traffic generated by the flourishing textile industry and built at a cost of \u00a33,500.
For much of its life, the current bridge formed the downstream limit of the stretch of the River Kennet dominated by the presence of Simonds Brewery, along with the Reading Buses depot on the opposite bank. A new bridge servicing the retail outlets of The Oracle was added when it was built.
Canal, Rail & Road
\nBy the 19th century, Reading was transforming into a key industrial and railway hub, necessitating new infrastructure to accommodate the demands of the modern era. Three developments changed the town\u2019s landscape forever and necessitated the building of many of the new often nameless bridges we have in the town. The first was the Kennet and Avon canal, built between 1794 and 1810, then the advent of Islamabad Kingdom Brunel\u2019s Great Western Railway in 1840 and finally, with the advent of the motor era, the construction of the IDR in 1969.
Horseshoe Bridge at Kennetmouth
\u00a0
\nThe Kennet and Avon Canal resulted in the construction of additional bridges over the Kennet to facilitate transport by road and canal. Bridges such as the now listed Horseshoe Bridge were built to enable horses drawing the canal boats to move up and down river on the Thames.
\nPerhaps no development changed Reading\u2019s landscape more dramatically than the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1840. Under the vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Reading became a key station on the London-to-Bristol line, leading to the construction of railway bridges that still define the town\u2019s skyline today.
The railway was laid via cuttings at Chervil and Woodley and was then elevated through the town. The Reading Viaduct, a series of large brick arches carrying the railway over the River Kennet and the town center, effectively cut the town in half, separating its centre from the river, so providing throughways via bridges was essential. Over the Kennet mouth two rail bridges were constructed \u2013 the Horseshoe Railway Bridge and the Electric Railway Bridge (the Jolly Angler footbridge near the pub of the same name was added to facilitate access for gas workers to either side of the Kennet).
Further west, the Coley Viaduct, constructed in the 1850s, served the now-defunct Coley Branch Line, once used to transport goods to and from Reading\u2019s bustling industrial districts. Though the line is long abandoned, the viaduct remains as a reminder of the town\u2019s industrial past.
Another Thames Crossing
A narrow footbridge across the top of the weir at Caversham Lock, known locally as The Clappers, provided a supplementary pedestrian route, especially between the terraced housing of Lower Caversham and the factory of Huntley & Palmers, but was becoming increasingly congested. A census in 1905 recorded 4836 pedestrians, 19 trucks, 130 bicycles and 70 prams in one day!
View from Clappers' Bridge
In 1871, the Corporation of Reading had obtained permission to build a swing bridge across the river just above Caversham Lock, but this was never done. However in 1911, Caversham was absorbed into the borough of Reading, and as part of the 1911 Extension Order (the parliamentary permission for this absorption), the Corporation was required to construct a footbridge between Caversham and De Bohun Road in Reading. The following year the Corporation successfully obtained permission to replace this proposed footbridge with a wider road bridge.
The original plan was for a steel suspension structure, but in 1913 this was revised to an arched bridge built of the, then new, material of reinforced concrete. Whilst more expensive than the steel structure, it had the advantage of reduced maintenance costs and resilience to corrosion and also confer on Reading a modern landmark in the form of an elegant structure in a new material.
The actual building of the bridge was delayed by the outbreak of the First World War, but the construction contracts were finally let in 1922. The building work, by Holloway Brothers, started in March of that year, and the bridge opened on 3 October 1923. It has a single reinforced concrete main span of 180 feet (55 m), which was, at the time of construction, the longest such span in the United Kingdom and remained the longest reinforced concrete span in the United Kingdom until 1928.
By 2013 the bridge was carrying 24,000 vehicles each day and was still only one of two road crossing over the Thames in Reading and the bridge was strengthened by being filled with foam concrete, and carbon fibre plates were used to strengthen the structure. It celebrated its centenary in 2023.
The bold vision of the building of the IDR in the 1960s must have seemed like a motorist\u2019s paradise at the time, but has bedevilled the town ever since and its contribution to the bridge naming was equally uninspiring with names such as the Inner Distribution Road Bridge No4 and Reading Relief Road Bridge.
\nBut a town severed east to west by three major obstructions when many people want to travel south to north (or vice versa) is always going to be seeking ways to alleviate travel bottlenecks.
\n
The most recent footbridge is Christchurch Bridge, a striking pedestrian and cycle bridge completed in 2015. Designed to reduce congestion on Caversham Bridge, it features a single, asymmetrical mast and sweeping cables, offering a sleek contrast to the historic bridges nearby.
Another recent development was the expansion of Cow Lane Bridges, a notorious bottleneck for much of the 20th century. Originally built as narrow railway underpasses, the bridges were a constant source of frustration for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. In 2019, after years of delays and planning disputes, the bridges were finally expanded, significantly improving traffic flow between the western suburbs and the town center.
Future Crossings
Reading\u2019s ongoing growth continues to spark discussions about new crossings. With plans for additional footbridges, cycle routes, and improved rail infrastructure, the town faces the challenge of preserving its historical character while meeting the demands of a 21st-century economy.
In particular, plans for a third Thames bridge in Reading continue to ignite controversy, with neighbouring councils firmly opposing the project championed by Reading Borough Council. The proposed crossing, intended to alleviate traffic congestion, has become a battleground for local authorities.
Reading Borough Council's transport strategy 2040 includes the construction of a new bridge linking Thames Valley Park in Earley, Wokingham Borough, to Caversham Park Road and Henley Road, bordering South Oxfordshire. Council representatives state that the bridge would reduce pressure on existing crossings, Reading Bridge and Caversham Bridge, and improve regional connectivity.
South Oxfordshire and Wokingham Councils and the. Parish Councils in Kidmore End, Eye & Dunsden, Binfield Heath, Stoke Row, Sonning Common and Highmoor have all voiced strong objections, citing concerns about increased traffic through the Chilterns National Landscape traffic funnelled onto rural roads, harming the environment and disrupting local communities. Concerns have also been raised regarding the increased traffic flow that would be generated on roads within the town.
\u00a0
\n\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/aa028744.jpg\")
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nGetting to know you is the top priority for the new Bishop of Reading.
Last month, it was announced that the Revd Canon Mary Gregory is to leave her role as Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral to succeed the Rt Revd Olivia Graham, who stepped down earlier this year.
A member of the clergy since 2005, she served in dioceses in Sheffield and Leicester after a career in the prison service, including serving as governor of Wakefield and Moorland prisons.
Mary will be installed into her new role in the spring of next year.
\u201cI\u2019ve moved quite a lot in my working life, and I always love getting to know a new area,\u201d she says. \"I\u2019m naturally very curious and enjoy finding out what there is to see and getting to know new people. It\u2019s a really important job taking care of the people of Berkshire, getting to know them and serving them. This is a completely fresh patch for me, and I hope that will be an advantage in some ways because I\u2019ll be coming with a fresh pair of eyes, and ready to listen to what people have to tell me without any preconceptions on my part.\u201d
She believes that one of the attractions is the makeup of the area: while much of Reading is very urban, there are also areas that are countryside and in use for agriculture. This mirrors her life growing up in rural Leicestershire in addition to her early ministries.
\u201cI have a love of the countryside and an understanding of it to a point. On the other hand, being in Coventry, I\u2019ve lived in a very urban context and really enjoyed the diversity and the opportunity to work with people of different faiths,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere have been various points of connection. While I don\u2019t know Berkshire, I have had experiences that might be relevant\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve always been drawn to people on the edges of things, people who are held outside of the centre if you like. I was really impressed that there are a lot of charities at work in the area, I can really see myself supporting and contributing to that work.\u201d
During her fact-finding sessions, she spent time with the people she would work with, and says she was impressed with their talent, dedication and warmth.
\u201cThis is a job that you can\u2019t do in isolation, you have to do it with other people,\u201d she says, reflecting also on the journey that the Church has been on since accepting women to the priesthood in the early 1990s. It\u2019s lovely to be following in Bishop Olivia\u2019s footsteps and building on the amazing work she did,\u201d Mary says.\u201cI visited the house where she lived, which is where I\u2019m going to live, and she had left a letter in her desk drawer for whoever the next Bishop of Reading was going to be, which was really nice.\"
Diversity within the Church is another subject close to the heart of the new appointee:
\u201cI obviously really do embrace the fact that women can minister in the Church. I want to encourage more women in ministry and encourage greater diversity in other ways, to see global majority heritage people better represented within the Church of England. I think there is still quite a bit of work to do on diversity. I am absolutely convinced that God welcomes everyone, and that\u2019s a really, really important part of the message I want to bring to my role as Bishop of Reading. I want to demonstrate by my own responses and what I say that God\u2019s love is just unconditional. It\u2019s exciting where churches are able to express that really clearly.\u201d
The recent Census showed that four in 10 of Berkshire\u2019s population said they were Christians, while a third said they had no faith at all. Mary says it presents the Church with an interesting challenge and an opportunity.
\u201cHow can I communicate the faith I hold really dearly to people who haven\u2019t got a background in the Christian faith, or who may not have an interest in it? How do I make it relevant to people and help them make connections with their own life and experience?\u201d she asks. \u201cFrom my point of view, I am absolutely sure the Christian story is one that is still compelling today, but we haven\u2019t told it in a way that connects with people. I\u2019m excited to think about what will help us tell our story in a way that people want to say, \u2018Tell me more\u2019.
\u201cThe world has changed a lot since I was growing up, we can\u2019t just rely on people turning up on Sundays, so what can we do in the week? It\u2019s not just about the church building, what can we do in the pub? I\u2019ve already been invited to do something in a Reading pub and, of course, I\u2019ve said yes. It\u2019s about being enterprising and creative. The story doesn\u2019t change, the core message doesn\u2019t change, but how we tell it has to. That\u2019s not to jettison beautiful, traditional worship. We can still have that, but we must diversify as well. We must have other things which might reach a different generation.\u201d
Mary is looking forward to starting her new ministry. She will lead Christmas services at Coventry while packing, leaving in the early spring before coming to Reading, which is part of the Diocese of Oxford.
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge privilege to be coming here,\u201d she says. \u201cThe way I understand being a bishop is about serving. I know we wear these beautiful robes which might make us stand out and look important in particular ways, but I\u2019m there to serve. I\u2019m really looking forward to it, and I want people to know I will always give my very best. I am looking forward to getting to know people and loving them.\u201d
\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nGetting to know you is the top priority for the new Bishop of Reading.
Last month, it was announced that the Revd Canon Mary Gregory is to leave her role as Canon for the Arts and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral to succeed the Rt Revd Olivia Graham, who stepped down earlier this year.
A member of the clergy since 2005, she served in dioceses in Sheffield and Leicester after a career in the prison service, including serving as governor of Wakefield and Moorland prisons.
Mary will be installed into her new role in the spring of next year.
\u201cI\u2019ve moved quite a lot in my working life, and I always love getting to know a new area,\u201d she says. \"I\u2019m naturally very curious and enjoy finding out what there is to see and getting to know new people. It\u2019s a really important job taking care of the people of Berkshire, getting to know them and serving them. This is a completely fresh patch for me, and I hope that will be an advantage in some ways because I\u2019ll be coming with a fresh pair of eyes, and ready to listen to what people have to tell me without any preconceptions on my part.\u201d
She believes that one of the attractions is the makeup of the area: while much of Reading is very urban, there are also areas that are countryside and in use for agriculture. This mirrors her life growing up in rural Leicestershire in addition to her early ministries.
\u201cI have a love of the countryside and an understanding of it to a point. On the other hand, being in Coventry, I\u2019ve lived in a very urban context and really enjoyed the diversity and the opportunity to work with people of different faiths,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere have been various points of connection. While I don\u2019t know Berkshire, I have had experiences that might be relevant\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve always been drawn to people on the edges of things, people who are held outside of the centre if you like. I was really impressed that there are a lot of charities at work in the area, I can really see myself supporting and contributing to that work.\u201d
During her fact-finding sessions, she spent time with the people she would work with, and says she was impressed with their talent, dedication and warmth.
\u201cThis is a job that you can\u2019t do in isolation, you have to do it with other people,\u201d she says, reflecting also on the journey that the Church has been on since accepting women to the priesthood in the early 1990s. It\u2019s lovely to be following in Bishop Olivia\u2019s footsteps and building on the amazing work she did,\u201d Mary says.\u201cI visited the house where she lived, which is where I\u2019m going to live, and she had left a letter in her desk drawer for whoever the next Bishop of Reading was going to be, which was really nice.\"
Diversity within the Church is another subject close to the heart of the new appointee:
\u201cI obviously really do embrace the fact that women can minister in the Church. I want to encourage more women in ministry and encourage greater diversity in other ways, to see global majority heritage people better represented within the Church of England. I think there is still quite a bit of work to do on diversity. I am absolutely convinced that God welcomes everyone, and that\u2019s a really, really important part of the message I want to bring to my role as Bishop of Reading. I want to demonstrate by my own responses and what I say that God\u2019s love is just unconditional. It\u2019s exciting where churches are able to express that really clearly.\u201d
The recent Census showed that four in 10 of Berkshire\u2019s population said they were Christians, while a third said they had no faith at all. Mary says it presents the Church with an interesting challenge and an opportunity.
\u201cHow can I communicate the faith I hold really dearly to people who haven\u2019t got a background in the Christian faith, or who may not have an interest in it? How do I make it relevant to people and help them make connections with their own life and experience?\u201d she asks. \u201cFrom my point of view, I am absolutely sure the Christian story is one that is still compelling today, but we haven\u2019t told it in a way that connects with people. I\u2019m excited to think about what will help us tell our story in a way that people want to say, \u2018Tell me more\u2019.
\u201cThe world has changed a lot since I was growing up, we can\u2019t just rely on people turning up on Sundays, so what can we do in the week? It\u2019s not just about the church building, what can we do in the pub? I\u2019ve already been invited to do something in a Reading pub and, of course, I\u2019ve said yes. It\u2019s about being enterprising and creative. The story doesn\u2019t change, the core message doesn\u2019t change, but how we tell it has to. That\u2019s not to jettison beautiful, traditional worship. We can still have that, but we must diversify as well. We must have other things which might reach a different generation.\u201d
Mary is looking forward to starting her new ministry. She will lead Christmas services at Coventry while packing, leaving in the early spring before coming to Reading, which is part of the Diocese of Oxford.
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge privilege to be coming here,\u201d she says. \u201cThe way I understand being a bishop is about serving. I know we wear these beautiful robes which might make us stand out and look important in particular ways, but I\u2019m there to serve. I\u2019m really looking forward to it, and I want people to know I will always give my very best. I am looking forward to getting to know people and loving them.\u201d
\r\n
\r\n
The Friday before Christmas and we were trying to get to Waitrose in Caversham to buy seasonal essentials such as gold all butter puff pastry (not the green type they sell at Tesco, oh no!). But it was hopeless.
\r\nIt took a while to get onto the IDR and then fifteen minutes to get to the Reading Bridge roundabout. A quick rethink and we headed for Vastern Road but encountered the same problem. It transpired that this was the perfect storm - a gridlock starting and ending at, I suspected from looking at Waze, the ludicrous double mini roundabout layout in central Caversham.
Google was promising 25 minutes to get from Caversham Road to the Caversham Waitrose. After quickly consulting Waze again, this called for a quick diversion to Woodley, where everything seemed a lot calmer.
Despite having to navigate the gridlock that is Cemetery Junction, I often find myself driving up to Woodley to shop from Central Reading, where parking is easy and there is a great selection of shops such as Robert Dyas and HK Supermarket selling things that are sometimes difficult to find in the centre of town.
Woodley is a curious suburb. I think it widely regards itself as not part of Reading at all, perhaps fairly so. Parts are five miles from the centre of Reading and officially it is in the exalted borough of Wokingham. Which begs the question in the era of urban sprawl, where does one place begin and the other end ? As a teenager in the 1920s my gran worked as a nanny in Streatham and used to talk about going through the villages of Brixton and Stockwell on her way into London. How times change. And it is not difficult to trace a path from Bracknell to Emmer Green where not a field can be seen with yet more infill to come.
Yaprak, or rather its predecessor, Le De Kitchen (which briefly also had a branch in Marketplace) has always been a fave of mine. Yaprak means ‘leaf’ and is used as a symbol of renewal – perhaps using ‘Phoenix’ was just not right for this reborn with few changes restaurant - it is also used in dish names such as \"yaprak sarmas\u0131,\" which are grape leaves stuffed with a savoury filling. Clever.
Unfortunately, in the current climate for restaurants, more and more are disappearing and reappearing under new names. Valpy’s became The Cellar, the same in all but name, which is also true for this new leaf.
\r\nNow I have a long held a love for Turkey. When my contemporaries in the later eighties and nineties were heading to Ibiza and Aya Napa, I would pop over to Turkey three or four times a year.
The combination of culture, wonderful and diverse food, easy travel and lively, welcoming, friendly people (as well as sea, sand, cheap drink and knock off music cassettes) was irresistible.
So I got to know and understand a lot about Turkish food, from the lokantarali working men's lunch caffs where you could get wonderful stews for a few tens of pence to the full on seafood restaurants aiming their rather more expensive but fresh and delicious products on the quay fronts of Kos, Ayvalik and the larger tourist towns.
Turkish may still be my desert island cuisine (you know, if there was only one cuisine you could eat again). Indeed, I spent my last holiday on a wonderful small island off Fethyie where the food was exquisite, but, by now, eye wateringly expensive. Somewhere in the past thirty years a Turkish meal in Turkey has become more expensive than in the UK.
Despite having many kebab shops, such as Marmaris in Caversham Road, Reading is poorly served with this wonderful cuisine. So, after an arduous round at Waitrose my wife loaded the car with our gold puff pastry and other delicacies and popped over the precinct. At two thirty we were the only punters in what is a cavernous and welcoming room with an open kitchen at one end and a bar at the other.
\r\nWe decided to go for a shared hot starter platter and then to share an Islander kebab - one of my favourites.
\r\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/307df870.jpg\")
The starter was a meal in itself. The halloumi cheese was plump and didn't dry out as halloumi often does when grilled. The sucuk sausage came sliced, oily and slightly spicy with Aleppo pepper. The thickly filled muska boregi, a samosa shapped filo pastry parcel stuffed with spinach and soft cheese was oozing.
Unfortunately the felafel was rather dry and wholly uninspiring, coming in a flat coin shape like the ones you get from a bad supermarket. Normally, this would have been a deal breaker, but this was strangely the only mis-step in an otherwise lovely meal.
The starter meze also came with a lovely soft chunky and perfectly battered calamari, mucver (veg fritters made from deep fried courgette, carrot parsley and feta), aubergine dip and hummus and lovely flatbread straight out of the oven.
Just yum. If I could have this for lunch every day I would live in Groundhog Day and really good value for money.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/c5d61f5a.jpg\")
The main course of Iskender kebab has long been a favourite of mine. It is kofte like shredded lamb with mince and herbs, charcoal grilled and served on toasted bread with a tomato sauce and a yoghurt and butter sauce that is as mouthwatering as it sounds. The meat was delicious as were the sauces, I was less keen on the shredded bread – I prefer versions of this dish that use a flatbread as a base, but that is really nitpicking.
On the side was pilaf rice and bulgar wheat.
\r\nAn Efes beer (brewed partially using rice and a Turkish staple since 1969) washed it all down nicely.
\r\nNeedless to say, despite sharing, it was too much food and we ended up eating the left overs for lunch the following day.
\r\nAnd that sums up Turkish food and the food here at Yaprak in particular. Delicious, good value for money and plentiful. I can’t wait until the Waitrose shop has to be topped up for New Year...
", "content_text": " \r\n \r\nThe Friday before Christmas and we were trying to get to Waitrose in Caversham to buy seasonal essentials such as gold all butter puff pastry (not the green type they sell at Tesco, oh no!). But it was hopeless.\r\nIt took a while to get onto the IDR and then fifteen minutes to get to the Reading Bridge roundabout. A quick rethink and we headed for Vastern Road but encountered the same problem. It transpired that this was the perfect storm - a gridlock starting and ending at, I suspected from looking at Waze, the ludicrous double mini roundabout layout in central Caversham.Google was promising 25 minutes to get from Caversham Road to the Caversham Waitrose. After quickly consulting Waze again, this called for a quick diversion to Woodley, where everything seemed a lot calmer.Despite having to navigate the gridlock that is Cemetery Junction, I often find myself driving up to Woodley to shop from Central Reading, where parking is easy and there is a great selection of shops such as Robert Dyas and HK Supermarket selling things that are sometimes difficult to find in the centre of town.Woodley is a curious suburb. I think it widely regards itself as not part of Reading at all, perhaps fairly so. Parts are five miles from the centre of Reading and officially it is in the exalted borough of Wokingham. Which begs the question in the era of urban sprawl, where does one place begin and the other end ? As a teenager in the 1920s my gran worked as a nanny in Streatham and used to talk about going through the villages of Brixton and Stockwell on her way into London. How times change. And it is not difficult to trace a path from Bracknell to Emmer Green where not a field can be seen with yet more infill to come.Yaprak, or rather its predecessor, Le De Kitchen (which briefly also had a branch in Marketplace) has always been a fave of mine. Yaprak means ‘leaf’ and is used as a symbol of renewal – perhaps using ‘Phoenix’ was just not right for this reborn with few changes restaurant - it is also used in dish names such as \"yaprak sarmas\u0131,\" which are grape leaves stuffed with a savoury filling. Clever.\r\nUnfortunately, in the current climate for restaurants, more and more are disappearing and reappearing under new names. Valpy’s became The Cellar, the same in all but name, which is also true for this new leaf.\r\nNow I have a long held a love for Turkey. When my contemporaries in the later eighties and nineties were heading to Ibiza and Aya Napa, I would pop over to Turkey three or four times a year. The combination of culture, wonderful and diverse food, easy travel and lively, welcoming, friendly people (as well as sea, sand, cheap drink and knock off music cassettes) was irresistible.So I got to know and understand a lot about Turkish food, from the lokantarali working men's lunch caffs where you could get wonderful stews for a few tens of pence to the full on seafood restaurants aiming their rather more expensive but fresh and delicious products on the quay fronts of Kos, Ayvalik and the larger tourist towns.Turkish may still be my desert island cuisine (you know, if there was only one cuisine you could eat again). Indeed, I spent my last holiday on a wonderful small island off Fethyie where the food was exquisite, but, by now, eye wateringly expensive. Somewhere in the past thirty years a Turkish meal in Turkey has become more expensive than in the UK.\r\nDespite having many kebab shops, such as Marmaris in Caversham Road, Reading is poorly served with this wonderful cuisine. So, after an arduous round at Waitrose my wife loaded the car with our gold puff pastry and other delicacies and popped over the precinct. At two thirty we were the only punters in what is a cavernous and welcoming room with an open kitchen at one end and a bar at the other.\r\nWe decided to go for a shared hot starter platter and then to share an Islander kebab - one of my favourites.\r\nThe starter was a meal in itself. The halloumi cheese was plump and didn't dry out as halloumi often does when grilled. The sucuk sausage came sliced, oily and slightly spicy with Aleppo pepper. The thickly filled muska boregi, a samosa shapped filo pastry parcel stuffed with spinach and soft cheese was oozing.\r\nUnfortunately the felafel was rather dry and wholly uninspiring, coming in a flat coin shape like the ones you get from a bad supermarket. Normally, this would have been a deal breaker, but this was strangely the only mis-step in an otherwise lovely meal.The starter meze also came with a lovely soft chunky and perfectly battered calamari, mucver (veg fritters made from deep fried courgette, carrot parsley and feta), aubergine dip and hummus and lovely flatbread straight out of the oven.Just yum. If I could have this for lunch every day I would live in Groundhog Day and really good value for money.\r\nThe main course of Iskender kebab has long been a favourite of mine. It is kofte like shredded lamb with mince and herbs, charcoal grilled and served on toasted bread with a tomato sauce and a yoghurt and butter sauce that is as mouthwatering as it sounds. The meat was delicious as were the sauces, I was less keen on the shredded bread – I prefer versions of this dish that use a flatbread as a base, but that is really nitpicking.\r\nOn the side was pilaf rice and bulgar wheat.\r\nAn Efes beer (brewed partially using rice and a Turkish staple since 1969) washed it all down nicely.\r\nNeedless to say, despite sharing, it was too much food and we ended up eating the left overs for lunch the following day. \r\nAnd that sums up Turkish food and the food here at Yaprak in particular. Delicious, good value for money and plentiful. I can’t wait until the Waitrose shop has to be topped up for New Year...", "summary": "The Friday before Christmas and we were trying to get to Waitrose in Caversham to buy seasonal essentials such as gold all butter puff pastry (not the green type they sell at Tesco, oh no!). But it was hopeless. It took a while to get onto the IDR and then fifteen minutes to get to the Reading Bridge roundabout. A quick rethink and we headed for Vastern Road but encountered the same problem. It...", "date_published": "2024-11-29T13:54:42+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-24T10:09:27.883614+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/81b9ba60.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/81b9ba60.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Eating Out - Yaprak", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1120, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\r\n
\r\n
The Friday before Christmas and we were trying to get to Waitrose in Caversham to buy seasonal essentials such as gold all butter puff pastry (not the green type they sell at Tesco, oh no!). But it was hopeless.
\r\nIt took a while to get onto the IDR and then fifteen minutes to get to the Reading Bridge roundabout. A quick rethink and we headed for Vastern Road but encountered the same problem. It transpired that this was the perfect storm - a gridlock starting and ending at, I suspected from looking at Waze, the ludicrous double mini roundabout layout in central Caversham.
Google was promising 25 minutes to get from Caversham Road to the Caversham Waitrose. After quickly consulting Waze again, this called for a quick diversion to Woodley, where everything seemed a lot calmer.
Despite having to navigate the gridlock that is Cemetery Junction, I often find myself driving up to Woodley to shop from Central Reading, where parking is easy and there is a great selection of shops such as Robert Dyas and HK Supermarket selling things that are sometimes difficult to find in the centre of town.
Woodley is a curious suburb. I think it widely regards itself as not part of Reading at all, perhaps fairly so. Parts are five miles from the centre of Reading and officially it is in the exalted borough of Wokingham. Which begs the question in the era of urban sprawl, where does one place begin and the other end ? As a teenager in the 1920s my gran worked as a nanny in Streatham and used to talk about going through the villages of Brixton and Stockwell on her way into London. How times change. And it is not difficult to trace a path from Bracknell to Emmer Green where not a field can be seen with yet more infill to come.
Yaprak, or rather its predecessor, Le De Kitchen (which briefly also had a branch in Marketplace) has always been a fave of mine. Yaprak means ‘leaf’ and is used as a symbol of renewal – perhaps using ‘Phoenix’ was just not right for this reborn with few changes restaurant - it is also used in dish names such as \"yaprak sarmas\u0131,\" which are grape leaves stuffed with a savoury filling. Clever.
Unfortunately, in the current climate for restaurants, more and more are disappearing and reappearing under new names. Valpy’s became The Cellar, the same in all but name, which is also true for this new leaf.
\r\nNow I have a long held a love for Turkey. When my contemporaries in the later eighties and nineties were heading to Ibiza and Aya Napa, I would pop over to Turkey three or four times a year.
The combination of culture, wonderful and diverse food, easy travel and lively, welcoming, friendly people (as well as sea, sand, cheap drink and knock off music cassettes) was irresistible.
So I got to know and understand a lot about Turkish food, from the lokantarali working men's lunch caffs where you could get wonderful stews for a few tens of pence to the full on seafood restaurants aiming their rather more expensive but fresh and delicious products on the quay fronts of Kos, Ayvalik and the larger tourist towns.
Turkish may still be my desert island cuisine (you know, if there was only one cuisine you could eat again). Indeed, I spent my last holiday on a wonderful small island off Fethyie where the food was exquisite, but, by now, eye wateringly expensive. Somewhere in the past thirty years a Turkish meal in Turkey has become more expensive than in the UK.
Despite having many kebab shops, such as Marmaris in Caversham Road, Reading is poorly served with this wonderful cuisine. So, after an arduous round at Waitrose my wife loaded the car with our gold puff pastry and other delicacies and popped over the precinct. At two thirty we were the only punters in what is a cavernous and welcoming room with an open kitchen at one end and a bar at the other.
\r\nWe decided to go for a shared hot starter platter and then to share an Islander kebab - one of my favourites.
\r\n
The starter was a meal in itself. The halloumi cheese was plump and didn't dry out as halloumi often does when grilled. The sucuk sausage came sliced, oily and slightly spicy with Aleppo pepper. The thickly filled muska boregi, a samosa shapped filo pastry parcel stuffed with spinach and soft cheese was oozing.
Unfortunately the felafel was rather dry and wholly uninspiring, coming in a flat coin shape like the ones you get from a bad supermarket. Normally, this would have been a deal breaker, but this was strangely the only mis-step in an otherwise lovely meal.
The starter meze also came with a lovely soft chunky and perfectly battered calamari, mucver (veg fritters made from deep fried courgette, carrot parsley and feta), aubergine dip and hummus and lovely flatbread straight out of the oven.
Just yum. If I could have this for lunch every day I would live in Groundhog Day and really good value for money.
The main course of Iskender kebab has long been a favourite of mine. It is kofte like shredded lamb with mince and herbs, charcoal grilled and served on toasted bread with a tomato sauce and a yoghurt and butter sauce that is as mouthwatering as it sounds. The meat was delicious as were the sauces, I was less keen on the shredded bread – I prefer versions of this dish that use a flatbread as a base, but that is really nitpicking.
On the side was pilaf rice and bulgar wheat.
\r\nAn Efes beer (brewed partially using rice and a Turkish staple since 1969) washed it all down nicely.
\r\nNeedless to say, despite sharing, it was too much food and we ended up eating the left overs for lunch the following day.
\r\nAnd that sums up Turkish food and the food here at Yaprak in particular. Delicious, good value for money and plentiful. I can’t wait until the Waitrose shop has to be topped up for New Year...
", "description": "The Friday before Christmas and we were trying to get to Waitrose in Caversham to buy seasonal essentials such as gold all butter puff pastry (not the green type they sell at Tesco, oh no!). But it was hopeless. It took a while to get onto the IDR and then fifteen minutes to get to the Reading Bridge roundabout. A quick rethink and we headed for Vastern Road but encountered the same problem. It...", "dateModified": "2026-03-24T10:09:27.883614+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2024-11-29T13:54:42+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/yaprak/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "287", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/when-reading-cock-was-a-delicacy/", "title": "When Reading Cock Was A Delicacy", "content_html": "\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n![](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2b6f322a.jpeg\"/)
Reading Cock's Sauce was a traditional English condiment with a long history rooted in our town. It was once a staple in British households and a popular export.\u00a0
\nThe Sauce traces its origins to the 19th century, during the Victorian era. It was originally invented by James Cocks, who opened a fishmongers shop on Butcher's Row in 1789 (now part of Broad Street and King Street).
\nThe sauce gained popularity as a competitor to Worcestershire sauce, offering a spicier and tangier alternative.
\nThe Sauce is even mentioned in the book Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.
\nThe \"Cock's\" part of the name is believed to refer to the rooster, a traditional symbol of morning or awakening, possibly alluding to its strong and awakening flavors. The sauce became widely recognized and was exported across the British Empire during its peak.
\nAfter James died his son Charles took over the business, opening a larger factory on the King's Road in the 1830s, now the site of Reading Central Library. But, despite its initial success, the production of Reading Cock's Sauce eventually declined in the last century.\u00a0
\nThe exact recipe for Reading Cock's Sauce has historically been a closely guarded secret, much like Worcestershire sauce. However, it is known to contain a blend of ingredients that give it a tangy and umami-rich flavor.
\nThe main ingredients of the original sauce were walnut ketchup, mushroom ketchup, salt, anchovies, chillies, bruised ginger, spices (cloves, allspice and black pepper would have been likely), salt and garlic. Vinegar and molasses were probably also used.
\nOnce mixed and cooked it was left to stand in barrels for three to five years!
\nHomemade versions of the sauce have been attempted by culinary enthusiasts based on descriptions of its flavor profile, though the precise proportions remain a mystery.
\nReading Cock's Sauce was traditionally used as both a table condiment and a cooking ingredient. Its robust flavor made it a versatile addition to various dishes as an ingredient to add tang, as a marinade or as a condiment for flavouring.
\nThe sauce could also be used as a dipping sauce or mixed into sauces and dressings, making it a staple for enhancing meals.
\nDuring its heyday, Reading Cock's Sauce was widely distributed across the UK and exported to various parts of the British Empire in distinctive bottles with an orange label. The distinctive bottles have become collectible items for history enthusiasts. The sauce's popularity waned in the mid-20th century as consumer preferences shifted and competition increased.
\nToday, Reading Cock's Sauce is no longer produced commercially on any scale.\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\nReading Cock's Sauce was a traditional English condiment with a long history rooted in our town. It was once a staple in British households and a popular export.\u00a0\nThe Sauce traces its origins to the 19th century, during the Victorian era. It was originally invented by James Cocks, who opened a fishmongers shop on Butcher's Row in 1789 (now part of Broad Street and King Street).\nThe sauce gained popularity as a competitor to Worcestershire sauce, offering a spicier and tangier alternative.\nThe Sauce is even mentioned in the book Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.\nThe \"Cock's\" part of the name is believed to refer to the rooster, a traditional symbol of morning or awakening, possibly alluding to its strong and awakening flavors. The sauce became widely recognized and was exported across the British Empire during its peak.\nAfter James died his son Charles took over the business, opening a larger factory on the King's Road in the 1830s, now the site of Reading Central Library. But, despite its initial success, the production of Reading Cock's Sauce eventually declined in the last century.\u00a0\nThe exact recipe for Reading Cock's Sauce has historically been a closely guarded secret, much like Worcestershire sauce. However, it is known to contain a blend of ingredients that give it a tangy and umami-rich flavor.\nThe main ingredients of the original sauce were walnut ketchup, mushroom ketchup, salt, anchovies, chillies, bruised ginger, spices (cloves, allspice and black pepper would have been likely), salt and garlic. Vinegar and molasses were probably also used.\nOnce mixed and cooked it was left to stand in barrels for three to five years!\nHomemade versions of the sauce have been attempted by culinary enthusiasts based on descriptions of its flavor profile, though the precise proportions remain a mystery.\nReading Cock's Sauce was traditionally used as both a table condiment and a cooking ingredient. Its robust flavor made it a versatile addition to various dishes as an ingredient to add tang, as a marinade or as a condiment for flavouring.\nThe sauce could also be used as a dipping sauce or mixed into sauces and dressings, making it a staple for enhancing meals.\nDuring its heyday, Reading Cock's Sauce was widely distributed across the UK and exported to various parts of the British Empire in distinctive bottles with an orange label. The distinctive bottles have become collectible items for history enthusiasts. The sauce's popularity waned in the mid-20th century as consumer preferences shifted and competition increased.\nToday, Reading Cock's Sauce is no longer produced commercially on any scale.\u00a0", "summary": "Reading Cock's Sauce was a traditional English condiment with a long history rooted in our town. It was once a staple in British households and a popular export. The Sauce traces its origins to the 19th century, during the Victorian era. It was originally invented by James Cocks, who opened a fishmongers shop on Butcher's Row in 1789 (now part of Broad Street and King Street). The sauce gained ...", "date_published": "2024-11-29T13:52:13+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:31.309956+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2b6f322a.jpeg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2b6f322a.jpeg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "When Reading Cock Was A Delicacy", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 544, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n
Reading Cock's Sauce was a traditional English condiment with a long history rooted in our town. It was once a staple in British households and a popular export.\u00a0
\nThe Sauce traces its origins to the 19th century, during the Victorian era. It was originally invented by James Cocks, who opened a fishmongers shop on Butcher's Row in 1789 (now part of Broad Street and King Street).
\nThe sauce gained popularity as a competitor to Worcestershire sauce, offering a spicier and tangier alternative.
\nThe Sauce is even mentioned in the book Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.
\nThe \"Cock's\" part of the name is believed to refer to the rooster, a traditional symbol of morning or awakening, possibly alluding to its strong and awakening flavors. The sauce became widely recognized and was exported across the British Empire during its peak.
\nAfter James died his son Charles took over the business, opening a larger factory on the King's Road in the 1830s, now the site of Reading Central Library. But, despite its initial success, the production of Reading Cock's Sauce eventually declined in the last century.\u00a0
\nThe exact recipe for Reading Cock's Sauce has historically been a closely guarded secret, much like Worcestershire sauce. However, it is known to contain a blend of ingredients that give it a tangy and umami-rich flavor.
\nThe main ingredients of the original sauce were walnut ketchup, mushroom ketchup, salt, anchovies, chillies, bruised ginger, spices (cloves, allspice and black pepper would have been likely), salt and garlic. Vinegar and molasses were probably also used.
\nOnce mixed and cooked it was left to stand in barrels for three to five years!
\nHomemade versions of the sauce have been attempted by culinary enthusiasts based on descriptions of its flavor profile, though the precise proportions remain a mystery.
\nReading Cock's Sauce was traditionally used as both a table condiment and a cooking ingredient. Its robust flavor made it a versatile addition to various dishes as an ingredient to add tang, as a marinade or as a condiment for flavouring.
\nThe sauce could also be used as a dipping sauce or mixed into sauces and dressings, making it a staple for enhancing meals.
\nDuring its heyday, Reading Cock's Sauce was widely distributed across the UK and exported to various parts of the British Empire in distinctive bottles with an orange label. The distinctive bottles have become collectible items for history enthusiasts. The sauce's popularity waned in the mid-20th century as consumer preferences shifted and competition increased.
\nToday, Reading Cock's Sauce is no longer produced commercially on any scale.\u00a0
", "description": "Reading Cock's Sauce was a traditional English condiment with a long history rooted in our town. It was once a staple in British households and a popular export. The Sauce traces its origins to the 19th century, during the Victorian era. It was originally invented by James Cocks, who opened a fishmongers shop on Butcher's Row in 1789 (now part of Broad Street and King Street). The sauce gained ...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:31.309956+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT2M", "datePublished": "2024-11-29T13:52:13+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/when-reading-cock-was-a-delicacy/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 2 } }, { "id": "286", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/oh-yes-it-is/", "title": "Oh Yes It Is !", "content_html": "\n
Panto Time Gets HiTech in Reading
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\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/b2087428.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nAudiences at The Hexagon theatre\u2019s pantomime Cinderella will notice this year\u2019s spectacular is \u2026 well, more spectacular. And it\u2019s all thanks to a new digital set.
\nThere will be something old (some of the jokes), something new (the backdrops), something borrowed (Cinder\u2019s slipper), but nothing blue as this is a family show, created once again for Reading Arts by Imagine Theatre.
\nThe show once again sees CBeebies legend Justin Fletcher team up with his festive partner in crime Paul Morse. They play Buttons and Nanny Gumdrop and they will get up to their usual mixture of hi-jinks, slapstick fun and messy cake decorating.
\nAlso returning are Carl Tracey as the Prince, and Rachel Delooze and Bex Allingham as the Wicked Stepsisters. Joining them will be Samantha Dorrance as Cinderella, Cassandra Lee as the Fairy Godmother, Adam Pettigrew as Dandini, and Ally Cox as the Wicked Stepmother.
\nAlongside them will be a talented cast of young dancers, selected from open auditions held by Imagine Theatre at The Hexagon in the summer. Hundreds queued up to take part, and were whittled down to three small troupes that will perform in shows across the run. \u00a0
\nThe digital screens will be the icing on the Christmas cake.
\nImagine Theatre says the high-tech panels will wrap around the stage and all the show\u2019s scenery will be projected onto them.
\nIn a promotional video introducing the setup that you can watch below, Justin Fletcher says: \u201cThey\u2019re very magical, new sets with a brand-new projection system.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/21038d80.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nSample sets shown in the show promo on the\u00a0whatsonreading.com\u00a0website show butterflies fluttering across the screen, a windmill with moving sails, and flying clouds as well as Cinderella\u2019s pumpkin patch coach flying away to the ball.
\nPurists will be delighted that the screens feature artwork that look like the highly detailed and magical sets of old, in keeping with tradition while also moving firmly with the times.
\nThe show\u2019s director, and Imagine\u2019s managing director, is Steve Boden. He can\u2019t wait for audiences to see the changes.
\n\u201cPanto as an art form has been around for hundreds of years because it evolves, it keeps up to date, it challenges itself and it\u2019s not afraid to look at itself, social trends and make a direct and indirect commentary on that,\u201d he explains.
\n\u201cTechnology is clearly part of our world, and it has immeasurably enhanced the way people interact with arts, performance, news and leisure.\u201d
\nThe screens have been several years in the making. Steve says they had planning meetings where the Imagine team asked what they could do that was different, would challenge the art form of panto and make it more current.
\nHe says that with the younger generation growing up in a world where screens are normal, Imagine could experiment with theatre.
\n\u201cWe asked if there was a world where we could enhance pantomime and the way we tell stories using screens,\u201d Steve continues. \u201cThe Hexagon is the perfect venue to put in a piece of tech that changes the way we present pantomime.
\n\u201cPantomime is a massive technical and physical infrastructure without screens: there are a number of physical scenic elements: trucks, houses, staircases \u2026 it all takes up a lot of space.
\n\u201cVenues like The Hexagon have limited backstage space and you\u2019re always looking for ways to maximise your amount of spectacle without bearing the constraints of space.
\n\u201cThis solves some of those problems.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/39aeae45.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nThe digital screens have been designed by Mark Walters, who won Best Set Design at the UK Pantomime Association\u2019s annual awards for Imagine\u2019s production of Beauty and the Beast in Swansea. He has also created sets for the London Palladium\u2019s pantomimes including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and this year\u2019s Robin Hood.
\nSteve says: \u201cHe was very happy to get involved and work with us to develop a new digital concept.\u201d
\nBut those worried the show will be too radically different should be reassured.
\n\u201cWe worked with Mark because our panto purists, and those families who go every year, don\u2019t want to feel they are watching something they cannot relate to,\u201d Steve says.
\n\u201cEverything must be in the balance, so there are scenic elements, traditional painted bit of scenery, so you step into the auditorium and immediately go, \u2018Oh yes, I feel familiar with this, this is pantomime\u2019. You won\u2019t think you\u2019ve gone to the cinema.
\n\u201cWe want to maintain that feeling of spectacle and magic that only theatre can give you.\u201d
\nPaul Morse, who has become Reading\u2019s resident dame, is now performing in his third Cinderella for The Hexagon \u2013 back in 2014, he made his debut here playing one of the Ugly Sisters. The show\u2019s cast included much-missed Hairy Biker Dave Myers as Baron Hardup, Liza Goddard as the Fairy Godmother and Britain\u2019s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg.
\nThe show was reprised in 2019, in what was Justin Fletcher\u2019s first script and by this point Paul had formed a firm double act with the CBeebies legend, famous for shows such as Gigglebiz, Justin\u2019s House, and Something Special.
\nPaul can\u2019t wait to come back and is looking forward to the new set.
\n\u201cI think it will be mind blowing,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is going to be spectacular for the audience to see and will really push the boundaries of what panto can do.\u201d
\nPaul is no Luddite either.
\n\u201cI think any institution has to evolve with the times, otherwise it becomes dated, a bit tired and runs the risk of becoming irrelevant,\u201d he says.
\n\u201cWhen I first started doing pantomime 410 years ago, we had real ponies, and they would pull Cinderella\u2019s carriage. Then it became mechanical flying carriages, and this year with the digital screen, it will be completely new, and it will be nice to see what the reaction will be.\u201d
\nAnd he knows the show must go on even if something doesn\u2019t quite work \u2026 such as seeing his wig fall off, breaking into fits of giggles when a cast member makes him laugh, or a prop failing. It\u2019s all happened before, so he\u2019s not phased in the slightest.
\n\u201cPeople like that feeling that anything could go wrong. And let\u2019s face it,\u201d he laughs, the audience loves it when it happens.
\n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing this whole new 21st\u00a0century pantomime, it\u2019s going to be really, really something quite special.\u201d
\nCinderella is being performed at The Hexagon, Reading from Saturday, December 7, 2024, through to Sunday, January 5, 2025.
\nPerformance times vary, and tickets cost from \u00a320 to \u00a339. Group discounts are available.
\nFor more details go to: https://whatsonreading.com/cinders
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\nPanto Time Gets HiTech in Reading\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nAudiences at The Hexagon theatre\u2019s pantomime Cinderella will notice this year\u2019s spectacular is \u2026 well, more spectacular. And it\u2019s all thanks to a new digital set.\nThere will be something old (some of the jokes), something new (the backdrops), something borrowed (Cinder\u2019s slipper), but nothing blue as this is a family show, created once again for Reading Arts by Imagine Theatre.\nThe show once again sees CBeebies legend Justin Fletcher team up with his festive partner in crime Paul Morse. They play Buttons and Nanny Gumdrop and they will get up to their usual mixture of hi-jinks, slapstick fun and messy cake decorating.\nAlso returning are Carl Tracey as the Prince, and Rachel Delooze and Bex Allingham as the Wicked Stepsisters. Joining them will be Samantha Dorrance as Cinderella, Cassandra Lee as the Fairy Godmother, Adam Pettigrew as Dandini, and Ally Cox as the Wicked Stepmother.\nAlongside them will be a talented cast of young dancers, selected from open auditions held by Imagine Theatre at The Hexagon in the summer. Hundreds queued up to take part, and were whittled down to three small troupes that will perform in shows across the run. \u00a0\nThe digital screens will be the icing on the Christmas cake.\nImagine Theatre says the high-tech panels will wrap around the stage and all the show\u2019s scenery will be projected onto them.\nIn a promotional video introducing the setup that you can watch below, Justin Fletcher says: \u201cThey\u2019re very magical, new sets with a brand-new projection system.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nSample sets shown in the show promo on the\u00a0whatsonreading.com\u00a0website show butterflies fluttering across the screen, a windmill with moving sails, and flying clouds as well as Cinderella\u2019s pumpkin patch coach flying away to the ball.\nPurists will be delighted that the screens feature artwork that look like the highly detailed and magical sets of old, in keeping with tradition while also moving firmly with the times.\nThe show\u2019s director, and Imagine\u2019s managing director, is Steve Boden. He can\u2019t wait for audiences to see the changes.\n\u201cPanto as an art form has been around for hundreds of years because it evolves, it keeps up to date, it challenges itself and it\u2019s not afraid to look at itself, social trends and make a direct and indirect commentary on that,\u201d he explains.\n\u201cTechnology is clearly part of our world, and it has immeasurably enhanced the way people interact with arts, performance, news and leisure.\u201d\nThe screens have been several years in the making. Steve says they had planning meetings where the Imagine team asked what they could do that was different, would challenge the art form of panto and make it more current.\nHe says that with the younger generation growing up in a world where screens are normal, Imagine could experiment with theatre.\n\u201cWe asked if there was a world where we could enhance pantomime and the way we tell stories using screens,\u201d Steve continues. \u201cThe Hexagon is the perfect venue to put in a piece of tech that changes the way we present pantomime.\n\u201cPantomime is a massive technical and physical infrastructure without screens: there are a number of physical scenic elements: trucks, houses, staircases \u2026 it all takes up a lot of space.\n\u201cVenues like The Hexagon have limited backstage space and you\u2019re always looking for ways to maximise your amount of spectacle without bearing the constraints of space.\n\u201cThis solves some of those problems.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nThe digital screens have been designed by Mark Walters, who won Best Set Design at the UK Pantomime Association\u2019s annual awards for Imagine\u2019s production of Beauty and the Beast in Swansea. He has also created sets for the London Palladium\u2019s pantomimes including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and this year\u2019s Robin Hood.\nSteve says: \u201cHe was very happy to get involved and work with us to develop a new digital concept.\u201d\nBut those worried the show will be too radically different should be reassured.\n\u201cWe worked with Mark because our panto purists, and those families who go every year, don\u2019t want to feel they are watching something they cannot relate to,\u201d Steve says.\n\u201cEverything must be in the balance, so there are scenic elements, traditional painted bit of scenery, so you step into the auditorium and immediately go, \u2018Oh yes, I feel familiar with this, this is pantomime\u2019. You won\u2019t think you\u2019ve gone to the cinema.\n\u201cWe want to maintain that feeling of spectacle and magic that only theatre can give you.\u201d\nPaul Morse, who has become Reading\u2019s resident dame, is now performing in his third Cinderella for The Hexagon \u2013 back in 2014, he made his debut here playing one of the Ugly Sisters. The show\u2019s cast included much-missed Hairy Biker Dave Myers as Baron Hardup, Liza Goddard as the Fairy Godmother and Britain\u2019s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg.\nThe show was reprised in 2019, in what was Justin Fletcher\u2019s first script and by this point Paul had formed a firm double act with the CBeebies legend, famous for shows such as Gigglebiz, Justin\u2019s House, and Something Special.\nPaul can\u2019t wait to come back and is looking forward to the new set.\n\u201cI think it will be mind blowing,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is going to be spectacular for the audience to see and will really push the boundaries of what panto can do.\u201d\nPaul is no Luddite either.\n\u201cI think any institution has to evolve with the times, otherwise it becomes dated, a bit tired and runs the risk of becoming irrelevant,\u201d he says.\n\u201cWhen I first started doing pantomime 410 years ago, we had real ponies, and they would pull Cinderella\u2019s carriage. Then it became mechanical flying carriages, and this year with the digital screen, it will be completely new, and it will be nice to see what the reaction will be.\u201d\nAnd he knows the show must go on even if something doesn\u2019t quite work \u2026 such as seeing his wig fall off, breaking into fits of giggles when a cast member makes him laugh, or a prop failing. It\u2019s all happened before, so he\u2019s not phased in the slightest.\n\u201cPeople like that feeling that anything could go wrong. And let\u2019s face it,\u201d he laughs, the audience loves it when it happens.\n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing this whole new 21st\u00a0century pantomime, it\u2019s going to be really, really something quite special.\u201d\nCinderella is being performed at The Hexagon, Reading from Saturday, December 7, 2024, through to Sunday, January 5, 2025.\nPerformance times vary, and tickets cost from \u00a320 to \u00a339. Group discounts are available.\nFor more details go to: https://whatsonreading.com/cinders\n\u00a0", "summary": "Panto Time Gets HiTech in Reading Audiences at The Hexagon theatre\u2019s pantomime Cinderella will notice this year\u2019s spectacular is \u2026 well, more spectacular. And it\u2019s all thanks to a new digital set. There will be something old (some of the jokes), something new (the backdrops), something borrowed (Cinder\u2019s slipper), but nothing blue as this is a family show, created once again for Reading Arts by...", "date_published": "2024-11-29T13:51:31+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:31.027520+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/b2087428.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/b2087428.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Oh Yes It Is !", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1465, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
Panto Time Gets HiTech in Reading
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nAudiences at The Hexagon theatre\u2019s pantomime Cinderella will notice this year\u2019s spectacular is \u2026 well, more spectacular. And it\u2019s all thanks to a new digital set.
\nThere will be something old (some of the jokes), something new (the backdrops), something borrowed (Cinder\u2019s slipper), but nothing blue as this is a family show, created once again for Reading Arts by Imagine Theatre.
\nThe show once again sees CBeebies legend Justin Fletcher team up with his festive partner in crime Paul Morse. They play Buttons and Nanny Gumdrop and they will get up to their usual mixture of hi-jinks, slapstick fun and messy cake decorating.
\nAlso returning are Carl Tracey as the Prince, and Rachel Delooze and Bex Allingham as the Wicked Stepsisters. Joining them will be Samantha Dorrance as Cinderella, Cassandra Lee as the Fairy Godmother, Adam Pettigrew as Dandini, and Ally Cox as the Wicked Stepmother.
\nAlongside them will be a talented cast of young dancers, selected from open auditions held by Imagine Theatre at The Hexagon in the summer. Hundreds queued up to take part, and were whittled down to three small troupes that will perform in shows across the run. \u00a0
\nThe digital screens will be the icing on the Christmas cake.
\nImagine Theatre says the high-tech panels will wrap around the stage and all the show\u2019s scenery will be projected onto them.
\nIn a promotional video introducing the setup that you can watch below, Justin Fletcher says: \u201cThey\u2019re very magical, new sets with a brand-new projection system.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nSample sets shown in the show promo on the\u00a0whatsonreading.com\u00a0website show butterflies fluttering across the screen, a windmill with moving sails, and flying clouds as well as Cinderella\u2019s pumpkin patch coach flying away to the ball.
\nPurists will be delighted that the screens feature artwork that look like the highly detailed and magical sets of old, in keeping with tradition while also moving firmly with the times.
\nThe show\u2019s director, and Imagine\u2019s managing director, is Steve Boden. He can\u2019t wait for audiences to see the changes.
\n\u201cPanto as an art form has been around for hundreds of years because it evolves, it keeps up to date, it challenges itself and it\u2019s not afraid to look at itself, social trends and make a direct and indirect commentary on that,\u201d he explains.
\n\u201cTechnology is clearly part of our world, and it has immeasurably enhanced the way people interact with arts, performance, news and leisure.\u201d
\nThe screens have been several years in the making. Steve says they had planning meetings where the Imagine team asked what they could do that was different, would challenge the art form of panto and make it more current.
\nHe says that with the younger generation growing up in a world where screens are normal, Imagine could experiment with theatre.
\n\u201cWe asked if there was a world where we could enhance pantomime and the way we tell stories using screens,\u201d Steve continues. \u201cThe Hexagon is the perfect venue to put in a piece of tech that changes the way we present pantomime.
\n\u201cPantomime is a massive technical and physical infrastructure without screens: there are a number of physical scenic elements: trucks, houses, staircases \u2026 it all takes up a lot of space.
\n\u201cVenues like The Hexagon have limited backstage space and you\u2019re always looking for ways to maximise your amount of spectacle without bearing the constraints of space.
\n\u201cThis solves some of those problems.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nThe digital screens have been designed by Mark Walters, who won Best Set Design at the UK Pantomime Association\u2019s annual awards for Imagine\u2019s production of Beauty and the Beast in Swansea. He has also created sets for the London Palladium\u2019s pantomimes including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and this year\u2019s Robin Hood.
\nSteve says: \u201cHe was very happy to get involved and work with us to develop a new digital concept.\u201d
\nBut those worried the show will be too radically different should be reassured.
\n\u201cWe worked with Mark because our panto purists, and those families who go every year, don\u2019t want to feel they are watching something they cannot relate to,\u201d Steve says.
\n\u201cEverything must be in the balance, so there are scenic elements, traditional painted bit of scenery, so you step into the auditorium and immediately go, \u2018Oh yes, I feel familiar with this, this is pantomime\u2019. You won\u2019t think you\u2019ve gone to the cinema.
\n\u201cWe want to maintain that feeling of spectacle and magic that only theatre can give you.\u201d
\nPaul Morse, who has become Reading\u2019s resident dame, is now performing in his third Cinderella for The Hexagon \u2013 back in 2014, he made his debut here playing one of the Ugly Sisters. The show\u2019s cast included much-missed Hairy Biker Dave Myers as Baron Hardup, Liza Goddard as the Fairy Godmother and Britain\u2019s Got Talent finalist Jon Clegg.
\nThe show was reprised in 2019, in what was Justin Fletcher\u2019s first script and by this point Paul had formed a firm double act with the CBeebies legend, famous for shows such as Gigglebiz, Justin\u2019s House, and Something Special.
\nPaul can\u2019t wait to come back and is looking forward to the new set.
\n\u201cI think it will be mind blowing,\u201d he says. \u201cIt is going to be spectacular for the audience to see and will really push the boundaries of what panto can do.\u201d
\nPaul is no Luddite either.
\n\u201cI think any institution has to evolve with the times, otherwise it becomes dated, a bit tired and runs the risk of becoming irrelevant,\u201d he says.
\n\u201cWhen I first started doing pantomime 410 years ago, we had real ponies, and they would pull Cinderella\u2019s carriage. Then it became mechanical flying carriages, and this year with the digital screen, it will be completely new, and it will be nice to see what the reaction will be.\u201d
\nAnd he knows the show must go on even if something doesn\u2019t quite work \u2026 such as seeing his wig fall off, breaking into fits of giggles when a cast member makes him laugh, or a prop failing. It\u2019s all happened before, so he\u2019s not phased in the slightest.
\n\u201cPeople like that feeling that anything could go wrong. And let\u2019s face it,\u201d he laughs, the audience loves it when it happens.
\n\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing this whole new 21st\u00a0century pantomime, it\u2019s going to be really, really something quite special.\u201d
\nCinderella is being performed at The Hexagon, Reading from Saturday, December 7, 2024, through to Sunday, January 5, 2025.
\nPerformance times vary, and tickets cost from \u00a320 to \u00a339. Group discounts are available.
\nFor more details go to: https://whatsonreading.com/cinders
\n\u00a0
", "description": "Panto Time Gets HiTech in Reading Audiences at The Hexagon theatre\u2019s pantomime Cinderella will notice this year\u2019s spectacular is \u2026 well, more spectacular. And it\u2019s all thanks to a new digital set. There will be something old (some of the jokes), something new (the backdrops), something borrowed (Cinder\u2019s slipper), but nothing blue as this is a family show, created once again for Reading Arts by...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:31.027520+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2024-11-29T13:51:31+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/oh-yes-it-is/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "285", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-nightlife-not-going-out/", "title": "Reading Nightlife - Not Going Out ?", "content_html": "\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7b994d32.jpeg\")
\u00a0
\nAs we enter 2025 it looks like a lot is going to change if you fancy going out in the evening and into the night in Reading. Our team put on their glad rags and headed out on the town to find out what's likely to occur to our night time economy in the year ahead..
The New Year is a tough time for pubs and restaurants and this year may prove more challenging than ever for the few pubs left in central Reading, and perhaps even more so for the many restaurants who seem to do better from delivery than they do from bums on seats. So, what are the trends we can expect to see
\u00a0
\nRyanair-Type Dynamic Pricing For Drinks ?
\nThe average cost of a pint in town has crept beyond the six pound mark in most pubs, but even this does not seem to balance what punters are willing to pay against what pubs need to turn a profit.
\nMassive chains such as Weatherspoons, with two pubs in town, and the Lounge Group, with outlets in Caversham, Woodley and Wokingham, are able to provide keenly priced food and drinks and have become a haven for those on tighter budgets.
\nBut a new trend is appearing. In London, other pubcos are introducing a surcharge on drinks served after 10pm \u2013 pushing the cost of a pint to just under \u00a310. Could this happen in Reading?
\nThe O\u2019Neill\u2019s branch in London's Wardour Street is one of several establishments adopting a dynamic pricing model, with the company owner Mitchells & Butlers citing a request from the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council as the rationale behind the move.
\nThe policy has been in effect since 2022, and a company spokesperson told inreading.co.uk that the goal is to ensure that all venues in Soho\u2019s heart maintain similar pricing to help enhance the safety of the night time economy. The reasoning is that if one venue were significantly cheaper, people would flock there, potentially creating safety concerns.
\nA spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers stated:
\n\u201cThe policy at Wardour Street reflects a request from both the licensing authority and the police that we increase prices after 10pm to a level generally in line with the late-night market. This policy has been in place for about two years.\u201d
\nThe company explained that there are circumstances across its portfolio that necessitate this policy - the portfolio includes All Bar One, Harvester, Sizzling Pubs, Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery, Toby Carvery, and Vintage Inns. Additionally, its Castle brand inclusdes Reading's The Oakford Social Club and, at Cemetery Junction, the Hope and Bear.
\nThe Mitchells & Butlers spokesperson continued:
\n\u201cMost hospitality businesses and retailers deploy a form of dynamic pricing, which can include both price increases and decreases through tactical discounts or time-limited promotions. Dynamic pricing varies on a site-by-site basis, reflecting local market conditions. However, temporary price increases tend to offset additional costs, such as when extra door security is required.\u201d
\nYou have long been able to enjoy two for one deals on drinks and food in the late afternoon and early evening, so it would nto be surprising to find this concept extended in the future - \u00a34 for a pint at 5pm and \u00a310 at midnight ?
\n\u00a0
\nSafety Measures in Reading\u2019s Nightlife
\nReading unfortunately saw some rather nasty incidents in 2024 related to drinking establishments, such as the stabbing of Bajan visitor Tharel Thompson, who sustained life-changing injuries in the Walkabout Bar in Reading at the beginning of the year.
\nReading Borough Council has introduced several measures to ensure public safety during late-night activity. These include:
\nThese training sessions have included self-defence techniques and Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training, with a focus on drink spiking and its prevention. To support this, all town centre venues have been equipped with drinking spiking and urine-testing kits.
\nCouncil efforts also include supporting the\u00a0Ask for Angela campaign,\u00a0an initiative that allows individuals who feel unsafe to request assistance from bar staff by asking for a fictitious person named Angela.
\nAdditional assistance comes from Reading Street Pastors, a volunteer program that patrols the streets from 10.30pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers offer assistance at night time on the town\u2019s streets. In October, the initiative celebrated its\u00a025th anniversary\u00a0and has expanded its activities to events such as Reading Festival and Freshers' Week, as well as launching a\u00a0rail pastors\u2019 scheme.
\nThe Street Pastors also collaborate with First Stop Reading, which operates out of the Safe Space in Chain Street next to Bill\u2019s Restaurant. This service runs from 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and provides medical attention, respite, and basic first aid for minor injuries, intoxication, and other medical needs. It is estimated that this service prevents over 300 emergency department visits each year.
\nThis effort is part of a partnership between Thames Valley Police, the Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Reading\u2019s Business Improvement District (BID).
\nAdditionally, the Pubwatch initiative has brought improvements to security and implemented a banning system, resulting in over 100 individuals being barred from venues for periods ranging from three months to five years.
Getting Home Safely
\nAfter a good night out, and perhaps being rather more vulnerable after a drink or three, getting home safely is a night time priority for Dings. We have excellent buses, but on many routes they become sparse after 7pm.
\nMany older people, especially, do not feel safe going out at home. After a lifetime in the town, one elderly resident told inreading.co.uk that she will no longer visit local pubs after her local closed down, since she does not feel safe in East Reading after dark.\u00a0
\nCllr John Ennis, Reading\u2019s lead for climate strategy and transport, commented:
\n\u201cPrivate Hire and Hackney Carriage customers deserve to trust that their driver is properly insured and licensed. Our officers routinely conduct operations in town centre hotspots to enforce these standards. We are thankful for the support from the majority of Reading's law-abiding taxi trade. Unlicensed drivers who undermine this trust will be dealt with firmly to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy.\u201d
\nOther safety measures include spot checks on private hire and taxi drivers to ensure they are licensed and insured. For instance in July 2024, an Uber driver was fined over \u00a31,000 and received eight points on their licence after being caught illegally operating as a driver for the second time. They were also ordered to pay \u00a3775 toward prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of \u00a3120.
\nHowever, hailing a cab in Reading remains difficult, especially if you are not in an area with a taxi rank - such as St Mary\u2019s Butts and the station. There is no app which users can use to hail a taxi, with many reverting to still using Uber - ostensibly banned in the town - and hailing cabs with licences to operate in other areas as a result.
\nEarlier this year Mr Ennis told inreading.co.uk that he was looking into this issue, but to date there seems to be no resolution to the substantial problem of getting home safely after a night out in Reading.
Making Women Feel Safe
\nIn addition to the Ask Angela initiative, leader of Reading Borough Council\u2019s Environmental Services and Community Safety, Karen Rowland, emphasized the Council\u2019s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls in the community ahead of White Ribbon Day. She said:
\n\u201cThis Council takes very seriously the issue of reducing violence against women and girls in our community. Substantial effort goes into ensuring we\u2019re constantly working on strands within the Council and with our partners to support their safety. This includes supporting Reading BID\u2019s training of venue staff, enhancing lighting and CCTV in the town centre.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nSocial Trends
\nThe UK has experienced a notable number of nightclub closures, with reports indicating the loss of three nightclubs per week since the start of 2024. Reading has lost legendary venues such as After Dark (once subject to a discussion between Kate Winslet and Ricky Gervais on a primetime US chatshow) and the Q Club.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/67b881ed.jpeg\")
Music Venues are also challenged, although there seems to be a healthier roots music scene in Reading with Calico on London Road \u00a0offering jazz and blues evenings and the legendary Purple Turtle looking to expand. Gigs at Blue Corner and music sessions in bars such as The Oakford Social and pubs such as The Fisherman\u2019s Cottage have also proven that there is still life in our music scene.
\nThe decline of Reading\u2019s pubs has long been noted on these pages. The thirsty biscuit makers have been replaced by more abstemious IT workers, who are often teetotal. Equally, students seem to have become a lot more serious about their studies. A former Reading student, more recently a Professor at another university, commented: \u201cStudents these days seem to spend more time in lectures that they do in the pub. I\u2019m not surprised that Newtown only has two pubs left.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/9739cfc4.jpg\")
Music Venues
\nReading has long lacked a primary venue, and the scaled-back refurbishment of the Hexagon may prove to be a massive missed opportunity. The venue is too small to attract a decent schedule of music acts. The reality is that Reading probably has too many small venues and lacks a decent venue to rival Oxford\u2019s New Theatre or Bath\u2019s Forum. A capacity of 2,000 seems to be the magic number these days and the Hexagon will remain at around 1,200 and deemed too small for many comedy and music tours.
\n\u00a0
\nCinemas
\nCinemas have had an especially rough time in recent years, failing to recover after the pandemic, despite some notable blockbuster box office hits. During 2025, it looks like Reading will lose its major multiplex with the closure of Vue at Oracle Riverside for redevelopment into flats, leaving only the wonderful Biscuit Factory as the only cinema in the town. Otherwise it's a drive to Winnersh and the Showcase cinema or to the Everyman in Wokingham. Or sitting at home in front of a 75\" screen.
\n\u00a0
\nEconomic Impact
\nIt is likely that 2025 is going to be a year that is economically challenging to local people in our town and the surfeit of restaurants along with increased costs thanks to increased regulation, clamp downs on illegal working, increases in employment taxes and a reduction in rates relief are going to result in a perfect storm for many establishments.
\n\u00a0
\nA Bright Spot \u2013 Bowling
\nIt is pretty clear that \"experiences\" are the way forward for the night time economy. There are already many escape room experiences in Reading (see our Directory), and 2025 is going to become the Year of Bowling.
\nThe major development in 2025 will be the advent of not one, not two, not three, but potentially four bowling alleys to add to the small existing facility at Spinners.
It is astonishing that this has been a glaring hole in the town's social scene - Wokingham and Bracknell have long had bowling alleys. You can read more about this in this recent report in the Chronicle.
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/24811042.bowling-alleys-restaurants-coming-reading-2025/
\u00a0
\nIf you\u2019re looking for something to do in Reading, check out our Do Things section.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\n\u00a0\nAs we enter 2025 it looks like a lot is going to change if you fancy going out in the evening and into the night in Reading. Our team put on their glad rags and headed out on the town to find out what's likely to occur to our night time economy in the year ahead..The New Year is a tough time for pubs and restaurants and this year may prove more challenging than ever for the few pubs left in central Reading, and perhaps even more so for the many restaurants who seem to do better from delivery than they do from bums on seats. So, what are the trends we can expect to see\n\u00a0\nRyanair-Type Dynamic Pricing For Drinks ?\nThe average cost of a pint in town has crept beyond the six pound mark in most pubs, but even this does not seem to balance what punters are willing to pay against what pubs need to turn a profit.\nMassive chains such as Weatherspoons, with two pubs in town, and the Lounge Group, with outlets in Caversham, Woodley and Wokingham, are able to provide keenly priced food and drinks and have become a haven for those on tighter budgets.\nBut a new trend is appearing. In London, other pubcos are introducing a surcharge on drinks served after 10pm \u2013 pushing the cost of a pint to just under \u00a310. Could this happen in Reading?\nThe O\u2019Neill\u2019s branch in London's Wardour Street is one of several establishments adopting a dynamic pricing model, with the company owner Mitchells & Butlers citing a request from the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council as the rationale behind the move.\nThe policy has been in effect since 2022, and a company spokesperson told inreading.co.uk that the goal is to ensure that all venues in Soho\u2019s heart maintain similar pricing to help enhance the safety of the night time economy. The reasoning is that if one venue were significantly cheaper, people would flock there, potentially creating safety concerns.\nA spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers stated:\n\u201cThe policy at Wardour Street reflects a request from both the licensing authority and the police that we increase prices after 10pm to a level generally in line with the late-night market. This policy has been in place for about two years.\u201d\nThe company explained that there are circumstances across its portfolio that necessitate this policy - the portfolio includes All Bar One, Harvester, Sizzling Pubs, Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery, Toby Carvery, and Vintage Inns. Additionally, its Castle brand inclusdes Reading's The Oakford Social Club and, at Cemetery Junction, the Hope and Bear.\nThe Mitchells & Butlers spokesperson continued:\n\u201cMost hospitality businesses and retailers deploy a form of dynamic pricing, which can include both price increases and decreases through tactical discounts or time-limited promotions. Dynamic pricing varies on a site-by-site basis, reflecting local market conditions. However, temporary price increases tend to offset additional costs, such as when extra door security is required.\u201d\nYou have long been able to enjoy two for one deals on drinks and food in the late afternoon and early evening, so it would nto be surprising to find this concept extended in the future - \u00a34 for a pint at 5pm and \u00a310 at midnight ?\n\u00a0\nSafety Measures in Reading\u2019s Nightlife\nReading unfortunately saw some rather nasty incidents in 2024 related to drinking establishments, such as the stabbing of Bajan visitor Tharel Thompson, who sustained life-changing injuries in the Walkabout Bar in Reading at the beginning of the year.\nReading Borough Council has introduced several measures to ensure public safety during late-night activity. These include:\n\nInstalling additional CCTV cameras\u00a0across the town.\nEnhancing street lighting\u00a0in areas such as Chain Street and Smelly Alley.\nProviding additional training and support\u00a0for pub and club staff.\n\nThese training sessions have included self-defence techniques and Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training, with a focus on drink spiking and its prevention. To support this, all town centre venues have been equipped with drinking spiking and urine-testing kits.\nCouncil efforts also include supporting the\u00a0Ask for Angela campaign,\u00a0an initiative that allows individuals who feel unsafe to request assistance from bar staff by asking for a fictitious person named Angela.\nAdditional assistance comes from Reading Street Pastors, a volunteer program that patrols the streets from 10.30pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers offer assistance at night time on the town\u2019s streets. In October, the initiative celebrated its\u00a025th anniversary\u00a0and has expanded its activities to events such as Reading Festival and Freshers' Week, as well as launching a\u00a0rail pastors\u2019 scheme.\nThe Street Pastors also collaborate with First Stop Reading, which operates out of the Safe Space in Chain Street next to Bill\u2019s Restaurant. This service runs from 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and provides medical attention, respite, and basic first aid for minor injuries, intoxication, and other medical needs. It is estimated that this service prevents over 300 emergency department visits each year.\nThis effort is part of a partnership between Thames Valley Police, the Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Reading\u2019s Business Improvement District (BID).\nAdditionally, the Pubwatch initiative has brought improvements to security and implemented a banning system, resulting in over 100 individuals being barred from venues for periods ranging from three months to five years.\nGetting Home Safely\nAfter a good night out, and perhaps being rather more vulnerable after a drink or three, getting home safely is a night time priority for Dings. We have excellent buses, but on many routes they become sparse after 7pm.\nMany older people, especially, do not feel safe going out at home. After a lifetime in the town, one elderly resident told inreading.co.uk that she will no longer visit local pubs after her local closed down, since she does not feel safe in East Reading after dark.\u00a0\nCllr John Ennis, Reading\u2019s lead for climate strategy and transport, commented:\n\u201cPrivate Hire and Hackney Carriage customers deserve to trust that their driver is properly insured and licensed. Our officers routinely conduct operations in town centre hotspots to enforce these standards. We are thankful for the support from the majority of Reading's law-abiding taxi trade. Unlicensed drivers who undermine this trust will be dealt with firmly to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy.\u201d\nOther safety measures include spot checks on private hire and taxi drivers to ensure they are licensed and insured. For instance in July 2024, an Uber driver was fined over \u00a31,000 and received eight points on their licence after being caught illegally operating as a driver for the second time. They were also ordered to pay \u00a3775 toward prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of \u00a3120.\nHowever, hailing a cab in Reading remains difficult, especially if you are not in an area with a taxi rank - such as St Mary\u2019s Butts and the station. There is no app which users can use to hail a taxi, with many reverting to still using Uber - ostensibly banned in the town - and hailing cabs with licences to operate in other areas as a result.\nEarlier this year Mr Ennis told inreading.co.uk that he was looking into this issue, but to date there seems to be no resolution to the substantial problem of getting home safely after a night out in Reading.\nMaking Women Feel Safe\nIn addition to the Ask Angela initiative, leader of Reading Borough Council\u2019s Environmental Services and Community Safety, Karen Rowland, emphasized the Council\u2019s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls in the community ahead of White Ribbon Day. She said:\n\u201cThis Council takes very seriously the issue of reducing violence against women and girls in our community. Substantial effort goes into ensuring we\u2019re constantly working on strands within the Council and with our partners to support their safety. This includes supporting Reading BID\u2019s training of venue staff, enhancing lighting and CCTV in the town centre.\u201d\n\u00a0\nSocial Trends\nThe UK has experienced a notable number of nightclub closures, with reports indicating the loss of three nightclubs per week since the start of 2024. Reading has lost legendary venues such as After Dark (once subject to a discussion between Kate Winslet and Ricky Gervais on a primetime US chatshow) and the Q Club.\n\nMusic Venues are also challenged, although there seems to be a healthier roots music scene in Reading with Calico on London Road \u00a0offering jazz and blues evenings and the legendary Purple Turtle looking to expand. Gigs at Blue Corner and music sessions in bars such as The Oakford Social and pubs such as The Fisherman\u2019s Cottage have also proven that there is still life in our music scene.\nThe decline of Reading\u2019s pubs has long been noted on these pages. The thirsty biscuit makers have been replaced by more abstemious IT workers, who are often teetotal. Equally, students seem to have become a lot more serious about their studies. A former Reading student, more recently a Professor at another university, commented: \u201cStudents these days seem to spend more time in lectures that they do in the pub. I\u2019m not surprised that Newtown only has two pubs left.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\nMusic Venues\nReading has long lacked a primary venue, and the scaled-back refurbishment of the Hexagon may prove to be a massive missed opportunity. The venue is too small to attract a decent schedule of music acts. The reality is that Reading probably has too many small venues and lacks a decent venue to rival Oxford\u2019s New Theatre or Bath\u2019s Forum. A capacity of 2,000 seems to be the magic number these days and the Hexagon will remain at around 1,200 and deemed too small for many comedy and music tours.\n\u00a0\nCinemas\nCinemas have had an especially rough time in recent years, failing to recover after the pandemic, despite some notable blockbuster box office hits. During 2025, it looks like Reading will lose its major multiplex with the closure of Vue at Oracle Riverside for redevelopment into flats, leaving only the wonderful Biscuit Factory as the only cinema in the town. Otherwise it's a drive to Winnersh and the Showcase cinema or to the Everyman in Wokingham. Or sitting at home in front of a 75\" screen.\n\u00a0\nEconomic Impact\nIt is likely that 2025 is going to be a year that is economically challenging to local people in our town and the surfeit of restaurants along with increased costs thanks to increased regulation, clamp downs on illegal working, increases in employment taxes and a reduction in rates relief are going to result in a perfect storm for many establishments.\n\u00a0\nA Bright Spot \u2013 Bowling\nIt is pretty clear that \"experiences\" are the way forward for the night time economy. There are already many escape room experiences in Reading (see our Directory), and 2025 is going to become the Year of Bowling.\nThe major development in 2025 will be the advent of not one, not two, not three, but potentially four bowling alleys to add to the small existing facility at Spinners.It is astonishing that this has been a glaring hole in the town's social scene - Wokingham and Bracknell have long had bowling alleys. You can read more about this in this recent report in the Chronicle.https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/24811042.bowling-alleys-restaurants-coming-reading-2025/\n\u00a0\nIf you\u2019re looking for something to do in Reading, check out our Do Things section.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "As we enter 2025 it looks like a lot is going to change if you fancy going out in the evening and into the night in Reading. Our team put on their glad rags and headed out on the town to find out what's likely to occur to our night time economy in the year ahead.. The New Year is a tough time for pubs and restaurants and this year may prove more challenging than ever for the few pubs left in ce...", "date_published": "2024-11-01T17:09:54+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:30.154193+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7b994d32.jpeg", "tags": [ "Local Info" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7b994d32.jpeg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading Nightlife - Not Going Out ?", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 2389, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\nAs we enter 2025 it looks like a lot is going to change if you fancy going out in the evening and into the night in Reading. Our team put on their glad rags and headed out on the town to find out what's likely to occur to our night time economy in the year ahead..
The New Year is a tough time for pubs and restaurants and this year may prove more challenging than ever for the few pubs left in central Reading, and perhaps even more so for the many restaurants who seem to do better from delivery than they do from bums on seats. So, what are the trends we can expect to see
\u00a0
\nRyanair-Type Dynamic Pricing For Drinks ?
\nThe average cost of a pint in town has crept beyond the six pound mark in most pubs, but even this does not seem to balance what punters are willing to pay against what pubs need to turn a profit.
\nMassive chains such as Weatherspoons, with two pubs in town, and the Lounge Group, with outlets in Caversham, Woodley and Wokingham, are able to provide keenly priced food and drinks and have become a haven for those on tighter budgets.
\nBut a new trend is appearing. In London, other pubcos are introducing a surcharge on drinks served after 10pm \u2013 pushing the cost of a pint to just under \u00a310. Could this happen in Reading?
\nThe O\u2019Neill\u2019s branch in London's Wardour Street is one of several establishments adopting a dynamic pricing model, with the company owner Mitchells & Butlers citing a request from the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council as the rationale behind the move.
\nThe policy has been in effect since 2022, and a company spokesperson told inreading.co.uk that the goal is to ensure that all venues in Soho\u2019s heart maintain similar pricing to help enhance the safety of the night time economy. The reasoning is that if one venue were significantly cheaper, people would flock there, potentially creating safety concerns.
\nA spokesperson for Mitchells & Butlers stated:
\n\u201cThe policy at Wardour Street reflects a request from both the licensing authority and the police that we increase prices after 10pm to a level generally in line with the late-night market. This policy has been in place for about two years.\u201d
\nThe company explained that there are circumstances across its portfolio that necessitate this policy - the portfolio includes All Bar One, Harvester, Sizzling Pubs, Stonehouse Pizza and Carvery, Toby Carvery, and Vintage Inns. Additionally, its Castle brand inclusdes Reading's The Oakford Social Club and, at Cemetery Junction, the Hope and Bear.
\nThe Mitchells & Butlers spokesperson continued:
\n\u201cMost hospitality businesses and retailers deploy a form of dynamic pricing, which can include both price increases and decreases through tactical discounts or time-limited promotions. Dynamic pricing varies on a site-by-site basis, reflecting local market conditions. However, temporary price increases tend to offset additional costs, such as when extra door security is required.\u201d
\nYou have long been able to enjoy two for one deals on drinks and food in the late afternoon and early evening, so it would nto be surprising to find this concept extended in the future - \u00a34 for a pint at 5pm and \u00a310 at midnight ?
\n\u00a0
\nSafety Measures in Reading\u2019s Nightlife
\nReading unfortunately saw some rather nasty incidents in 2024 related to drinking establishments, such as the stabbing of Bajan visitor Tharel Thompson, who sustained life-changing injuries in the Walkabout Bar in Reading at the beginning of the year.
\nReading Borough Council has introduced several measures to ensure public safety during late-night activity. These include:
\nThese training sessions have included self-defence techniques and Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training, with a focus on drink spiking and its prevention. To support this, all town centre venues have been equipped with drinking spiking and urine-testing kits.
\nCouncil efforts also include supporting the\u00a0Ask for Angela campaign,\u00a0an initiative that allows individuals who feel unsafe to request assistance from bar staff by asking for a fictitious person named Angela.
\nAdditional assistance comes from Reading Street Pastors, a volunteer program that patrols the streets from 10.30pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers offer assistance at night time on the town\u2019s streets. In October, the initiative celebrated its\u00a025th anniversary\u00a0and has expanded its activities to events such as Reading Festival and Freshers' Week, as well as launching a\u00a0rail pastors\u2019 scheme.
\nThe Street Pastors also collaborate with First Stop Reading, which operates out of the Safe Space in Chain Street next to Bill\u2019s Restaurant. This service runs from 9pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and provides medical attention, respite, and basic first aid for minor injuries, intoxication, and other medical needs. It is estimated that this service prevents over 300 emergency department visits each year.
\nThis effort is part of a partnership between Thames Valley Police, the Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Reading\u2019s Business Improvement District (BID).
\nAdditionally, the Pubwatch initiative has brought improvements to security and implemented a banning system, resulting in over 100 individuals being barred from venues for periods ranging from three months to five years.
Getting Home Safely
\nAfter a good night out, and perhaps being rather more vulnerable after a drink or three, getting home safely is a night time priority for Dings. We have excellent buses, but on many routes they become sparse after 7pm.
\nMany older people, especially, do not feel safe going out at home. After a lifetime in the town, one elderly resident told inreading.co.uk that she will no longer visit local pubs after her local closed down, since she does not feel safe in East Reading after dark.\u00a0
\nCllr John Ennis, Reading\u2019s lead for climate strategy and transport, commented:
\n\u201cPrivate Hire and Hackney Carriage customers deserve to trust that their driver is properly insured and licensed. Our officers routinely conduct operations in town centre hotspots to enforce these standards. We are thankful for the support from the majority of Reading's law-abiding taxi trade. Unlicensed drivers who undermine this trust will be dealt with firmly to maintain public confidence and ensure safety in our nighttime economy.\u201d
\nOther safety measures include spot checks on private hire and taxi drivers to ensure they are licensed and insured. For instance in July 2024, an Uber driver was fined over \u00a31,000 and received eight points on their licence after being caught illegally operating as a driver for the second time. They were also ordered to pay \u00a3775 toward prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of \u00a3120.
\nHowever, hailing a cab in Reading remains difficult, especially if you are not in an area with a taxi rank - such as St Mary\u2019s Butts and the station. There is no app which users can use to hail a taxi, with many reverting to still using Uber - ostensibly banned in the town - and hailing cabs with licences to operate in other areas as a result.
\nEarlier this year Mr Ennis told inreading.co.uk that he was looking into this issue, but to date there seems to be no resolution to the substantial problem of getting home safely after a night out in Reading.
Making Women Feel Safe
\nIn addition to the Ask Angela initiative, leader of Reading Borough Council\u2019s Environmental Services and Community Safety, Karen Rowland, emphasized the Council\u2019s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls in the community ahead of White Ribbon Day. She said:
\n\u201cThis Council takes very seriously the issue of reducing violence against women and girls in our community. Substantial effort goes into ensuring we\u2019re constantly working on strands within the Council and with our partners to support their safety. This includes supporting Reading BID\u2019s training of venue staff, enhancing lighting and CCTV in the town centre.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nSocial Trends
\nThe UK has experienced a notable number of nightclub closures, with reports indicating the loss of three nightclubs per week since the start of 2024. Reading has lost legendary venues such as After Dark (once subject to a discussion between Kate Winslet and Ricky Gervais on a primetime US chatshow) and the Q Club.
\n
Music Venues are also challenged, although there seems to be a healthier roots music scene in Reading with Calico on London Road \u00a0offering jazz and blues evenings and the legendary Purple Turtle looking to expand. Gigs at Blue Corner and music sessions in bars such as The Oakford Social and pubs such as The Fisherman\u2019s Cottage have also proven that there is still life in our music scene.
\nThe decline of Reading\u2019s pubs has long been noted on these pages. The thirsty biscuit makers have been replaced by more abstemious IT workers, who are often teetotal. Equally, students seem to have become a lot more serious about their studies. A former Reading student, more recently a Professor at another university, commented: \u201cStudents these days seem to spend more time in lectures that they do in the pub. I\u2019m not surprised that Newtown only has two pubs left.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\n
Music Venues
\nReading has long lacked a primary venue, and the scaled-back refurbishment of the Hexagon may prove to be a massive missed opportunity. The venue is too small to attract a decent schedule of music acts. The reality is that Reading probably has too many small venues and lacks a decent venue to rival Oxford\u2019s New Theatre or Bath\u2019s Forum. A capacity of 2,000 seems to be the magic number these days and the Hexagon will remain at around 1,200 and deemed too small for many comedy and music tours.
\n\u00a0
\nCinemas
\nCinemas have had an especially rough time in recent years, failing to recover after the pandemic, despite some notable blockbuster box office hits. During 2025, it looks like Reading will lose its major multiplex with the closure of Vue at Oracle Riverside for redevelopment into flats, leaving only the wonderful Biscuit Factory as the only cinema in the town. Otherwise it's a drive to Winnersh and the Showcase cinema or to the Everyman in Wokingham. Or sitting at home in front of a 75\" screen.
\n\u00a0
\nEconomic Impact
\nIt is likely that 2025 is going to be a year that is economically challenging to local people in our town and the surfeit of restaurants along with increased costs thanks to increased regulation, clamp downs on illegal working, increases in employment taxes and a reduction in rates relief are going to result in a perfect storm for many establishments.
\n\u00a0
\nA Bright Spot \u2013 Bowling
\nIt is pretty clear that \"experiences\" are the way forward for the night time economy. There are already many escape room experiences in Reading (see our Directory), and 2025 is going to become the Year of Bowling.
\nThe major development in 2025 will be the advent of not one, not two, not three, but potentially four bowling alleys to add to the small existing facility at Spinners.
It is astonishing that this has been a glaring hole in the town's social scene - Wokingham and Bracknell have long had bowling alleys. You can read more about this in this recent report in the Chronicle.
https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/24811042.bowling-alleys-restaurants-coming-reading-2025/
\u00a0
\nIf you\u2019re looking for something to do in Reading, check out our Do Things section.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "description": "As we enter 2025 it looks like a lot is going to change if you fancy going out in the evening and into the night in Reading. Our team put on their glad rags and headed out on the town to find out what's likely to occur to our night time economy in the year ahead.. The New Year is a tough time for pubs and restaurants and this year may prove more challenging than ever for the few pubs left in ce...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:30.154193+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT9M", "datePublished": "2024-11-01T17:09:54+00:00", "articleSection": "Local Info", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/reading-nightlife-not-going-out/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 9 } }, { "id": "284", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/looking-back-in-anger/", "title": "Looking Back In Anger", "content_html": "\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7bc884c3.jpg\")
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nIt's a year since we published the first inReading ezine in order to bring more in depth journalism and more video coverage to our town, complementing the excellent work done by our local journalists and bloggers. So we thought we'd have a look back at some of the major stories and update you on the most recent development.
Inevitably, many have become sagas that are still playing out in the pages of our local media, which you can follow via our newsfeed.
Reading FC
It's barely worth adding anything to the endless tale that is the slow and sad recent demise of our local football team.
Currently saved only by a residual transfer commission (paid when a former player is sold on), the club seems no closer to finding a new proprietor than it was a year ago after US investor Rob Couhig recently walked away.
In our February 24 edition we conjectured that the only real option was bankruptcy and rebuilding, and, unfortunately, this seems to now be an ever more realistic option.
Thames Valley League Beckons For Reading FC - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)
Thames Water
Another endless saga is the situation with our water and sewage provider, the polluting, avoricious Thames Water. Our already dysfunctional new Labour government seem to have bottled it when it comes to nationalising the company so far, but with no one else willing to stump up any money now that the music has stopped, it looks like we, the customers, will end up paying the bill for all those dividends that have been paid down the years to Canadian teachers and Australian private equity types. yet, at the same time OFWAT has just fined the company \u00a356.8m as they seek to refinance.
There seems to be a sense of inevitability that bankruptcy is the only way this situation will eventually resolve itself. In the meantime service levels will continue to fall and the sewage will continue to rise...
Thames Water - The Perfect Storm - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)
Pubs Closing
The sad trend of pubs closing in East Reading seems to have slowed down, but only because there are so few left. It has been good to see The Rising Sun open, albeit on the other side of the town centre and The Fisherman's Cottage, The Retreat and The Lyndhurst still open. However, the latest closure is The Traveller's Rest, one of the last two pubs left in Lower Caversham.
Is Time Called For The Pubs Of East Reading ? - December 2023 (inreading.co.uk)
\n\u00a0
\nReading Jail
\nThis other endless saga seemed to come to a head earlier this year with the purchase of the site by a Chinese 'foundation'. See our article above for an update.
\n
Transport
In a recent feature we covered the town's very fragmented transport policy.After two nasty accidents Thames Valley police have finally decided to take action against illegal e-scooters and e-bikes.
Here is the press release from the office of the Police Commissioner for the Thames Valley in full:
\"It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public spaces, including on the road. Those who are found to be riding privately owned e-scooters in public risk receiving a large fine, points on their driving licence and seizure of their e-scooter.\"
To be legal, an e-bike has to comply with legislation and the rider must be over the age of 14, for more details on this go to Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance \u2013 GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Since 1 June this year, Thames Valley Police seized 118 e-scooters and e-bikes, with 21 of these seizures occurring since the beginning of September.
Officers often receive complaints from members of the public around the misuse of these vehicles, due to riders driving carelessly and at excessive speeds. This causes significant risks to both the rider and pedestrians, as well as others using the road network or footpaths.
Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks we have seen two serious incidents involving e-scooters in the Thames Valley, demonstrating why tackling this issue is so important.
There was an incident on Binfield Road, Bracknell on Sunday 1 September, where a boy in his teens sustained serious injuries. Whilst riding his e-scooter he swerved to avoid the opening door of a parked van and collided with a lamppost.
There was also an incident at the junction of Avebury Boulevard and Witan Gate, Milton Keynes on Friday 6 September, where a woman in her sixties was struck by someone riding an e-scooter and sustained serious head injuries.
Seizing vehicles is only one part of our response, there is also ongoing education work that neighbourhood officers do in schools and with parents to generate awareness that private e-scooters can only be used on private land, with the land owner\u2019s permission, to try and prevent illegal use or to inform those thinking of buying one.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: \u201cI share the concerns of many residents about the dangerous and reckless riding of e-bikes and e-scooters. I have asked the Chief Constable to increase enforcement activity, and I support the work of the Police to take illegal vehicles of any kind off the roads.
\u201cEnforcement is important, but I also call on the government to tighten up the law on these vehicles.\u201d
Community Policing Command Inspector Mike Darrah said: \u201cDangerous, illegal, and inappropriate use of both e-scooters and e-bikes poses serious risks in the community and is something the public continue to rightly raise to us as a concern.
\u201cThese stats highlight the progress we are making in dealing with this issue but as the incidents of the past couple of weeks in different areas of the force show, there is still a lot more work to do.
\u201cThrough both seizing vehicles that are being used illegally and continuing to educate people on the laws, preventing offences, our communities will be safer.\u201d \"
It remains to be seen how much impact this enforcement will have.
Meanwhile, the new bus lane on London Road has resulted in a storm of criticism and tailbacks.
\nTransport Gridlock - August 24 (inreading.co.uk)
\n\u00a0
\nWe're planning to keep on covering and even expand our coverage over the coming few months with a major rebrand.
\nDo get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to contribute to our editorials or content using the link below.
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nIt's a year since we published the first inReading ezine in order to bring more in depth journalism and more video coverage to our town, complementing the excellent work done by our local journalists and bloggers. So we thought we'd have a look back at some of the major stories and update you on the most recent development.Inevitably, many have become sagas that are still playing out in the pages of our local media, which you can follow via our newsfeed.Reading FC\nIt's barely worth adding anything to the endless tale that is the slow and sad recent demise of our local football team.Currently saved only by a residual transfer commission (paid when a former player is sold on), the club seems no closer to finding a new proprietor than it was a year ago after US investor Rob Couhig recently walked away.In our February 24 edition we conjectured that the only real option was bankruptcy and rebuilding, and, unfortunately, this seems to now be an ever more realistic option.\nThames Valley League Beckons For Reading FC - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)Thames WaterAnother endless saga is the situation with our water and sewage provider, the polluting, avoricious Thames Water. Our already dysfunctional new Labour government seem to have bottled it when it comes to nationalising the company so far, but with no one else willing to stump up any money now that the music has stopped, it looks like we, the customers, will end up paying the bill for all those dividends that have been paid down the years to Canadian teachers and Australian private equity types. yet, at the same time OFWAT has just fined the company \u00a356.8m as they seek to refinance.There seems to be a sense of inevitability that bankruptcy is the only way this situation will eventually resolve itself. In the meantime service levels will continue to fall and the sewage will continue to rise...\nThames Water - The Perfect Storm - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)Pubs ClosingThe sad trend of pubs closing in East Reading seems to have slowed down, but only because there are so few left. It has been good to see The Rising Sun open, albeit on the other side of the town centre and The Fisherman's Cottage, The Retreat and The Lyndhurst still open. However, the latest closure is The Traveller's Rest, one of the last two pubs left in Lower Caversham.\nIs Time Called For The Pubs Of East Reading ? - December 2023 (inreading.co.uk)\n\u00a0\nReading Jail\nThis other endless saga seemed to come to a head earlier this year with the purchase of the site by a Chinese 'foundation'. See our article above for an update.\nTransportIn a recent feature we covered the town's very fragmented transport policy.After two nasty accidents Thames Valley police have finally decided to take action against illegal e-scooters and e-bikes.Here is the press release from the office of the Police Commissioner for the Thames Valley in full:\"It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public spaces, including on the road. Those who are found to be riding privately owned e-scooters in public risk receiving a large fine, points on their driving licence and seizure of their e-scooter.\"To be legal, an e-bike has to comply with legislation and the rider must be over the age of 14, for more details on this go to Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance \u2013 GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).Since 1 June this year, Thames Valley Police seized 118 e-scooters and e-bikes, with 21 of these seizures occurring since the beginning of September.Officers often receive complaints from members of the public around the misuse of these vehicles, due to riders driving carelessly and at excessive speeds. This causes significant risks to both the rider and pedestrians, as well as others using the road network or footpaths.Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks we have seen two serious incidents involving e-scooters in the Thames Valley, demonstrating why tackling this issue is so important.There was an incident on Binfield Road, Bracknell on Sunday 1 September, where a boy in his teens sustained serious injuries. Whilst riding his e-scooter he swerved to avoid the opening door of a parked van and collided with a lamppost.There was also an incident at the junction of Avebury Boulevard and Witan Gate, Milton Keynes on Friday 6 September, where a woman in her sixties was struck by someone riding an e-scooter and sustained serious head injuries.Seizing vehicles is only one part of our response, there is also ongoing education work that neighbourhood officers do in schools and with parents to generate awareness that private e-scooters can only be used on private land, with the land owner\u2019s permission, to try and prevent illegal use or to inform those thinking of buying one.Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: \u201cI share the concerns of many residents about the dangerous and reckless riding of e-bikes and e-scooters. I have asked the Chief Constable to increase enforcement activity, and I support the work of the Police to take illegal vehicles of any kind off the roads.\u201cEnforcement is important, but I also call on the government to tighten up the law on these vehicles.\u201dCommunity Policing Command Inspector Mike Darrah said: \u201cDangerous, illegal, and inappropriate use of both e-scooters and e-bikes poses serious risks in the community and is something the public continue to rightly raise to us as a concern.\u201cThese stats highlight the progress we are making in dealing with this issue but as the incidents of the past couple of weeks in different areas of the force show, there is still a lot more work to do.\u201cThrough both seizing vehicles that are being used illegally and continuing to educate people on the laws, preventing offences, our communities will be safer.\u201d \"It remains to be seen how much impact this enforcement will have.\nMeanwhile, the new bus lane on London Road has resulted in a storm of criticism and tailbacks.\nTransport Gridlock - August 24 (inreading.co.uk)\n\u00a0\nWe're planning to keep on covering and even expand our coverage over the coming few months with a major rebrand.\nDo get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to contribute to our editorials or content using the link below.", "summary": "It's a year since we published the first inReading ezine in order to bring more in depth journalism and more video coverage to our town, complementing the excellent work done by our local journalists and bloggers. So we thought we'd have a look back at some of the major stories and update you on the most recent development. Inevitably, many have become sagas that are still playing out in the pa...", "date_published": "2024-09-30T13:43:41+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:29.295041+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7bc884c3.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7bc884c3.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Looking Back In Anger", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1269, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nIt's a year since we published the first inReading ezine in order to bring more in depth journalism and more video coverage to our town, complementing the excellent work done by our local journalists and bloggers. So we thought we'd have a look back at some of the major stories and update you on the most recent development.
Inevitably, many have become sagas that are still playing out in the pages of our local media, which you can follow via our newsfeed.
Reading FC
It's barely worth adding anything to the endless tale that is the slow and sad recent demise of our local football team.
Currently saved only by a residual transfer commission (paid when a former player is sold on), the club seems no closer to finding a new proprietor than it was a year ago after US investor Rob Couhig recently walked away.
In our February 24 edition we conjectured that the only real option was bankruptcy and rebuilding, and, unfortunately, this seems to now be an ever more realistic option.
Thames Valley League Beckons For Reading FC - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)
Thames Water
Another endless saga is the situation with our water and sewage provider, the polluting, avoricious Thames Water. Our already dysfunctional new Labour government seem to have bottled it when it comes to nationalising the company so far, but with no one else willing to stump up any money now that the music has stopped, it looks like we, the customers, will end up paying the bill for all those dividends that have been paid down the years to Canadian teachers and Australian private equity types. yet, at the same time OFWAT has just fined the company \u00a356.8m as they seek to refinance.
There seems to be a sense of inevitability that bankruptcy is the only way this situation will eventually resolve itself. In the meantime service levels will continue to fall and the sewage will continue to rise...
Thames Water - The Perfect Storm - February 2024 (inreading.co.uk)
Pubs Closing
The sad trend of pubs closing in East Reading seems to have slowed down, but only because there are so few left. It has been good to see The Rising Sun open, albeit on the other side of the town centre and The Fisherman's Cottage, The Retreat and The Lyndhurst still open. However, the latest closure is The Traveller's Rest, one of the last two pubs left in Lower Caversham.
Is Time Called For The Pubs Of East Reading ? - December 2023 (inreading.co.uk)
\n\u00a0
\nReading Jail
\nThis other endless saga seemed to come to a head earlier this year with the purchase of the site by a Chinese 'foundation'. See our article above for an update.
\n
Transport
In a recent feature we covered the town's very fragmented transport policy.After two nasty accidents Thames Valley police have finally decided to take action against illegal e-scooters and e-bikes.
Here is the press release from the office of the Police Commissioner for the Thames Valley in full:
\"It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public spaces, including on the road. Those who are found to be riding privately owned e-scooters in public risk receiving a large fine, points on their driving licence and seizure of their e-scooter.\"
To be legal, an e-bike has to comply with legislation and the rider must be over the age of 14, for more details on this go to Electric bikes: licensing, tax and insurance \u2013 GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Since 1 June this year, Thames Valley Police seized 118 e-scooters and e-bikes, with 21 of these seizures occurring since the beginning of September.
Officers often receive complaints from members of the public around the misuse of these vehicles, due to riders driving carelessly and at excessive speeds. This causes significant risks to both the rider and pedestrians, as well as others using the road network or footpaths.
Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks we have seen two serious incidents involving e-scooters in the Thames Valley, demonstrating why tackling this issue is so important.
There was an incident on Binfield Road, Bracknell on Sunday 1 September, where a boy in his teens sustained serious injuries. Whilst riding his e-scooter he swerved to avoid the opening door of a parked van and collided with a lamppost.
There was also an incident at the junction of Avebury Boulevard and Witan Gate, Milton Keynes on Friday 6 September, where a woman in her sixties was struck by someone riding an e-scooter and sustained serious head injuries.
Seizing vehicles is only one part of our response, there is also ongoing education work that neighbourhood officers do in schools and with parents to generate awareness that private e-scooters can only be used on private land, with the land owner\u2019s permission, to try and prevent illegal use or to inform those thinking of buying one.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: \u201cI share the concerns of many residents about the dangerous and reckless riding of e-bikes and e-scooters. I have asked the Chief Constable to increase enforcement activity, and I support the work of the Police to take illegal vehicles of any kind off the roads.
\u201cEnforcement is important, but I also call on the government to tighten up the law on these vehicles.\u201d
Community Policing Command Inspector Mike Darrah said: \u201cDangerous, illegal, and inappropriate use of both e-scooters and e-bikes poses serious risks in the community and is something the public continue to rightly raise to us as a concern.
\u201cThese stats highlight the progress we are making in dealing with this issue but as the incidents of the past couple of weeks in different areas of the force show, there is still a lot more work to do.
\u201cThrough both seizing vehicles that are being used illegally and continuing to educate people on the laws, preventing offences, our communities will be safer.\u201d \"
It remains to be seen how much impact this enforcement will have.
Meanwhile, the new bus lane on London Road has resulted in a storm of criticism and tailbacks.
\nTransport Gridlock - August 24 (inreading.co.uk)
\n\u00a0
\nWe're planning to keep on covering and even expand our coverage over the coming few months with a major rebrand.
\nDo get in touch if you have any ideas or would like to contribute to our editorials or content using the link below.
", "description": "It's a year since we published the first inReading ezine in order to bring more in depth journalism and more video coverage to our town, complementing the excellent work done by our local journalists and bloggers. So we thought we'd have a look back at some of the major stories and update you on the most recent development. Inevitably, many have become sagas that are still playing out in the pa...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:29.295041+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2024-09-30T13:43:41+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/looking-back-in-anger/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "283", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/vino-vita/", "title": "Eating Out - Vino Vita", "content_html": "
I am writing this review far from Reading in a village in Wales that used to have a bank. It closed down and the next village became the closest bank. And that closed down. And then the nearest town (18 miles away) had the nearest bank. And, yes, you guessed... I have no idea where you can find a branch of any bank in Wales any more. I think they have all gone offshore. Even in Reading, a town that used to have thirty banks, there are barely more than a handful left.
Which neatly sets up my premise for this month's review that no one under 50 will appreciate. 'Your bank has become a trendy wine bar'.
That was quite a trend in the 80s and 90s. But wine bars ? What happened to them ? Now there seem to be more banks than wine bars. Wine bars were places you could go and not come out smelling of fags having had a nice plate of cheese with your Beaujolais Nouveau on a cold November night. They launched at a time when the UK was moving beyond Blue Nun and Matteus Rose into Bulgarian and Australian wines. Gradually they paired off with local pubs and had babies like the Slug & Lettuce and All Bar One chains that, theoretically gave you the best of both worlds.
Vino Vita used to be part of a chain called Veeno before going it alone. So, today, it is an independent wine bar with Italian grub. Rather good wine and nice grub, it has to be said.
It had been my intention to test the menu, but somehow we ended up with the mixed platter for two and a very fine wine I had never encountered before (and I have encountered most wines, my friends..). Aglianico is a fine, deep and strong Calabrian wine from that area of Italy just above the foot and on its way to Sicilly.
So the reasonably lengthy menu of Italian favourites remained untroubled, I'm afraid, as we tucked into our lovely dark deep tipple on an autumn day with the leaves swirling from Forbury Park to the now empty outside seating area, which is a great bolt hole on a summer's evening.
But, of course, we got the nibble by around 3pm and ordered the sharing plate.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/fa0e2e49.jpg\")
\r\n
After all, this is a restaurant review and Vino Vita manages to walk a tightrope between being a traditional wine bar and a fully fledged restaurant with a full menu including pastas and pizzas.
\r\nHowever, the decor and the furniture has remained largely unchanged since its Veeno days, so you are confused about where you eat and where you drink and nibble. I think the idea is that it really doesn't matter. However, at my age, with the weight of too many a dinner out on my girth, I do not like to totter as I eat a meal. So, nibbles (as you can see above, that may well be the understatement of the year) on stools - tick; pizza on stools - well maybe; pasts on stools - uhuh...
So, the Grande Board it was (there is also a Grandissimo Board, but I'd hazard a guess we would have had to totter across two high tables to fit such a monster plate between us.
The dish of meats and cheese and crudités and olives was a veritable Italian smorgasbord (can you use that word for anything non-Scandinavian ?) of deliciousness.
I remember previously trying it under its previous guise and thinking that the equivalent dish at the nearby Carluccio's was better coming with courgettes and a bit more variety. But no more. My lunch guest and I spent three hours and two bottles over this delicious spread. It is curious that the two Italians left in central Reading are within a hundred yards of each other, begging comparison).
My main criticism was that the cheese constituent was somewhat paltry and samey - three softish cheeses (I forgot to ask what they were, but none stood out). There were copious amounts of meat - mortadella, proscuttio braesola and salami if my rather hazy memory is correct. There werer three dips based on a tapenade, a garlicky chaeese and tomato plus the obligatory olive oil and basalmic.
The bread was generous, but more focaccia was called for. There was a lot of taralli, the rounded biscuit like snack loved in Southern Italy, but something not to my taste, and olives and grapes.
It was a delightful spread. A perfect excuse for drinking too much red wine on a Wednesday afternoon. But then we were old school, brought up at a time when business was done after a hearty lunch and then you went home (have you ever watched Mad Men ?).
For me Aglianico was a discovery. A totally new Campanian revalation. Thick, rich sweet and deep. It just suited an afternoon of deep discussion and wide ranging meats, cheese and accompaniments perfectly. When I ran a business in Italian in the deep dark past my biggest take away was not how good the food was, but how difficult it was to get some of the best wines in the world outside its borders. Instead it became an excuse to visit often...
Indeed, buy me a glass or two and I will regale you with tales from my honeymoon, when we passed through this deep region of Italy and in Pizzo, in the harbour, had a full on encounter with an 'Ndrangheta godfather, along with moll and bodyguard... But this is Reading and the lovely Greek manager looked after us royally with no need to check the kitchens for shooters on the way in. Although after that wine i migth have tried to leave by the kitchen door.
This is a lovely independent trader that Reading desperately needs. The location is a bit awkward, especially that everyone now works from home, but if you are on a blind date or on a catch up with your friends, or especially want that most unfashionable of things, a boozy lunch, make this a destination.
I am writing this review far from Reading in a village in Wales that used to have a bank. It closed down and the next village became the closest bank. And that closed down. And then the nearest town (18 miles away) had the nearest bank. And, yes, you guessed... I have no idea where you can find a branch of any bank in Wales any more. I think they have all gone offshore. Even in Reading, a town that used to have thirty banks, there are barely more than a handful left.
Which neatly sets up my premise for this month's review that no one under 50 will appreciate. 'Your bank has become a trendy wine bar'.
That was quite a trend in the 80s and 90s. But wine bars ? What happened to them ? Now there seem to be more banks than wine bars. Wine bars were places you could go and not come out smelling of fags having had a nice plate of cheese with your Beaujolais Nouveau on a cold November night. They launched at a time when the UK was moving beyond Blue Nun and Matteus Rose into Bulgarian and Australian wines. Gradually they paired off with local pubs and had babies like the Slug & Lettuce and All Bar One chains that, theoretically gave you the best of both worlds.
Vino Vita used to be part of a chain called Veeno before going it alone. So, today, it is an independent wine bar with Italian grub. Rather good wine and nice grub, it has to be said.
It had been my intention to test the menu, but somehow we ended up with the mixed platter for two and a very fine wine I had never encountered before (and I have encountered most wines, my friends..). Aglianico is a fine, deep and strong Calabrian wine from that area of Italy just above the foot and on its way to Sicilly.
So the reasonably lengthy menu of Italian favourites remained untroubled, I'm afraid, as we tucked into our lovely dark deep tipple on an autumn day with the leaves swirling from Forbury Park to the now empty outside seating area, which is a great bolt hole on a summer's evening.
But, of course, we got the nibble by around 3pm and ordered the sharing plate.
\r\n
After all, this is a restaurant review and Vino Vita manages to walk a tightrope between being a traditional wine bar and a fully fledged restaurant with a full menu including pastas and pizzas.
\r\nHowever, the decor and the furniture has remained largely unchanged since its Veeno days, so you are confused about where you eat and where you drink and nibble. I think the idea is that it really doesn't matter. However, at my age, with the weight of too many a dinner out on my girth, I do not like to totter as I eat a meal. So, nibbles (as you can see above, that may well be the understatement of the year) on stools - tick; pizza on stools - well maybe; pasts on stools - uhuh...
So, the Grande Board it was (there is also a Grandissimo Board, but I'd hazard a guess we would have had to totter across two high tables to fit such a monster plate between us.
The dish of meats and cheese and crudités and olives was a veritable Italian smorgasbord (can you use that word for anything non-Scandinavian ?) of deliciousness.
I remember previously trying it under its previous guise and thinking that the equivalent dish at the nearby Carluccio's was better coming with courgettes and a bit more variety. But no more. My lunch guest and I spent three hours and two bottles over this delicious spread. It is curious that the two Italians left in central Reading are within a hundred yards of each other, begging comparison).
My main criticism was that the cheese constituent was somewhat paltry and samey - three softish cheeses (I forgot to ask what they were, but none stood out). There were copious amounts of meat - mortadella, proscuttio braesola and salami if my rather hazy memory is correct. There werer three dips based on a tapenade, a garlicky chaeese and tomato plus the obligatory olive oil and basalmic.
The bread was generous, but more focaccia was called for. There was a lot of taralli, the rounded biscuit like snack loved in Southern Italy, but something not to my taste, and olives and grapes.
It was a delightful spread. A perfect excuse for drinking too much red wine on a Wednesday afternoon. But then we were old school, brought up at a time when business was done after a hearty lunch and then you went home (have you ever watched Mad Men ?).
For me Aglianico was a discovery. A totally new Campanian revalation. Thick, rich sweet and deep. It just suited an afternoon of deep discussion and wide ranging meats, cheese and accompaniments perfectly. When I ran a business in Italian in the deep dark past my biggest take away was not how good the food was, but how difficult it was to get some of the best wines in the world outside its borders. Instead it became an excuse to visit often...
Indeed, buy me a glass or two and I will regale you with tales from my honeymoon, when we passed through this deep region of Italy and in Pizzo, in the harbour, had a full on encounter with an 'Ndrangheta godfather, along with moll and bodyguard... But this is Reading and the lovely Greek manager looked after us royally with no need to check the kitchens for shooters on the way in. Although after that wine i migth have tried to leave by the kitchen door.
This is a lovely independent trader that Reading desperately needs. The location is a bit awkward, especially that everyone now works from home, but if you are on a blind date or on a catch up with your friends, or especially want that most unfashionable of things, a boozy lunch, make this a destination.
\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/0180a134.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nIt is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word R\u0113adingas, which means \"the people of R\u0113ada.\" R\u0113ada is believed to be a personal name, meaning \"the red one\" or \"someone with red hair.\" So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as R\u0113adingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named R\u0113ada. The name has evolved over centuries, but its roots seemingly lie in early Anglo-Saxon England, where it denoted the people or settlement associated with this leader.
There is also the possibility that the land between the Thames and the Kennet was covered in reeds and this may have been another origin of the name.
The spelling of the town of Reading has changed slightly over the centuries, reflecting the linguistic shifts of Old and Middle English. Initially, in the Anglo-Saxon period, it was recorded as R\u0113adingas or Readingum, meaning \"the people of R\u0113ada,\" as noted above.
By the Middle Ages, as Old English evolved into Middle English, the town's name was often written as Redding or Redynge in medieval manuscripts. These variations reflected the fluidity of spelling during that time, as standardisation of English spelling had not yet occurred. The name gradually stabilised as Reading by the early modern period, around the 16th century, as English spelling became more consistent. Since then, the modern spelling has remained largely unchanged, providing a challenge for voice satnavs and for anyone doing web searches where the common noun trumps the placename.
A study by the University of Nottingham has noted the following name changes from ancient documents:
Readingum 871
Readingan c.980 l
in loco Readingon c.1000
Readingan c.1025
Readin c.1047
Readingas c.1100
Readinges l.13th
R\u00e6digam 893
Readii c.1044\u20136
Red(d)inges 1086
Reding' 1152,1153
Redynges 1295
Redyng 1330
Radinges 1152,1153
Radinge 1199\u20131200
Rading c.1230
Reyding' 1268
Reading has birthed quite a few global namesakes. So, let\u2019s take a journey around the world, one Reading at a time.
Reading, Pennsylvania
In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading, PA is the most populous of Reading\u2019s namesakes, home to over 95,000 residents and steeped in American industrial history. Originally settled in 1748 by the sons of William Penn, the town took its name directly from the English Reading, in a nostalgic nod to the homeland of its Quaker founders.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/47140514.jpg\")
What started as a small frontier settlement quickly became an industrialised city during the Industrial Revolution. The Reading Railroad\u2014once one of the world's largest corporations\u2014made the town synonymous with industry and transport. Today, that legacy is immortalised as a property on the classic Monopoly board, though its days as a rail giant are long gone.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/ec576595.avif\")
The city\u2019s story has shifted over the years, and like many post industrial communities, has faced its fair share of economic challenges, Reading, PA, is now a rust belt town with Trump placards on its lawns.
The Reading Public Museum exhibits an Egyptian mummy and works by Degas, and includes a planetarium and arboretum. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum displays vintage aircraft, including military planes. To the south, trails wind through the woodlands and streams of Nolde Forest. To the east, the Daniel Boone Homestead marks the 18th-century birthplace of the legendary frontiersman.
Even closer to its roots, Reading is in Berkshire county and is famous not for biscuits, but for its pretzels. There is also a musical connection. This Reading might not have spawned a world-famous festival, but it's got musical chops of its own. Taylor Swift grew up here and mentioned the town in her song \"Seven\". And The Ramones played their last-ever show here in 1996.
\u00a0
Redding, California
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/852e15b7.jpg\")
Heading westward, there is Redding, California. This town actually takes its name not from our town but from Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad. (However, its spelling and pronunciation echo Reading enough to warrant inclusion.) Nestled at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, this city boomed during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Its proximity to the Shasta and Trinity mountains turned it into a key supply outpost for miners seeking their fortunes during the late 1840s and 1850s.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/dbe45443.jpg\")
Today, Redding is a gateway to outdoor adventure, with tourists flocking to nearby Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the famous Sundial Bridge. More recently, Redding has found itself on the front lines of California\u2019s \u201cGreen Rush\u201d as marijuana legalisation spurred growth in the surrounding region, where the smells in the air would be familiar to many residents of our town.
Reading, Ohio
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/4432a34d.jpg\")
Next on the map is Reading, Ohio, a quiet suburban city in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Founded in 1798, this Reading was named after the Pennsylvania counterpart rather than Berkshire. With just over 10,000 residents, it\u2019s a classic slice of small-town America, complete with Fourth of July parades, and tight-knit neighbourhoods.
Reading, Ohio, might not have the gritty industrial history of its Pennsylvanian cousin, but it does have its own claim to fame: wedding dresses. Bridal Row, as it's affectionately known, is home to a long-standing tradition of bridal boutiques that have turned this sleepy town into a destination for thousands of brides-to-be. It\u2019s a quirky piece of local culture that puts a unique spin on this otherwise quiet midwestern town.
There are also Readings in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kansas and Illinois.
A Tropical Reading
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/4377ca73.png\")
Heading south to the Caribbean, there is the much sunnier and smaller Reading, Jamaica. Situated just outside of the bustling resort city of Montego Bay, Reading is a quaint coastal community that offers a serene, laid-back contrast to the hustle of Jamaica\u2019s tourist hotspots.
This Reading might be tiny, but it boasts picture-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and natural beauty. If the Berkshire Reading represents England\u2019s misty pastures and ancient abbey ruins, then Reading, Jamaica, is its tropical daydream\u2014a paradise with no need for a coat, just a bathing suit and a good book.
Reading Down Under
For our final stop, let\u2019s jump to the Southern Hemisphere and visit Reading in Australia, a small locality tucked away in Queensland. Though far less known than its more prominent counterparts, this Reading is located near the town of Bowen. It\u2019s a peaceful, agricultural area \u2014 home to livestock and crops rather than commuters and festivals.\u00a0
Reading is also a small town in Ontario, with its own Maple Syrup Museum.
Meanwhile, Caversham is a suburb of Dunedin on New Zealand's southern island.
\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nIt is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word R\u0113adingas, which means \"the people of R\u0113ada.\" R\u0113ada is believed to be a personal name, meaning \"the red one\" or \"someone with red hair.\" So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as R\u0113adingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named R\u0113ada. The name has evolved over centuries, but its roots seemingly lie in early Anglo-Saxon England, where it denoted the people or settlement associated with this leader.There is also the possibility that the land between the Thames and the Kennet was covered in reeds and this may have been another origin of the name.The spelling of the town of Reading has changed slightly over the centuries, reflecting the linguistic shifts of Old and Middle English. Initially, in the Anglo-Saxon period, it was recorded as R\u0113adingas or Readingum, meaning \"the people of R\u0113ada,\" as noted above.By the Middle Ages, as Old English evolved into Middle English, the town's name was often written as Redding or Redynge in medieval manuscripts. These variations reflected the fluidity of spelling during that time, as standardisation of English spelling had not yet occurred. The name gradually stabilised as Reading by the early modern period, around the 16th century, as English spelling became more consistent. Since then, the modern spelling has remained largely unchanged, providing a challenge for voice satnavs and for anyone doing web searches where the common noun trumps the placename.A study by the University of Nottingham has noted the following name changes from ancient documents:Readingum 871 Readingan c.980 lin loco Readingon c.1000Readingan c.1025Readin c.1047Readingas c.1100Readinges l.13thR\u00e6digam 893Readii c.1044\u20136Red(d)inges 1086Reding' 1152,1153Redynges 1295Redyng 1330Radinges 1152,1153Radinge 1199\u20131200Rading c.1230Reyding' 1268Reading has birthed quite a few global namesakes. So, let\u2019s take a journey around the world, one Reading at a time.\nReading, PennsylvaniaIn the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading, PA is the most populous of Reading\u2019s namesakes, home to over 95,000 residents and steeped in American industrial history. Originally settled in 1748 by the sons of William Penn, the town took its name directly from the English Reading, in a nostalgic nod to the homeland of its Quaker founders.\nWhat started as a small frontier settlement quickly became an industrialised city during the Industrial Revolution. The Reading Railroad\u2014once one of the world's largest corporations\u2014made the town synonymous with industry and transport. Today, that legacy is immortalised as a property on the classic Monopoly board, though its days as a rail giant are long gone.\n\nThe city\u2019s story has shifted over the years, and like many post industrial communities, has faced its fair share of economic challenges, Reading, PA, is now a rust belt town with Trump placards on its lawns.The Reading Public Museum exhibits an Egyptian mummy and works by Degas, and includes a planetarium and arboretum. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum displays vintage aircraft, including military planes. To the south, trails wind through the woodlands and streams of Nolde Forest. To the east, the Daniel Boone Homestead marks the 18th-century birthplace of the legendary frontiersman. Even closer to its roots, Reading is in Berkshire county and is famous not for biscuits, but for its pretzels. There is also a musical connection. This Reading might not have spawned a world-famous festival, but it's got musical chops of its own. Taylor Swift grew up here and mentioned the town in her song \"Seven\". And The Ramones played their last-ever show here in 1996.\n\u00a0Redding, California\nHeading westward, there is Redding, California. This town actually takes its name not from our town but from Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad. (However, its spelling and pronunciation echo Reading enough to warrant inclusion.) Nestled at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, this city boomed during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Its proximity to the Shasta and Trinity mountains turned it into a key supply outpost for miners seeking their fortunes during the late 1840s and 1850s.\nToday, Redding is a gateway to outdoor adventure, with tourists flocking to nearby Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the famous Sundial Bridge. More recently, Redding has found itself on the front lines of California\u2019s \u201cGreen Rush\u201d as marijuana legalisation spurred growth in the surrounding region, where the smells in the air would be familiar to many residents of our town.\nReading, Ohio\nNext on the map is Reading, Ohio, a quiet suburban city in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Founded in 1798, this Reading was named after the Pennsylvania counterpart rather than Berkshire. With just over 10,000 residents, it\u2019s a classic slice of small-town America, complete with Fourth of July parades, and tight-knit neighbourhoods.Reading, Ohio, might not have the gritty industrial history of its Pennsylvanian cousin, but it does have its own claim to fame: wedding dresses. Bridal Row, as it's affectionately known, is home to a long-standing tradition of bridal boutiques that have turned this sleepy town into a destination for thousands of brides-to-be. It\u2019s a quirky piece of local culture that puts a unique spin on this otherwise quiet midwestern town.There are also Readings in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kansas and Illinois.\nA Tropical Reading\nHeading south to the Caribbean, there is the much sunnier and smaller Reading, Jamaica. Situated just outside of the bustling resort city of Montego Bay, Reading is a quaint coastal community that offers a serene, laid-back contrast to the hustle of Jamaica\u2019s tourist hotspots.This Reading might be tiny, but it boasts picture-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and natural beauty. If the Berkshire Reading represents England\u2019s misty pastures and ancient abbey ruins, then Reading, Jamaica, is its tropical daydream\u2014a paradise with no need for a coat, just a bathing suit and a good book.Reading Down UnderFor our final stop, let\u2019s jump to the Southern Hemisphere and visit Reading in Australia, a small locality tucked away in Queensland. Though far less known than its more prominent counterparts, this Reading is located near the town of Bowen. It\u2019s a peaceful, agricultural area \u2014 home to livestock and crops rather than commuters and festivals.\u00a0Reading is also a small town in Ontario, with its own Maple Syrup Museum.Meanwhile, Caversham is a suburb of Dunedin on New Zealand's southern island.\n\u00a0", "summary": "It is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word R\u0113adingas, which means \"the people of R\u0113ada.\" R\u0113ada is believed to be a personal name, meaning \"the red one\" or \"someone with red hair.\" So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as R\u0113adingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named R\u0113ada. The name has evolved over centuries...", "date_published": "2024-09-30T13:41:26+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:27.945070+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/ba715d91.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/ba715d91.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Readings Around The World", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1416, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nIt is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word R\u0113adingas, which means \"the people of R\u0113ada.\" R\u0113ada is believed to be a personal name, meaning \"the red one\" or \"someone with red hair.\" So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as R\u0113adingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named R\u0113ada. The name has evolved over centuries, but its roots seemingly lie in early Anglo-Saxon England, where it denoted the people or settlement associated with this leader.
There is also the possibility that the land between the Thames and the Kennet was covered in reeds and this may have been another origin of the name.
The spelling of the town of Reading has changed slightly over the centuries, reflecting the linguistic shifts of Old and Middle English. Initially, in the Anglo-Saxon period, it was recorded as R\u0113adingas or Readingum, meaning \"the people of R\u0113ada,\" as noted above.
By the Middle Ages, as Old English evolved into Middle English, the town's name was often written as Redding or Redynge in medieval manuscripts. These variations reflected the fluidity of spelling during that time, as standardisation of English spelling had not yet occurred. The name gradually stabilised as Reading by the early modern period, around the 16th century, as English spelling became more consistent. Since then, the modern spelling has remained largely unchanged, providing a challenge for voice satnavs and for anyone doing web searches where the common noun trumps the placename.
A study by the University of Nottingham has noted the following name changes from ancient documents:
Readingum 871
Readingan c.980 l
in loco Readingon c.1000
Readingan c.1025
Readin c.1047
Readingas c.1100
Readinges l.13th
R\u00e6digam 893
Readii c.1044\u20136
Red(d)inges 1086
Reding' 1152,1153
Redynges 1295
Redyng 1330
Radinges 1152,1153
Radinge 1199\u20131200
Rading c.1230
Reyding' 1268
Reading has birthed quite a few global namesakes. So, let\u2019s take a journey around the world, one Reading at a time.
Reading, Pennsylvania
In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Pennsylvania. Reading, PA is the most populous of Reading\u2019s namesakes, home to over 95,000 residents and steeped in American industrial history. Originally settled in 1748 by the sons of William Penn, the town took its name directly from the English Reading, in a nostalgic nod to the homeland of its Quaker founders.
What started as a small frontier settlement quickly became an industrialised city during the Industrial Revolution. The Reading Railroad\u2014once one of the world's largest corporations\u2014made the town synonymous with industry and transport. Today, that legacy is immortalised as a property on the classic Monopoly board, though its days as a rail giant are long gone.
The city\u2019s story has shifted over the years, and like many post industrial communities, has faced its fair share of economic challenges, Reading, PA, is now a rust belt town with Trump placards on its lawns.
The Reading Public Museum exhibits an Egyptian mummy and works by Degas, and includes a planetarium and arboretum. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum displays vintage aircraft, including military planes. To the south, trails wind through the woodlands and streams of Nolde Forest. To the east, the Daniel Boone Homestead marks the 18th-century birthplace of the legendary frontiersman.
Even closer to its roots, Reading is in Berkshire county and is famous not for biscuits, but for its pretzels. There is also a musical connection. This Reading might not have spawned a world-famous festival, but it's got musical chops of its own. Taylor Swift grew up here and mentioned the town in her song \"Seven\". And The Ramones played their last-ever show here in 1996.
\u00a0
Redding, California
Heading westward, there is Redding, California. This town actually takes its name not from our town but from Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent for the Central Pacific Railroad. (However, its spelling and pronunciation echo Reading enough to warrant inclusion.) Nestled at the northern tip of the Sacramento Valley, this city boomed during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Its proximity to the Shasta and Trinity mountains turned it into a key supply outpost for miners seeking their fortunes during the late 1840s and 1850s.
Today, Redding is a gateway to outdoor adventure, with tourists flocking to nearby Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the famous Sundial Bridge. More recently, Redding has found itself on the front lines of California\u2019s \u201cGreen Rush\u201d as marijuana legalisation spurred growth in the surrounding region, where the smells in the air would be familiar to many residents of our town.
Reading, Ohio
Next on the map is Reading, Ohio, a quiet suburban city in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Founded in 1798, this Reading was named after the Pennsylvania counterpart rather than Berkshire. With just over 10,000 residents, it\u2019s a classic slice of small-town America, complete with Fourth of July parades, and tight-knit neighbourhoods.
Reading, Ohio, might not have the gritty industrial history of its Pennsylvanian cousin, but it does have its own claim to fame: wedding dresses. Bridal Row, as it's affectionately known, is home to a long-standing tradition of bridal boutiques that have turned this sleepy town into a destination for thousands of brides-to-be. It\u2019s a quirky piece of local culture that puts a unique spin on this otherwise quiet midwestern town.
There are also Readings in Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Kansas and Illinois.
A Tropical Reading
Heading south to the Caribbean, there is the much sunnier and smaller Reading, Jamaica. Situated just outside of the bustling resort city of Montego Bay, Reading is a quaint coastal community that offers a serene, laid-back contrast to the hustle of Jamaica\u2019s tourist hotspots.
This Reading might be tiny, but it boasts picture-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking peace and natural beauty. If the Berkshire Reading represents England\u2019s misty pastures and ancient abbey ruins, then Reading, Jamaica, is its tropical daydream\u2014a paradise with no need for a coat, just a bathing suit and a good book.
Reading Down Under
For our final stop, let\u2019s jump to the Southern Hemisphere and visit Reading in Australia, a small locality tucked away in Queensland. Though far less known than its more prominent counterparts, this Reading is located near the town of Bowen. It\u2019s a peaceful, agricultural area \u2014 home to livestock and crops rather than commuters and festivals.\u00a0
Reading is also a small town in Ontario, with its own Maple Syrup Museum.
Meanwhile, Caversham is a suburb of Dunedin on New Zealand's southern island.
\u00a0
", "description": "It is believed that the name Reading originates from the Old English word R\u0113adingas, which means \"the people of R\u0113ada.\" R\u0113ada is believed to be a personal name, meaning \"the red one\" or \"someone with red hair.\" So, the town of Reading, Berkshire, originally referred to as R\u0113adingas, would have been named after a tribe or family group led by a man named R\u0113ada. The name has evolved over centuries...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:27.945070+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2024-09-30T13:41:26+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/readings-around-the-world/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "281", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-ongoing-ballad-of-reading-jail/", "title": "The Ongoing Ballad Of Reading Jail", "content_html": "\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/608269e4.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nNew owners reveal that Reading Jail is set to become a hotel and art gallery. Possibly with robots and AI.
\nThere was some relief and much scepticism when The Ziran Education Foundation acquired Reading Jail earlier this year, and now more details are emerging of their plans for the important town centre site.
\nSpokesman Eric Sun has revealed to the BBC that there are plans afoot to turn the site into a 360 room 'themed' boutique hotel with an art gallery, although how this helps achieve the goals of an education foundation seems not to have been addressed. (You can hear the full interview at the end of this article).
\nThis seems to be the latest and firmest of a series of evolving plans from the company (it is not a charity, in the UK at least). At the time of purchase, a press release from Ziran claimed:
\n\"Ziran Education Foundation stood out in this tough competition. We not only met the zero-debt condition but also surpassed other distinguished competitors to secure the project.
\nZiran Education Foundation, a charitable non-profit organisation recognized for its innovative collaboration with colleges in developing primary and secondary school curricula and education services, proudly announces its successful bid to redevelop the historic Reading Prison. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission of enhancing educational experiences and community engagement.
\nThe Reading Prison project, steeped in cultural and historical significance, presents a unique canvas for ZIRANED Education Foundation to weave its educational expertise into the fabric of the local community. Our vision extends beyond the restoration of this landmark; we aspire to create an educational centre that will serve as a beacon of learning and cultural enrichment.\"
\nWe are deeply honoured to lead the transformation of Reading Prison into a vibrant educational hub,\" expressed [Channing Bi, Ziran Education Foundation]. \"This project is a perfect embodiment of our core values \u2013 to educate, enlighten, and engage. Our planned educational centre will not only preserve the rich history of the site but also serve as a dynamic resource for the local community.\"
\nKey features of the redevelopment include:
\n\u25cf A museum detailing the fascinating history of Reading Prison.
\n\u25cf An exhibition space open to the public, fostering cultural exchange and community involvement.
\n\u25cf Innovative educational programs and services, reinforcing our commitment to learning and development.
\nThis initiative represents more than a redevelopment; it's a commitment to the community and future generations. Proceeds from the sale of the former prison site will be reinvested in the wider prison estate, aiding in efforts to reduce reoffending and protect the public.\"
\nMore recently, in March, The Reading Chronicle reported some equally vague objectives:
\n\"Our aspiration is to create robots tailored to our unique requirements, complementing human efforts in select areas of the premises. Furthermore, we're envisioning the establishment of a distinctive art museum, museum, and an art-inspired hotel.
\n\"Secondly, collaboration with the University of Reading holds immense significance for us.
\n\"We're eager to delve into detailed discussions and mutually beneficial initiatives in conjunction with the esteemed institution.
\n\"Thirdly, we hold immense respect for Reading Borough Council and plan to engage them in dialogue, seeking their guidance as we progress with our plans. Our foremost aim is to contribute positively to Reading's cultural landscape and bolster tourism efforts.\"
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/b2026534.png\")
Little has changed on their website apart from the addition of a graphic with a slogan and a press release. Also added has been a logo for 'Zero Point Energy', but there is scant additional information about this either. But to be fair, from living in Reading we all know how long the process of planning and building takes and this particular site is subject, we hope, to much more scrutiny than others.
\nHowever, it seems that their plans are now taking shape with discussions apparently being held with architecture firms, and both the University and Reading Borough Council being consulted, according to their spokesperson.
\nBuilding a hotel and running an art gallery as part of a not for profit education foundation may seem strange, but many sports stadiums fund themselves by integrating hotels, so this may be just pragmatic.
\nThe company also moved its registered address to the Reading Jail site at the end of May. The company currently has just two Directors, Jun Zhu and Cheng Bi, who is reported to be the philanthropist behind the foundation. He is a citizen of Vanuatu who has apparently resided in Ireland and the UK over the past decade. He is also a Director of Solcode Group Ltd, a dormant company also registered in Forbury Gardens now controlled by Ziran.
\nHowever, concerns about transparency remain. On 13th August Companies House was informed that the long established Flavour Seekers Food Company Limited of 16A Success Building, 245 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong had achieved \"the right to exercise significant.... influence or control over the company\", seemingly replacing Founders Base (Ireland) Ltd, who filed that they no longer have significant control the following day.
\nAfter all that has gone on at Reading FC, the people of Reading are probably right to maintain vigilance on this situation.\u00a0
\nIn the meantime the prison, which has been used for the Artangel art exhibition and as a location for Killing Eve and other TV series and movies, is now under planning application as a temporary firearms training centre for Thames Valley Police.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nReading Jail: \"it's not becoming flats\", says new owner - BBC Sounds
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nNew owners reveal that Reading Jail is set to become a hotel and art gallery. Possibly with robots and AI.\nThere was some relief and much scepticism when The Ziran Education Foundation acquired Reading Jail earlier this year, and now more details are emerging of their plans for the important town centre site.\nSpokesman Eric Sun has revealed to the BBC that there are plans afoot to turn the site into a 360 room 'themed' boutique hotel with an art gallery, although how this helps achieve the goals of an education foundation seems not to have been addressed. (You can hear the full interview at the end of this article).\nThis seems to be the latest and firmest of a series of evolving plans from the company (it is not a charity, in the UK at least). At the time of purchase, a press release from Ziran claimed:\n\"Ziran Education Foundation stood out in this tough competition. We not only met the zero-debt condition but also surpassed other distinguished competitors to secure the project.\nZiran Education Foundation, a charitable non-profit organisation recognized for its innovative collaboration with colleges in developing primary and secondary school curricula and education services, proudly announces its successful bid to redevelop the historic Reading Prison. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission of enhancing educational experiences and community engagement.\nThe Reading Prison project, steeped in cultural and historical significance, presents a unique canvas for ZIRANED Education Foundation to weave its educational expertise into the fabric of the local community. Our vision extends beyond the restoration of this landmark; we aspire to create an educational centre that will serve as a beacon of learning and cultural enrichment.\"\nWe are deeply honoured to lead the transformation of Reading Prison into a vibrant educational hub,\" expressed [Channing Bi, Ziran Education Foundation]. \"This project is a perfect embodiment of our core values \u2013 to educate, enlighten, and engage. Our planned educational centre will not only preserve the rich history of the site but also serve as a dynamic resource for the local community.\"\nKey features of the redevelopment include:\n\u25cf A museum detailing the fascinating history of Reading Prison.\n\u25cf An exhibition space open to the public, fostering cultural exchange and community involvement.\n\u25cf Innovative educational programs and services, reinforcing our commitment to learning and development.\nThis initiative represents more than a redevelopment; it's a commitment to the community and future generations. Proceeds from the sale of the former prison site will be reinvested in the wider prison estate, aiding in efforts to reduce reoffending and protect the public.\"\nMore recently, in March, The Reading Chronicle reported some equally vague objectives:\n\"Our aspiration is to create robots tailored to our unique requirements, complementing human efforts in select areas of the premises. Furthermore, we're envisioning the establishment of a distinctive art museum, museum, and an art-inspired hotel.\n\"Secondly, collaboration with the University of Reading holds immense significance for us.\n\"We're eager to delve into detailed discussions and mutually beneficial initiatives in conjunction with the esteemed institution.\n\"Thirdly, we hold immense respect for Reading Borough Council and plan to engage them in dialogue, seeking their guidance as we progress with our plans. Our foremost aim is to contribute positively to Reading's cultural landscape and bolster tourism efforts.\"\n\nLittle has changed on their website apart from the addition of a graphic with a slogan and a press release. Also added has been a logo for 'Zero Point Energy', but there is scant additional information about this either. But to be fair, from living in Reading we all know how long the process of planning and building takes and this particular site is subject, we hope, to much more scrutiny than others.\nHowever, it seems that their plans are now taking shape with discussions apparently being held with architecture firms, and both the University and Reading Borough Council being consulted, according to their spokesperson.\nBuilding a hotel and running an art gallery as part of a not for profit education foundation may seem strange, but many sports stadiums fund themselves by integrating hotels, so this may be just pragmatic.\nThe company also moved its registered address to the Reading Jail site at the end of May. The company currently has just two Directors, Jun Zhu and Cheng Bi, who is reported to be the philanthropist behind the foundation. He is a citizen of Vanuatu who has apparently resided in Ireland and the UK over the past decade. He is also a Director of Solcode Group Ltd, a dormant company also registered in Forbury Gardens now controlled by Ziran.\nHowever, concerns about transparency remain. On 13th August Companies House was informed that the long established Flavour Seekers Food Company Limited of 16A Success Building, 245 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong had achieved \"the right to exercise significant.... influence or control over the company\", seemingly replacing Founders Base (Ireland) Ltd, who filed that they no longer have significant control the following day.\nAfter all that has gone on at Reading FC, the people of Reading are probably right to maintain vigilance on this situation.\u00a0\nIn the meantime the prison, which has been used for the Artangel art exhibition and as a location for Killing Eve and other TV series and movies, is now under planning application as a temporary firearms training centre for Thames Valley Police.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\nReading Jail: \"it's not becoming flats\", says new owner - BBC Sounds\n\u00a0", "summary": "New owners reveal that Reading Jail is set to become a hotel and art gallery. Possibly with robots and AI. There was some relief and much scepticism when The Ziran Education Foundation acquired Reading Jail earlier this year, and now more details are emerging of their plans for the important town centre site. Spokesman Eric Sun has revealed to the BBC that there are plans afoot to turn the site...", "date_published": "2024-09-30T13:39:30+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:25.980428+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/4789a147.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/4789a147.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Ongoing Ballad Of Reading Jail", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1117, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nNew owners reveal that Reading Jail is set to become a hotel and art gallery. Possibly with robots and AI.
\nThere was some relief and much scepticism when The Ziran Education Foundation acquired Reading Jail earlier this year, and now more details are emerging of their plans for the important town centre site.
\nSpokesman Eric Sun has revealed to the BBC that there are plans afoot to turn the site into a 360 room 'themed' boutique hotel with an art gallery, although how this helps achieve the goals of an education foundation seems not to have been addressed. (You can hear the full interview at the end of this article).
\nThis seems to be the latest and firmest of a series of evolving plans from the company (it is not a charity, in the UK at least). At the time of purchase, a press release from Ziran claimed:
\n\"Ziran Education Foundation stood out in this tough competition. We not only met the zero-debt condition but also surpassed other distinguished competitors to secure the project.
\nZiran Education Foundation, a charitable non-profit organisation recognized for its innovative collaboration with colleges in developing primary and secondary school curricula and education services, proudly announces its successful bid to redevelop the historic Reading Prison. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our mission of enhancing educational experiences and community engagement.
\nThe Reading Prison project, steeped in cultural and historical significance, presents a unique canvas for ZIRANED Education Foundation to weave its educational expertise into the fabric of the local community. Our vision extends beyond the restoration of this landmark; we aspire to create an educational centre that will serve as a beacon of learning and cultural enrichment.\"
\nWe are deeply honoured to lead the transformation of Reading Prison into a vibrant educational hub,\" expressed [Channing Bi, Ziran Education Foundation]. \"This project is a perfect embodiment of our core values \u2013 to educate, enlighten, and engage. Our planned educational centre will not only preserve the rich history of the site but also serve as a dynamic resource for the local community.\"
\nKey features of the redevelopment include:
\n\u25cf A museum detailing the fascinating history of Reading Prison.
\n\u25cf An exhibition space open to the public, fostering cultural exchange and community involvement.
\n\u25cf Innovative educational programs and services, reinforcing our commitment to learning and development.
\nThis initiative represents more than a redevelopment; it's a commitment to the community and future generations. Proceeds from the sale of the former prison site will be reinvested in the wider prison estate, aiding in efforts to reduce reoffending and protect the public.\"
\nMore recently, in March, The Reading Chronicle reported some equally vague objectives:
\n\"Our aspiration is to create robots tailored to our unique requirements, complementing human efforts in select areas of the premises. Furthermore, we're envisioning the establishment of a distinctive art museum, museum, and an art-inspired hotel.
\n\"Secondly, collaboration with the University of Reading holds immense significance for us.
\n\"We're eager to delve into detailed discussions and mutually beneficial initiatives in conjunction with the esteemed institution.
\n\"Thirdly, we hold immense respect for Reading Borough Council and plan to engage them in dialogue, seeking their guidance as we progress with our plans. Our foremost aim is to contribute positively to Reading's cultural landscape and bolster tourism efforts.\"
\n
Little has changed on their website apart from the addition of a graphic with a slogan and a press release. Also added has been a logo for 'Zero Point Energy', but there is scant additional information about this either. But to be fair, from living in Reading we all know how long the process of planning and building takes and this particular site is subject, we hope, to much more scrutiny than others.
\nHowever, it seems that their plans are now taking shape with discussions apparently being held with architecture firms, and both the University and Reading Borough Council being consulted, according to their spokesperson.
\nBuilding a hotel and running an art gallery as part of a not for profit education foundation may seem strange, but many sports stadiums fund themselves by integrating hotels, so this may be just pragmatic.
\nThe company also moved its registered address to the Reading Jail site at the end of May. The company currently has just two Directors, Jun Zhu and Cheng Bi, who is reported to be the philanthropist behind the foundation. He is a citizen of Vanuatu who has apparently resided in Ireland and the UK over the past decade. He is also a Director of Solcode Group Ltd, a dormant company also registered in Forbury Gardens now controlled by Ziran.
\nHowever, concerns about transparency remain. On 13th August Companies House was informed that the long established Flavour Seekers Food Company Limited of 16A Success Building, 245 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong had achieved \"the right to exercise significant.... influence or control over the company\", seemingly replacing Founders Base (Ireland) Ltd, who filed that they no longer have significant control the following day.
\nAfter all that has gone on at Reading FC, the people of Reading are probably right to maintain vigilance on this situation.\u00a0
\nIn the meantime the prison, which has been used for the Artangel art exhibition and as a location for Killing Eve and other TV series and movies, is now under planning application as a temporary firearms training centre for Thames Valley Police.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nReading Jail: \"it's not becoming flats\", says new owner - BBC Sounds
\n\u00a0
", "description": "New owners reveal that Reading Jail is set to become a hotel and art gallery. Possibly with robots and AI. There was some relief and much scepticism when The Ziran Education Foundation acquired Reading Jail earlier this year, and now more details are emerging of their plans for the important town centre site. Spokesman Eric Sun has revealed to the BBC that there are plans afoot to turn the site...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:25.980428+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT5M", "datePublished": "2024-09-30T13:39:30+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-ongoing-ballad-of-reading-jail/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 5 } }, { "id": "280", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/madras-flavours/", "title": "Eating Out - Madras Flavours", "content_html": "Southern Indian cuisine is a favourite of mine ever since the day, more than forty years ago on my way to college in Kent, I stopped off at Euston and wandered down Drummond Street in search of a good lunch.
Before Brick Lane there was Drummond Street, where a community from Southern India set up home in the 1970s and restaurants such as the inimitable Diwani were born, serving their dhosas and wonderful all you can eat vegetarian Southern Indian buffet (it is still there - and well worth a lunchtime diversion if you are anywhere in London).
Before then I had only known Knor curry and a couple of visits to the highly exotic Indian restaurant that opened in my town in Wales a few months before I set off for uni. When I moved to that borough after graduating it became a regular haunt, along with other dhosa houses in Ladbrook Grove and Southall.
Roll onto the nineties and I found myself running a company with a large base in Chennai, which many still call Madras, where I could taste the wonderful food from this part of the subcontinent at first hand, in homes, at weddings and in restaurants. It surprised me how much meat was eaten, but I still erred towards the dhosas. It has spread as a main meal all over India. now you are as likely to find a dhosa house in Mumbai as you are in Chennai.
For those of you not familiar with this wonderful foodstuff, it is a crispy pancake made from split urad lentils and gram flour with pounded rice, blended to a paste and cooked on a skillet and then filled, usually with a potato and onion filling, then served with coriander, coconut and chilli chutneys and a sambal - a gravy with chopped vegetables. I am salivating as I write. There is also a version with cheese in it.
Like stuffed dumplings, pancakes have versions found in many cuisines. In South America, arepas are made from maize and filled with cheese, meats, or avocado. If you've been to Tutu's in Palmer Park, you will probably have tried injera, a staple in Ethiopia and Eritrea made from teff flour (although it is arguably a flatbread).
Of course, Europe is home to crêpes and galettes whilst the Dutch have poffertjes - small, fluffy pancakes often dusted with powdered sugar and served with butter, and in Eastern Europe, bilins are small, yeast-leavened pancakes made from wheat or buckwheat flour, are traditionally served with caviar or sour cream (or smoked salmon in our house).
Some pancakes veer towards omelette territory - Japanese okonomiyaki are a savoury pancake made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and various toppings like pork, seafood, and mayonnaise. And then, of course, there are the thin wheat pancake wrappings for hoi sin and roasted duck found in Chinese restaurants.
All of this said, I suspect some Indian readers will wince at my description of a dhosa as a pancake, but it otherwise fails comparison.
When I first moved to Reading I quickly discovered Madras Flavours (or Taste Of Madras as it was then called) and regularly popped out for lunch there. They also did a great weekend buffet (which these days is only available at breakfast time, boo hoo).
Then it abruptly closed, and remained closed for several years before miraculously re-opening. My lunchtime treat was restored.
So, on a grey summer day after a business meeting at the bank, I could not prevent myself from dropping into the restaurant, which is sited in an interesting part of town where Jackson's Corner is gradually re-opened, there are various bus stops where the buses now flow a bit more smoothly after recent road works, the library is closing down and the Magistrates court is moving into the old EY building. Madras Flavour has almost become a staple amongst all the changes. And thankfully the restaurant has large windows, perfect for people watching when you're dining alone.
Rather predictably, I had the dhosa masala, a giant roll of crunchy loveliness, along with a mango lassi.
Masala dhosa is one of those dishes that are always good. There are other dhosa restaurants in Reading - Crispy Dosa opposite the Penta at the town end of Oxford Road and Ved up at the top of Basingstoke Road - I noticed that Papadam's down the road is now also advertising dhosas. But the ones at Madras Flavours remain my favourite, if only in the way some people prefer Pepsi to Coke or profess a preference for a fish and chip shop in a seaside resort.
Dhosas come stuffed with a cumin and tumeric potato mix and accompanied by sambar, a sharp gravy-like veg curry made with asaforitda and tamarind, it is also accompanied by tomato, coconut and chilli/coriander chutneys or sambal (yes, sambal and sambar). It's a complete meal for under a tenner. And it is large - I have never finished a whole meal and they even used to do a truly giant dhosa, which I once had delivered. It arrived out of the back of an estate - if they had tried to deliver it by courier half the meal would have been on lamp posts.
The trouble is that it's not a meal that survives delivery. The potato quickly makes the pancake soggy and it's fiddly serving lots of little dishes from plastic pots. Better to pop down to King's Road and watch the world go by.
The lassi is thick and sweet and passes for a dessert in my book. Not the best lassi ever, a bit over sweet, but thick and sharp and creamy nevertheless.
For around twelve quid, a great meal before heading out into the wind and the scattered rain, longing for the warm sun and gentle breeze off the Indian Ocean. Food does that to you, doesn't it. Close your eyes and the flavours and textures take you back places. From the backstreets of Camden, to a beach house outside Pondicherry to the main street through Reading. There are even days when I hanker after Knor Curry, the pot noodle of my youth...
Southern Indian cuisine is a favourite of mine ever since the day, more than forty years ago on my way to college in Kent, I stopped off at Euston and wandered down Drummond Street in search of a good lunch.
Before Brick Lane there was Drummond Street, where a community from Southern India set up home in the 1970s and restaurants such as the inimitable Diwani were born, serving their dhosas and wonderful all you can eat vegetarian Southern Indian buffet (it is still there - and well worth a lunchtime diversion if you are anywhere in London).
Before then I had only known Knor curry and a couple of visits to the highly exotic Indian restaurant that opened in my town in Wales a few months before I set off for uni. When I moved to that borough after graduating it became a regular haunt, along with other dhosa houses in Ladbrook Grove and Southall.
Roll onto the nineties and I found myself running a company with a large base in Chennai, which many still call Madras, where I could taste the wonderful food from this part of the subcontinent at first hand, in homes, at weddings and in restaurants. It surprised me how much meat was eaten, but I still erred towards the dhosas. It has spread as a main meal all over India. now you are as likely to find a dhosa house in Mumbai as you are in Chennai.
For those of you not familiar with this wonderful foodstuff, it is a crispy pancake made from split urad lentils and gram flour with pounded rice, blended to a paste and cooked on a skillet and then filled, usually with a potato and onion filling, then served with coriander, coconut and chilli chutneys and a sambal - a gravy with chopped vegetables. I am salivating as I write. There is also a version with cheese in it.
Like stuffed dumplings, pancakes have versions found in many cuisines. In South America, arepas are made from maize and filled with cheese, meats, or avocado. If you've been to Tutu's in Palmer Park, you will probably have tried injera, a staple in Ethiopia and Eritrea made from teff flour (although it is arguably a flatbread).
Of course, Europe is home to crêpes and galettes whilst the Dutch have poffertjes - small, fluffy pancakes often dusted with powdered sugar and served with butter, and in Eastern Europe, bilins are small, yeast-leavened pancakes made from wheat or buckwheat flour, are traditionally served with caviar or sour cream (or smoked salmon in our house).
Some pancakes veer towards omelette territory - Japanese okonomiyaki are a savoury pancake made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and various toppings like pork, seafood, and mayonnaise. And then, of course, there are the thin wheat pancake wrappings for hoi sin and roasted duck found in Chinese restaurants.
All of this said, I suspect some Indian readers will wince at my description of a dhosa as a pancake, but it otherwise fails comparison.
When I first moved to Reading I quickly discovered Madras Flavours (or Taste Of Madras as it was then called) and regularly popped out for lunch there. They also did a great weekend buffet (which these days is only available at breakfast time, boo hoo).
Then it abruptly closed, and remained closed for several years before miraculously re-opening. My lunchtime treat was restored.
So, on a grey summer day after a business meeting at the bank, I could not prevent myself from dropping into the restaurant, which is sited in an interesting part of town where Jackson's Corner is gradually re-opened, there are various bus stops where the buses now flow a bit more smoothly after recent road works, the library is closing down and the Magistrates court is moving into the old EY building. Madras Flavour has almost become a staple amongst all the changes. And thankfully the restaurant has large windows, perfect for people watching when you're dining alone.
Rather predictably, I had the dhosa masala, a giant roll of crunchy loveliness, along with a mango lassi.
Masala dhosa is one of those dishes that are always good. There are other dhosa restaurants in Reading - Crispy Dosa opposite the Penta at the town end of Oxford Road and Ved up at the top of Basingstoke Road - I noticed that Papadam's down the road is now also advertising dhosas. But the ones at Madras Flavours remain my favourite, if only in the way some people prefer Pepsi to Coke or profess a preference for a fish and chip shop in a seaside resort.
Dhosas come stuffed with a cumin and tumeric potato mix and accompanied by sambar, a sharp gravy-like veg curry made with asaforitda and tamarind, it is also accompanied by tomato, coconut and chilli/coriander chutneys or sambal (yes, sambal and sambar). It's a complete meal for under a tenner. And it is large - I have never finished a whole meal and they even used to do a truly giant dhosa, which I once had delivered. It arrived out of the back of an estate - if they had tried to deliver it by courier half the meal would have been on lamp posts.
The trouble is that it's not a meal that survives delivery. The potato quickly makes the pancake soggy and it's fiddly serving lots of little dishes from plastic pots. Better to pop down to King's Road and watch the world go by.
The lassi is thick and sweet and passes for a dessert in my book. Not the best lassi ever, a bit over sweet, but thick and sharp and creamy nevertheless.
For around twelve quid, a great meal before heading out into the wind and the scattered rain, longing for the warm sun and gentle breeze off the Indian Ocean. Food does that to you, doesn't it. Close your eyes and the flavours and textures take you back places. From the backstreets of Camden, to a beach house outside Pondicherry to the main street through Reading. There are even days when I hanker after Knor Curry, the pot noodle of my youth...
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![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/d689742b.jpg\")
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Sir Sam Mendes, the acclaimed British film and stage director, was born on August 1, 1965, in Battle Hospital (where, incidentally, his ex-wife Kate Winslet was also born).
Sam Mendes' father, Jameson Peter Mendes, was a university professor at the University of Reading and they lived at 85 Upper Redlands Road.
However, his association with the town was brief. At the age of three his parents divorced and he moved with his mum, a children's novelist, to North London. Mendes attended Magdalen College School and later Peterhouse at the University of Cambridge, where he honed his directing skills, notably with the Marlowe Society, a prestigious theatrical club. He was also a gifted cricketer (his father's family originated in Trinidad) and once played at Lord's.
Mendes' career began in the theatre. After graduating, he joined the Chichester Festival Theatre and later became the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse in London. His innovative approach to classic and contemporary plays earned him critical acclaim, particularly his revival of Cabaret and the original production of The Blue Room starring Nicole Kidman.
Mendes transitioned to film with extraordinary success. His directorial debut, American Beauty (1999), was both a critical and commercial triumph, earning five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Mendes. This film, noted for its darkly satirical take on suburban life, showcased Mendes' ability to combine visual artistry with deep psychological insight. He continued to direct notable films such as Road to Perdition (2002), Jarhead (2005), and Revolutionary Road (2008), further establishing his reputation in Hollywood.
His foray into the James Bond franchise with Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015) revitalised the series, particularly Skyfall, which became the highest-grossing Bond film at the time and was lauded for its character depth and visual style. Mendes' work on these films was pivotal in balancing action with narrative complexity, earning \"Skyfall\" several awards and nominations.
In 2019, Mendes directed 1917, an ambitious World War I epic filmed to appear as one continuous shot. This technical feat, combined with its poignant storytelling, garnered numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe for Best Director and Best Motion Picture – Drama. The film also won three Academy Awards and was praised for its immersive and innovative approach to the war genre.
Throughout his career, Mendes has received numerous awards and honours, reflecting his versatility and impact on both stage and screen. His ability to traverse different genres and media is a testament to his directorial prowess.
He was married to fellow Readingensian actress Kate Winslet from 2003 to 2010, with whom he has a son. Their relationship and subsequent separation and divorce attracted a lot of media attention. Mendes later married classical musician Alison Balsom in 2017, and they have a daughter.
His most recent work is the film Empire of Light (2022), is a poignant drama set in an English coastal town during the 1980s.
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\r\n
Sir Sam Mendes, the acclaimed British film and stage director, was born on August 1, 1965, in Battle Hospital (where, incidentally, his ex-wife Kate Winslet was also born).
Sam Mendes' father, Jameson Peter Mendes, was a university professor at the University of Reading and they lived at 85 Upper Redlands Road.
However, his association with the town was brief. At the age of three his parents divorced and he moved with his mum, a children's novelist, to North London. Mendes attended Magdalen College School and later Peterhouse at the University of Cambridge, where he honed his directing skills, notably with the Marlowe Society, a prestigious theatrical club. He was also a gifted cricketer (his father's family originated in Trinidad) and once played at Lord's.
Mendes' career began in the theatre. After graduating, he joined the Chichester Festival Theatre and later became the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse in London. His innovative approach to classic and contemporary plays earned him critical acclaim, particularly his revival of Cabaret and the original production of The Blue Room starring Nicole Kidman.
Mendes transitioned to film with extraordinary success. His directorial debut, American Beauty (1999), was both a critical and commercial triumph, earning five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Mendes. This film, noted for its darkly satirical take on suburban life, showcased Mendes' ability to combine visual artistry with deep psychological insight. He continued to direct notable films such as Road to Perdition (2002), Jarhead (2005), and Revolutionary Road (2008), further establishing his reputation in Hollywood.
His foray into the James Bond franchise with Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015) revitalised the series, particularly Skyfall, which became the highest-grossing Bond film at the time and was lauded for its character depth and visual style. Mendes' work on these films was pivotal in balancing action with narrative complexity, earning \"Skyfall\" several awards and nominations.
In 2019, Mendes directed 1917, an ambitious World War I epic filmed to appear as one continuous shot. This technical feat, combined with its poignant storytelling, garnered numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe for Best Director and Best Motion Picture – Drama. The film also won three Academy Awards and was praised for its immersive and innovative approach to the war genre.
Throughout his career, Mendes has received numerous awards and honours, reflecting his versatility and impact on both stage and screen. His ability to traverse different genres and media is a testament to his directorial prowess.
He was married to fellow Readingensian actress Kate Winslet from 2003 to 2010, with whom he has a son. Their relationship and subsequent separation and divorce attracted a lot of media attention. Mendes later married classical musician Alison Balsom in 2017, and they have a daughter.
His most recent work is the film Empire of Light (2022), is a poignant drama set in an English coastal town during the 1980s.
\n
We sent Hadley and Tyler in search of the best fried chicken in our town, and the results were surprising...
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\nWe sent Hadley and Tyler in search of the best fried chicken in our town, and the results were surprising...\n\u00a0", "summary": "We sent Hadley and Tyler in search of the best fried chicken in our town, and the results were surprising...", "date_published": "2024-09-01T12:21:37+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:24.727620+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Reading's Best Fried Chicken (1)", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 46, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
We sent Hadley and Tyler in search of the best fried chicken in our town, and the results were surprising...
\n\u00a0
", "description": "We sent Hadley and Tyler in search of the best fried chicken in our town, and the results were surprising...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:24.727620+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT1M", "datePublished": "2024-09-01T12:21:37+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/readings-best-fried-chicken-1/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 1 } }, { "id": "277", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/our-melting-pot/", "title": "Our Melting Pot", "content_html": "\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/16bd93f6.png\")
\u00a0
\nThis summer has seen the re-appearance of ethnic issues across parts of the UK, but Reading remained calm, perhaps due to its long tradition of immigration, from the influx of Irish labourers in the 19th century to the arrival of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, and the diverse waves of newcomers from across the globe since, with a significant number of Hong Kong and other Chinese people being the most recent incomers.
\n\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/9f79ccb7.png\")
Source: 2021 census, ONS
\u00a0
\nThe story of immigration in Reading goes back well over a century, making up our current diverse community that is nearly half non-British white by now.
\nOf course, from the immigrants who first crossed the land bridge to the British Isles through the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans if any local resident were to take a DNA test they might find how diverse the population was and is.
\nThe more recent story of immigration starts close to home, with the significant Irish presence that began in the early 19th century, starting with the 'navies' or navigators, who were recruited to dig the canals criss crossing England during the early 19th century. Like many other parts of England and beyond, Reading experienced a surge in its Irish population during the Great Famine of the 1840s. The town\u2019s industrial growth\u2014fuelled by its location on the railway line between London and the West Country\u2014created a demand for labour that Irish immigrants filled - a story that has often been repeated. The Irish immigrants were instrumental in building much of the town's infrastructure, including buildings, roads, railways, and canals. Many settled in areas with affordable housing, such as Katesgrove and Newtown.\u00a0
By the late 19th century, Irish Catholics had established the Pugin designed St James\u2019 church near Forbury Gardens, St Joseph\u2019s school on Upper Redlands Road, the Hibernian Society and the Irish Centre in Chatham St and Gaelic sports sides, all of which still exist today - you can see the Gaelic football posts in King's Meadows - although the current Irish population is more likely to work in tech or at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The end of World War II marked the beginning of another significant chapter in Reading\u2019s immigration history. The British government, grappling with labour shortages, invited citizens from the Commonwealth to help rebuild the nation. Among the first to arrive were Barbadians (or Bajans), part of the wider Windrush Generation named after the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought hundreds of Caribbean migrants to the UK in 1948.
\nFor many Barbadians, Reading was an attractive destination due to its thriving industries \u2013 many worked on the buses in the town and, in a trend that persists to this day, took up menial jobs.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/8462c593.jpeg\")
Randolph Bancroft from Barbados is one of many immigrants who have opened successful businesses in Reading
The Barbadian community quickly established itself, with families settling in areas like Newtown and Oxford Road. The influence of these immigrants is still evident today, particularly in the town\u2019s cultural life. The annual Reading Carnival, for example, draws heavily on Caribbean traditions, celebrating the music, dance, and food of the region. The town also boasts a number of Caribbean restaurants, with Dolphin\u2019s due to open in St Mary\u2019s Butts at the end of the year. The community even has its own publication RCE News.
Over time, the Barbadian community expanded to include other Caribbean immigrants, especially from Jamaica, and these groups played a crucial role in diversifying Reading\u2019s cultural and ethnic landscape.\u00a0
\u00a0
The late 20th and early 21st centuries have brought new waves of immigrants to Reading, reflecting broader patterns of globalisation and economic change. Following the expansion of the European Union in 2004, a significant number of Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles, settled in Reading. There are Polish shops and a pub, as well as a Ukrainian Centre. Drawn by employment opportunities in construction, retail, and the service industry, these immigrants added yet another layer to the town\u2019s multicultural identity.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/86611a41.jpg\")
Reading's Ukrainian community taking part in Waterfest
\u00a0
\nReading has also clearly seen an increase in immigrants from South Asia, particularly from Nepal, India and Pakistan, as well as from Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. These groups have enriched the town\u2019s cultural offerings, introducing new cuisines, festivals, and traditions. The annual Diwali celebrations, for instance, have become a fixture in the town\u2019s calendar, reflecting the growing influence of the South Asian community.
\nMost public bodies publish their documentation at least partially in diverse languages to cater for those whose first language is not English. But the reality is that the vast majority of residents quickly become fluent through work or education. However, the language profile does belie some of Reading's less known communities, such as the Portuguese speaking Brazilian people living and working in the area.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/7f4e25f7.png\")
Source: 2021 census, ONS
\u00a0
\nA notable community in Reading is the Nepalese population, many of whom are ex-servicemen and their families. The Gurkhas have a long tradition of serving in the British Army going back over two centuries. The headquarters of the Brigade of Gurkhas is at nearby Sandhurst and the Brigade moved its base to Aldershot in 1997, when Hong Kong, its previous home, was handed back to China. In 2009, it was made law that all those Gurkhas who had served for four years or more in the British Army before 1997 had the right to settle in Britain, following a high profile campaign led by the actress Joanna Lumley. Many chose to settle in Reading and have opened restaurants and shops and made the delicious momo dumplings practically a local dish.
\nSome of the immigration has been based on the establishment of international businesses in the town. Vodafone saw new German residents and Huawei Chinese. The many tech companies saw influxes from North America and from India. But the reality is that for many, Reading is a place they live whilst they study and work and often move on. If anything defines Reading, it is the mobility of labour.
\n(There is a marked difference between the town\u2019s Indian and other South Asian populations in that India does not allow for full dual nationality, whereas countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh do, resulting in more permanent and expanding populations from other countries in the subcontinent.)
\nA study, again from the ONS, of where Reading residents were born makes for fascinating browsing:
England \u00a0 \u00a0111815
India \u00a0 \u00a07762
Poland \u00a0 \u00a04948
Other Southern Asia (inc Nepal and Sri Lanka) \u00a0 \u00a04224
Pakistan \u00a0 \u00a03546
Romania \u00a0 \u00a03231
Other EU countries \u00a0 \u00a02786
Other Europe on EU \u00a0 \u00a02349
Wales \u00a0 \u00a01821
Scotland \u00a0 \u00a01659
Other EU \u00a0 \u00a01574
Italy \u00a0 \u00a01466
Ghana \u00a0 \u00a01439
All South American countries \u00a0 \u00a01365
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) \u00a0 \u00a01330
Ireland \u00a0 \u00a01313
China \u00a0 \u00a01269
Other South and Eastern Africa \u00a0 \u00a01212
Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) \u00a0 \u00a01105
Spain (including Canary Islands) \u00a0 \u00a01099
South Africa \u00a0 \u00a01067
Other Caribbean \u00a0 \u00a01041
Nigeria \u00a0 \u00a0954
Other Middle East \u00a0 \u00a0954
Other Central and Western Africa \u00a0 \u00a0935
North Africa \u00a0 \u00a0932
Germany \u00a0 \u00a0897
Philippines \u00a0 \u00a0759
France \u00a0 \u00a0758
Zimbabwe \u00a0 \u00a0758
United States \u00a0 \u00a0678
Other South-East Asia \u00a0 \u00a0649
Kenya \u00a0 \u00a0613
Turkey \u00a0 \u00a0606
Northern Ireland \u00a0 \u00a0587
Bangladesh \u00a0 \u00a0521
Sri Lanka \u00a0 \u00a0497
Lithuania \u00a0 \u00a0460
Jamaica \u00a0 \u00a0426
Australia \u00a0 \u00a0365
Malaysia \u00a0 \u00a0329
Iran \u00a0 \u00a0328
Other Eastern Asia \u00a0 \u00a0286
Canada \u00a0 \u00a0268
Afghanistan \u00a0 \u00a0246
New Zealand \u00a0 \u00a0198
Somalia \u00a0 \u00a0159
Singapore \u00a0 \u00a0143
Central Asia \u00a0 \u00a0126
Central American countries \u00a0 \u00a0113
Iraq \u00a0 \u00a0112
Croatia \u00a0 \u00a081
Other Oceania and Antarctica \u00a0 \u00a026
Other Africa \u00a0 \u00a012
United Kingdom not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a011
Other North America \u00a0 \u00a011
Great Britain not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a01
Other Australasia \u00a0 \u00a01
The rise of misinformation and the far right using online platforms such as X/Twitter have clearly increased tensions and there has sadly been a marked rise, for example, in suspensions for racial abuse within local schools, but perhaps because of its historical diversity Reading has not suffered as much as other conurbations in the UK from ethnic strife. Of course, there remain worrying incidents of racism and hate crimes, but overall the story is one of harmonious integration and a town where people from all kinds of backgrounds and beliefs respect each other and even enjoy the diversity of cultures that enrich our overall community. Long may it continue.
\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nThis summer has seen the re-appearance of ethnic issues across parts of the UK, but Reading remained calm, perhaps due to its long tradition of immigration, from the influx of Irish labourers in the 19th century to the arrival of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, and the diverse waves of newcomers from across the globe since, with a significant number of Hong Kong and other Chinese people being the most recent incomers.\n\u00a0\nSource: 2021 census, ONS\n\u00a0\nThe story of immigration in Reading goes back well over a century, making up our current diverse community that is nearly half non-British white by now. \nOf course, from the immigrants who first crossed the land bridge to the British Isles through the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans if any local resident were to take a DNA test they might find how diverse the population was and is.\nThe more recent story of immigration starts close to home, with the significant Irish presence that began in the early 19th century, starting with the 'navies' or navigators, who were recruited to dig the canals criss crossing England during the early 19th century. Like many other parts of England and beyond, Reading experienced a surge in its Irish population during the Great Famine of the 1840s. The town\u2019s industrial growth\u2014fuelled by its location on the railway line between London and the West Country\u2014created a demand for labour that Irish immigrants filled - a story that has often been repeated. The Irish immigrants were instrumental in building much of the town's infrastructure, including buildings, roads, railways, and canals. Many settled in areas with affordable housing, such as Katesgrove and Newtown.\u00a0By the late 19th century, Irish Catholics had established the Pugin designed St James\u2019 church near Forbury Gardens, St Joseph\u2019s school on Upper Redlands Road, the Hibernian Society and the Irish Centre in Chatham St and Gaelic sports sides, all of which still exist today - you can see the Gaelic football posts in King's Meadows - although the current Irish population is more likely to work in tech or at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.\nThe end of World War II marked the beginning of another significant chapter in Reading\u2019s immigration history. The British government, grappling with labour shortages, invited citizens from the Commonwealth to help rebuild the nation. Among the first to arrive were Barbadians (or Bajans), part of the wider Windrush Generation named after the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought hundreds of Caribbean migrants to the UK in 1948.\nFor many Barbadians, Reading was an attractive destination due to its thriving industries \u2013 many worked on the buses in the town and, in a trend that persists to this day, took up menial jobs.\nRandolph Bancroft from Barbados is one of many immigrants who have opened successful businesses in Reading\nThe Barbadian community quickly established itself, with families settling in areas like Newtown and Oxford Road. The influence of these immigrants is still evident today, particularly in the town\u2019s cultural life. The annual Reading Carnival, for example, draws heavily on Caribbean traditions, celebrating the music, dance, and food of the region. The town also boasts a number of Caribbean restaurants, with Dolphin\u2019s due to open in St Mary\u2019s Butts at the end of the year. The community even has its own publication RCE News.\nOver time, the Barbadian community expanded to include other Caribbean immigrants, especially from Jamaica, and these groups played a crucial role in diversifying Reading\u2019s cultural and ethnic landscape.\u00a0\u00a0The late 20th and early 21st centuries have brought new waves of immigrants to Reading, reflecting broader patterns of globalisation and economic change. Following the expansion of the European Union in 2004, a significant number of Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles, settled in Reading. There are Polish shops and a pub, as well as a Ukrainian Centre. Drawn by employment opportunities in construction, retail, and the service industry, these immigrants added yet another layer to the town\u2019s multicultural identity.\nReading's Ukrainian community taking part in Waterfest\n\u00a0\nReading has also clearly seen an increase in immigrants from South Asia, particularly from Nepal, India and Pakistan, as well as from Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. These groups have enriched the town\u2019s cultural offerings, introducing new cuisines, festivals, and traditions. The annual Diwali celebrations, for instance, have become a fixture in the town\u2019s calendar, reflecting the growing influence of the South Asian community.\nMost public bodies publish their documentation at least partially in diverse languages to cater for those whose first language is not English. But the reality is that the vast majority of residents quickly become fluent through work or education. However, the language profile does belie some of Reading's less known communities, such as the Portuguese speaking Brazilian people living and working in the area.\nSource: 2021 census, ONS\n\u00a0\nA notable community in Reading is the Nepalese population, many of whom are ex-servicemen and their families. The Gurkhas have a long tradition of serving in the British Army going back over two centuries. The headquarters of the Brigade of Gurkhas is at nearby Sandhurst and the Brigade moved its base to Aldershot in 1997, when Hong Kong, its previous home, was handed back to China. In 2009, it was made law that all those Gurkhas who had served for four years or more in the British Army before 1997 had the right to settle in Britain, following a high profile campaign led by the actress Joanna Lumley. Many chose to settle in Reading and have opened restaurants and shops and made the delicious momo dumplings practically a local dish.\nSome of the immigration has been based on the establishment of international businesses in the town. Vodafone saw new German residents and Huawei Chinese. The many tech companies saw influxes from North America and from India. But the reality is that for many, Reading is a place they live whilst they study and work and often move on. If anything defines Reading, it is the mobility of labour.\n(There is a marked difference between the town\u2019s Indian and other South Asian populations in that India does not allow for full dual nationality, whereas countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh do, resulting in more permanent and expanding populations from other countries in the subcontinent.)\nA study, again from the ONS, of where Reading residents were born makes for fascinating browsing:England \u00a0 \u00a0111815India \u00a0 \u00a07762Poland \u00a0 \u00a04948Other Southern Asia (inc Nepal and Sri Lanka) \u00a0 \u00a04224Pakistan \u00a0 \u00a03546Romania \u00a0 \u00a03231Other EU countries \u00a0 \u00a02786Other Europe on EU \u00a0 \u00a02349Wales \u00a0 \u00a01821Scotland \u00a0 \u00a01659Other EU \u00a0 \u00a01574Italy \u00a0 \u00a01466Ghana \u00a0 \u00a01439All South American countries \u00a0 \u00a01365Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) \u00a0 \u00a01330Ireland \u00a0 \u00a01313China \u00a0 \u00a01269Other South and Eastern Africa \u00a0 \u00a01212Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) \u00a0 \u00a01105Spain (including Canary Islands) \u00a0 \u00a01099South Africa \u00a0 \u00a01067Other Caribbean \u00a0 \u00a01041Nigeria \u00a0 \u00a0954Other Middle East \u00a0 \u00a0954Other Central and Western Africa \u00a0 \u00a0935North Africa \u00a0 \u00a0932Germany \u00a0 \u00a0897Philippines \u00a0 \u00a0759France \u00a0 \u00a0758Zimbabwe \u00a0 \u00a0758United States \u00a0 \u00a0678Other South-East Asia \u00a0 \u00a0649Kenya \u00a0 \u00a0613Turkey \u00a0 \u00a0606Northern Ireland \u00a0 \u00a0587Bangladesh \u00a0 \u00a0521Sri Lanka \u00a0 \u00a0497Lithuania \u00a0 \u00a0460Jamaica \u00a0 \u00a0426Australia \u00a0 \u00a0365Malaysia \u00a0 \u00a0329Iran \u00a0 \u00a0328Other Eastern Asia \u00a0 \u00a0286Canada \u00a0 \u00a0268Afghanistan \u00a0 \u00a0246New Zealand \u00a0 \u00a0198Somalia \u00a0 \u00a0159Singapore \u00a0 \u00a0143Central Asia \u00a0 \u00a0126Central American countries \u00a0 \u00a0113Iraq \u00a0 \u00a0112Croatia \u00a0 \u00a081Other Oceania and Antarctica \u00a0 \u00a026Other Africa \u00a0 \u00a012United Kingdom not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a011Other North America \u00a0 \u00a011Great Britain not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a01Other Australasia \u00a0 \u00a01\nThe rise of misinformation and the far right using online platforms such as X/Twitter have clearly increased tensions and there has sadly been a marked rise, for example, in suspensions for racial abuse within local schools, but perhaps because of its historical diversity Reading has not suffered as much as other conurbations in the UK from ethnic strife. Of course, there remain worrying incidents of racism and hate crimes, but overall the story is one of harmonious integration and a town where people from all kinds of backgrounds and beliefs respect each other and even enjoy the diversity of cultures that enrich our overall community. Long may it continue.\n\u00a0", "summary": "This summer has seen the re-appearance of ethnic issues across parts of the UK, but Reading remained calm, perhaps due to its long tradition of immigration, from the influx of Irish labourers in the 19th century to the arrival of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, and the diverse waves of newcomers from across the globe since, with a significant number of Hong Kong and other Chinese peopl...", "date_published": "2024-08-27T08:06:25+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:24.675486+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/d0f425ed.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/d0f425ed.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "Our Melting Pot", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1891, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nThis summer has seen the re-appearance of ethnic issues across parts of the UK, but Reading remained calm, perhaps due to its long tradition of immigration, from the influx of Irish labourers in the 19th century to the arrival of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, and the diverse waves of newcomers from across the globe since, with a significant number of Hong Kong and other Chinese people being the most recent incomers.
\n\u00a0
\nSource: 2021 census, ONS
\u00a0
\nThe story of immigration in Reading goes back well over a century, making up our current diverse community that is nearly half non-British white by now.
\nOf course, from the immigrants who first crossed the land bridge to the British Isles through the Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans if any local resident were to take a DNA test they might find how diverse the population was and is.
\nThe more recent story of immigration starts close to home, with the significant Irish presence that began in the early 19th century, starting with the 'navies' or navigators, who were recruited to dig the canals criss crossing England during the early 19th century. Like many other parts of England and beyond, Reading experienced a surge in its Irish population during the Great Famine of the 1840s. The town\u2019s industrial growth\u2014fuelled by its location on the railway line between London and the West Country\u2014created a demand for labour that Irish immigrants filled - a story that has often been repeated. The Irish immigrants were instrumental in building much of the town's infrastructure, including buildings, roads, railways, and canals. Many settled in areas with affordable housing, such as Katesgrove and Newtown.\u00a0
By the late 19th century, Irish Catholics had established the Pugin designed St James\u2019 church near Forbury Gardens, St Joseph\u2019s school on Upper Redlands Road, the Hibernian Society and the Irish Centre in Chatham St and Gaelic sports sides, all of which still exist today - you can see the Gaelic football posts in King's Meadows - although the current Irish population is more likely to work in tech or at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The end of World War II marked the beginning of another significant chapter in Reading\u2019s immigration history. The British government, grappling with labour shortages, invited citizens from the Commonwealth to help rebuild the nation. Among the first to arrive were Barbadians (or Bajans), part of the wider Windrush Generation named after the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought hundreds of Caribbean migrants to the UK in 1948.
\nFor many Barbadians, Reading was an attractive destination due to its thriving industries \u2013 many worked on the buses in the town and, in a trend that persists to this day, took up menial jobs.
\nRandolph Bancroft from Barbados is one of many immigrants who have opened successful businesses in Reading
The Barbadian community quickly established itself, with families settling in areas like Newtown and Oxford Road. The influence of these immigrants is still evident today, particularly in the town\u2019s cultural life. The annual Reading Carnival, for example, draws heavily on Caribbean traditions, celebrating the music, dance, and food of the region. The town also boasts a number of Caribbean restaurants, with Dolphin\u2019s due to open in St Mary\u2019s Butts at the end of the year. The community even has its own publication RCE News.
Over time, the Barbadian community expanded to include other Caribbean immigrants, especially from Jamaica, and these groups played a crucial role in diversifying Reading\u2019s cultural and ethnic landscape.\u00a0
\u00a0
The late 20th and early 21st centuries have brought new waves of immigrants to Reading, reflecting broader patterns of globalisation and economic change. Following the expansion of the European Union in 2004, a significant number of Eastern Europeans, particularly Poles, settled in Reading. There are Polish shops and a pub, as well as a Ukrainian Centre. Drawn by employment opportunities in construction, retail, and the service industry, these immigrants added yet another layer to the town\u2019s multicultural identity.
Reading's Ukrainian community taking part in Waterfest
\u00a0
\nReading has also clearly seen an increase in immigrants from South Asia, particularly from Nepal, India and Pakistan, as well as from Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. These groups have enriched the town\u2019s cultural offerings, introducing new cuisines, festivals, and traditions. The annual Diwali celebrations, for instance, have become a fixture in the town\u2019s calendar, reflecting the growing influence of the South Asian community.
\nMost public bodies publish their documentation at least partially in diverse languages to cater for those whose first language is not English. But the reality is that the vast majority of residents quickly become fluent through work or education. However, the language profile does belie some of Reading's less known communities, such as the Portuguese speaking Brazilian people living and working in the area.
\nSource: 2021 census, ONS
\u00a0
\nA notable community in Reading is the Nepalese population, many of whom are ex-servicemen and their families. The Gurkhas have a long tradition of serving in the British Army going back over two centuries. The headquarters of the Brigade of Gurkhas is at nearby Sandhurst and the Brigade moved its base to Aldershot in 1997, when Hong Kong, its previous home, was handed back to China. In 2009, it was made law that all those Gurkhas who had served for four years or more in the British Army before 1997 had the right to settle in Britain, following a high profile campaign led by the actress Joanna Lumley. Many chose to settle in Reading and have opened restaurants and shops and made the delicious momo dumplings practically a local dish.
\nSome of the immigration has been based on the establishment of international businesses in the town. Vodafone saw new German residents and Huawei Chinese. The many tech companies saw influxes from North America and from India. But the reality is that for many, Reading is a place they live whilst they study and work and often move on. If anything defines Reading, it is the mobility of labour.
\n(There is a marked difference between the town\u2019s Indian and other South Asian populations in that India does not allow for full dual nationality, whereas countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh do, resulting in more permanent and expanding populations from other countries in the subcontinent.)
\nA study, again from the ONS, of where Reading residents were born makes for fascinating browsing:
England \u00a0 \u00a0111815
India \u00a0 \u00a07762
Poland \u00a0 \u00a04948
Other Southern Asia (inc Nepal and Sri Lanka) \u00a0 \u00a04224
Pakistan \u00a0 \u00a03546
Romania \u00a0 \u00a03231
Other EU countries \u00a0 \u00a02786
Other Europe on EU \u00a0 \u00a02349
Wales \u00a0 \u00a01821
Scotland \u00a0 \u00a01659
Other EU \u00a0 \u00a01574
Italy \u00a0 \u00a01466
Ghana \u00a0 \u00a01439
All South American countries \u00a0 \u00a01365
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) \u00a0 \u00a01330
Ireland \u00a0 \u00a01313
China \u00a0 \u00a01269
Other South and Eastern Africa \u00a0 \u00a01212
Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) \u00a0 \u00a01105
Spain (including Canary Islands) \u00a0 \u00a01099
South Africa \u00a0 \u00a01067
Other Caribbean \u00a0 \u00a01041
Nigeria \u00a0 \u00a0954
Other Middle East \u00a0 \u00a0954
Other Central and Western Africa \u00a0 \u00a0935
North Africa \u00a0 \u00a0932
Germany \u00a0 \u00a0897
Philippines \u00a0 \u00a0759
France \u00a0 \u00a0758
Zimbabwe \u00a0 \u00a0758
United States \u00a0 \u00a0678
Other South-East Asia \u00a0 \u00a0649
Kenya \u00a0 \u00a0613
Turkey \u00a0 \u00a0606
Northern Ireland \u00a0 \u00a0587
Bangladesh \u00a0 \u00a0521
Sri Lanka \u00a0 \u00a0497
Lithuania \u00a0 \u00a0460
Jamaica \u00a0 \u00a0426
Australia \u00a0 \u00a0365
Malaysia \u00a0 \u00a0329
Iran \u00a0 \u00a0328
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Canada \u00a0 \u00a0268
Afghanistan \u00a0 \u00a0246
New Zealand \u00a0 \u00a0198
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Central Asia \u00a0 \u00a0126
Central American countries \u00a0 \u00a0113
Iraq \u00a0 \u00a0112
Croatia \u00a0 \u00a081
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Other Africa \u00a0 \u00a012
United Kingdom not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a011
Other North America \u00a0 \u00a011
Great Britain not otherwise specified \u00a0 \u00a01
Other Australasia \u00a0 \u00a01
The rise of misinformation and the far right using online platforms such as X/Twitter have clearly increased tensions and there has sadly been a marked rise, for example, in suspensions for racial abuse within local schools, but perhaps because of its historical diversity Reading has not suffered as much as other conurbations in the UK from ethnic strife. Of course, there remain worrying incidents of racism and hate crimes, but overall the story is one of harmonious integration and a town where people from all kinds of backgrounds and beliefs respect each other and even enjoy the diversity of cultures that enrich our overall community. Long may it continue.
\u00a0
", "description": "This summer has seen the re-appearance of ethnic issues across parts of the UK, but Reading remained calm, perhaps due to its long tradition of immigration, from the influx of Irish labourers in the 19th century to the arrival of Caribbean immigrants after World War II, and the diverse waves of newcomers from across the globe since, with a significant number of Hong Kong and other Chinese peopl...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:24.675486+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT7M", "datePublished": "2024-08-27T08:06:25+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/our-melting-pot/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 7 } }, { "id": "276", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-oldest-festival/", "title": "The Oldest Festival", "content_html": "\n
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\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/f4b6266e.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nReading Festival, set along the banks of the River Thames in Little John's Farm over every August Bank Holiday, has become an institution that has not just survived the changing tides of music but has defined them. Spanning over six decades, Reading is the oldest popular music festival still in existence. Its history tracks the development of rock music over the past half century. But has it seen its best days?
\nThis year the event did not sell out (there were both day and weekend tickets still available on the official website on the Thursday before this year's event) and there has been extensive criticism of everything from the rather lacklustre line up to the BBC TV coverage, and a lot of technical issues. In a world where Blink 182 have 3.3m Insta followers and Taylor Swift has 284m viewers, rock music no longer rules the charts and airwaves: the band seemed to try and make this up with a load of childish mysoginistic behaviour. Attention is everything and Reading Festival may have lost its vibe.
\nShould the people of Reading care?
\n\u00a0
\nSome History
\nOriginally named the National Jazz Festival, the event was conceived by Harold Pendleton, the manager of the Marquee Club in London and an influential figure in the British jazz scene. Initially held at the Richmond Athletic Ground in southwest London, the festivals early years were dominated by jazz, as the name suggests. However, as the 1960s progressed, jazz began to share the stage with the burgeoning skiffle and R&B movements.
\nActs like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, who would go on to become legends, played some of their earliest shows at the festival. This period marked a significant shift, reflecting the changing tastes of a generation more interested in electric guitars than in jazz saxophones. The festival moved locations several times during these formative years, finally settling at its permanent home in Reading in 1971, where it has remained ever since.
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/ddda73ba.jpg\")
The 1970s saw Reading Festival truly come into its own, embracing the growing hard rock and heavy metal scenes. This era marked the beginning of the festival\u2019s association with rock music, a relationship that would define its identity for decades to come with bands such as Deep Purple, Yes, Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash headlining.
\nOne of the defining moments of this era was The Who\u2019s performance in 1971. Their blistering set, which included hits like \u201cMy Generation\u201d and \u201cWon\u2019t Get Fooled Again,\u201d solidified Reading\u2019s status as a premier destination for rock music. It was around this time that the festival started to attract not just British acts but also international stars, with bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC gracing the stage.
\nHowever, the festival was not without its challenges. The mid-70s economic downturn and the punk explosion created an uneasy tension. Punk rock, with its raw energy and anti-establishment ethos, was both a threat and an opportunity. While punk bands like The Jam and The Ramones played Reading, the festivals core audience remained more aligned with classic and hard rock, leading to some friction.
\nThe early 1980s were a turbulent time for the Reading Festival. Punk had left an indelible mark on the music landscape, and the festival struggled to maintain its relevance. In 1983, the festival even faced cancellation due to low ticket sales and internal disputes. In 1984 and 1985 with the Tories controlling Reading Council, licences were refused and the event did not take place. But Reading was nothing if not resilient.
\nBy the late 80s, the festival had rebounded, embracing a more diverse lineup that included the likes of The Cure, Billy Bragg, and the emerging heavy metal giants Iron Maiden. This period also saw the introduction of more alternative and indie acts, reflecting the broader shifts in the music industry. Reading was becoming a melting pot of genres, a place where rock, metal, and alternative music could coexist.
\nOne of the most memorable moments from the 80s was the 1989 performance by New Order. Their blend of post-punk and electronic music signalled the beginning of a new era for the festival, one where the boundaries between genres were increasingly blurred.
\nIf the 1980s were about survival and adaptation, the 1990s were about dominance. The grunge explosion in the early 90s saw bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden taking over the festival. Nirvana\u2019s 1992 headline performance is one of the most iconic in the festival\u2019s history. Kurt Cobain, wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair as a mockery of the rumours about his health, delivered a set that would go down in rock history. It was raw, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable\u2014a perfect reflection of the grunge ethos.
\nBut Reading in the 90s was not just about grunge. The Britpop movement, with its swagger and rivalry, also left an indelible mark. The so-called \u201cBattle of Britpop\u201d played out at Reading, with Oasis and Blur becoming regular fixtures on the lineup. Oasis, in particular, made their mark with a 1994 performance that captured the spirit of the time\u2014confident, rebellious, and steeped in the anthems that would define a generation.
\nThis decade also saw Reading expanding its horizons beyond the traditional rock and indie genres. Acts like Cypress Hill and Ice Cube brought hip-hop to the stage, while the Prodigy and Orbital introduced the festival crowd to the rising tide of electronic music. By the end of the 90s, Reading was no longer just a rock festival; it was a celebration of all that was fresh and vital in music.
\nAs the new millennium dawned, the Reading Festival faced the challenge of staying relevant in an increasingly fragmented music landscape, so the festival embraced diversity, offering a lineup that catered to both old fans and new, expanding and offering alternative stages.
\nThe early 2000s saw the rise of the garage rock revival, with bands like The Strokes and The White Stripes injecting a raw energy back into the festival. This period also witnessed the continued rise of British indie bands, with Arctic Monkeys delivering a now-legendary set in 2006 that cemented their place as one of the UK\u2019s most important bands.
\nHowever, the 2000s were also marked by the festival\u2019s increasing embrace of mainstream pop-punk and emo, reflecting the tastes of a younger audience. Bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and My Chemical Romance became regular fixtures, bringing a new generation of fans to Reading.
\nIn 2008, the festival reached a new peak with Rage Against the Machine\u2019s headlining set, a politically charged performance that resonated with both older fans of the band and a younger crowd energised by their anti-establishment message.
\nThe 2010s marked a period of continued evolution for Reading. The festival now operates as a dual event with Leeds, with the two festivals sharing the same lineup across different days. This expansion has allowed Reading to attract an even wider audience, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the UK\u2019s music festival circuit.
\nThe decade saw Reading embracing an ever-broader range of genres. While rock remains at the festival\u2019s core, hip-hop, electronic, and pop acts have increasingly taken centre stage. Eminem\u2019s headline performances in 2013 and 2017, as well as Kendrick Lamar\u2019s in 2018, highlight this shift. Meanwhile, bands like Foo Fighters, Muse, and Radiohead have ensured that Reading remains a vital destination for rock fans.
\nIn recent years, Reading has also made efforts to embrace a more diverse range of voices, both on stage and off. This includes a greater emphasis on female artists, with Billie Eilish\u2019s headline set in 2019 serving as a milestone moment for the festival and more recently DJ sets have replaced instruments.
\nThe COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the festival to take a hiatus, the first time it had been cancelled since the 1980s. However, its return in 2021 was a triumphant one, with a lineup that included Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, and Post Malone, demonstrating once again that resilience of the festival. But since then there has been a worrying decline, not only for Reading, but for festivals overall.\u00a0
\nSo, as local residents should we care?
\nEven though it has become more self-contained, with even a temporary supermarket on site, the event is estimated to contribute \u00a310m to the local economy as 105,000 revellers and 5,000 staff and volunteers looking after them head for the town, but its advent is met with a mixture of trepidation and enthusiasm by locals. The vendors along Caversham Bridge Road do a roaring trade, but the rest of the town is less affected and many criticise how little benefit such a vast enterprise brings to the town. However, there is a name recognition and even a 'cool' factor that burnishes the town as host of one of the world's leading music festivals that cannot be quantified.
\nSo, what needs to change. According to a range of commentators on Reddit and elsewhere on social media it's a combination of the lineup, the cost, increasing violent incidents and the fact that the Festival seems to have become a GCSE rite of passage for 16 and 17 year olds. Many people want the event to be 18 years plus. But, of course, changing any of this will bring with it further challenges for the organisers, Festival Republic (part of Live Nation).
\nTo a great degree, the evolution of the Reading Festival is a mirror to the history of modern music itself. From its jazz beginnings to its hard rock heyday, from the punk wars to the grunge explosion, and into the eclectic present, Reading has been at the forefront of every significant movement in popular music. It is a festival that has not just reflected the changing tastes of the times but has often been the stage on which those changes have been played out. But what do you do when music has become so tribal?
\nWith events like Glastonbury, Green Man and CarFest providing a more diverse experience beyond music, and a more quirky approach to three days in the sun, rain or mud it may be time for Festival Republic to go back to the drawing board. And perhaps most telling of all is that Oasis did not reform to play at Reading, but rather teased their forthcoming tour that is set to garner them a far bigger pay day. Like many other festivals, it seems that the world's oldest open air gig needs to rethink itself to ensure its future.
\n\u00a0
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\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nReading Festival, set along the banks of the River Thames in Little John's Farm over every August Bank Holiday, has become an institution that has not just survived the changing tides of music but has defined them. Spanning over six decades, Reading is the oldest popular music festival still in existence. Its history tracks the development of rock music over the past half century. But has it seen its best days?\nThis year the event did not sell out (there were both day and weekend tickets still available on the official website on the Thursday before this year's event) and there has been extensive criticism of everything from the rather lacklustre line up to the BBC TV coverage, and a lot of technical issues. In a world where Blink 182 have 3.3m Insta followers and Taylor Swift has 284m viewers, rock music no longer rules the charts and airwaves: the band seemed to try and make this up with a load of childish mysoginistic behaviour. Attention is everything and Reading Festival may have lost its vibe.\nShould the people of Reading care?\n\u00a0\nSome History\nOriginally named the National Jazz Festival, the event was conceived by Harold Pendleton, the manager of the Marquee Club in London and an influential figure in the British jazz scene. Initially held at the Richmond Athletic Ground in southwest London, the festivals early years were dominated by jazz, as the name suggests. However, as the 1960s progressed, jazz began to share the stage with the burgeoning skiffle and R&B movements. \nActs like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, who would go on to become legends, played some of their earliest shows at the festival. This period marked a significant shift, reflecting the changing tastes of a generation more interested in electric guitars than in jazz saxophones. The festival moved locations several times during these formative years, finally settling at its permanent home in Reading in 1971, where it has remained ever since.\n\nThe 1970s saw Reading Festival truly come into its own, embracing the growing hard rock and heavy metal scenes. This era marked the beginning of the festival\u2019s association with rock music, a relationship that would define its identity for decades to come with bands such as Deep Purple, Yes, Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash headlining.\nOne of the defining moments of this era was The Who\u2019s performance in 1971. Their blistering set, which included hits like \u201cMy Generation\u201d and \u201cWon\u2019t Get Fooled Again,\u201d solidified Reading\u2019s status as a premier destination for rock music. It was around this time that the festival started to attract not just British acts but also international stars, with bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC gracing the stage.\nHowever, the festival was not without its challenges. The mid-70s economic downturn and the punk explosion created an uneasy tension. Punk rock, with its raw energy and anti-establishment ethos, was both a threat and an opportunity. While punk bands like The Jam and The Ramones played Reading, the festivals core audience remained more aligned with classic and hard rock, leading to some friction.\nThe early 1980s were a turbulent time for the Reading Festival. Punk had left an indelible mark on the music landscape, and the festival struggled to maintain its relevance. In 1983, the festival even faced cancellation due to low ticket sales and internal disputes. In 1984 and 1985 with the Tories controlling Reading Council, licences were refused and the event did not take place. But Reading was nothing if not resilient.\nBy the late 80s, the festival had rebounded, embracing a more diverse lineup that included the likes of The Cure, Billy Bragg, and the emerging heavy metal giants Iron Maiden. This period also saw the introduction of more alternative and indie acts, reflecting the broader shifts in the music industry. Reading was becoming a melting pot of genres, a place where rock, metal, and alternative music could coexist.\nOne of the most memorable moments from the 80s was the 1989 performance by New Order. Their blend of post-punk and electronic music signalled the beginning of a new era for the festival, one where the boundaries between genres were increasingly blurred.\nIf the 1980s were about survival and adaptation, the 1990s were about dominance. The grunge explosion in the early 90s saw bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden taking over the festival. Nirvana\u2019s 1992 headline performance is one of the most iconic in the festival\u2019s history. Kurt Cobain, wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair as a mockery of the rumours about his health, delivered a set that would go down in rock history. It was raw, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable\u2014a perfect reflection of the grunge ethos.\nBut Reading in the 90s was not just about grunge. The Britpop movement, with its swagger and rivalry, also left an indelible mark. The so-called \u201cBattle of Britpop\u201d played out at Reading, with Oasis and Blur becoming regular fixtures on the lineup. Oasis, in particular, made their mark with a 1994 performance that captured the spirit of the time\u2014confident, rebellious, and steeped in the anthems that would define a generation.\nThis decade also saw Reading expanding its horizons beyond the traditional rock and indie genres. Acts like Cypress Hill and Ice Cube brought hip-hop to the stage, while the Prodigy and Orbital introduced the festival crowd to the rising tide of electronic music. By the end of the 90s, Reading was no longer just a rock festival; it was a celebration of all that was fresh and vital in music.\nAs the new millennium dawned, the Reading Festival faced the challenge of staying relevant in an increasingly fragmented music landscape, so the festival embraced diversity, offering a lineup that catered to both old fans and new, expanding and offering alternative stages.\nThe early 2000s saw the rise of the garage rock revival, with bands like The Strokes and The White Stripes injecting a raw energy back into the festival. This period also witnessed the continued rise of British indie bands, with Arctic Monkeys delivering a now-legendary set in 2006 that cemented their place as one of the UK\u2019s most important bands.\nHowever, the 2000s were also marked by the festival\u2019s increasing embrace of mainstream pop-punk and emo, reflecting the tastes of a younger audience. Bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and My Chemical Romance became regular fixtures, bringing a new generation of fans to Reading.\nIn 2008, the festival reached a new peak with Rage Against the Machine\u2019s headlining set, a politically charged performance that resonated with both older fans of the band and a younger crowd energised by their anti-establishment message.\nThe 2010s marked a period of continued evolution for Reading. The festival now operates as a dual event with Leeds, with the two festivals sharing the same lineup across different days. This expansion has allowed Reading to attract an even wider audience, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the UK\u2019s music festival circuit.\nThe decade saw Reading embracing an ever-broader range of genres. While rock remains at the festival\u2019s core, hip-hop, electronic, and pop acts have increasingly taken centre stage. Eminem\u2019s headline performances in 2013 and 2017, as well as Kendrick Lamar\u2019s in 2018, highlight this shift. Meanwhile, bands like Foo Fighters, Muse, and Radiohead have ensured that Reading remains a vital destination for rock fans.\nIn recent years, Reading has also made efforts to embrace a more diverse range of voices, both on stage and off. This includes a greater emphasis on female artists, with Billie Eilish\u2019s headline set in 2019 serving as a milestone moment for the festival and more recently DJ sets have replaced instruments.\nThe COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the festival to take a hiatus, the first time it had been cancelled since the 1980s. However, its return in 2021 was a triumphant one, with a lineup that included Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, and Post Malone, demonstrating once again that resilience of the festival. But since then there has been a worrying decline, not only for Reading, but for festivals overall.\u00a0\nSo, as local residents should we care?\nEven though it has become more self-contained, with even a temporary supermarket on site, the event is estimated to contribute \u00a310m to the local economy as 105,000 revellers and 5,000 staff and volunteers looking after them head for the town, but its advent is met with a mixture of trepidation and enthusiasm by locals. The vendors along Caversham Bridge Road do a roaring trade, but the rest of the town is less affected and many criticise how little benefit such a vast enterprise brings to the town. However, there is a name recognition and even a 'cool' factor that burnishes the town as host of one of the world's leading music festivals that cannot be quantified.\nSo, what needs to change. According to a range of commentators on Reddit and elsewhere on social media it's a combination of the lineup, the cost, increasing violent incidents and the fact that the Festival seems to have become a GCSE rite of passage for 16 and 17 year olds. Many people want the event to be 18 years plus. But, of course, changing any of this will bring with it further challenges for the organisers, Festival Republic (part of Live Nation).\nTo a great degree, the evolution of the Reading Festival is a mirror to the history of modern music itself. From its jazz beginnings to its hard rock heyday, from the punk wars to the grunge explosion, and into the eclectic present, Reading has been at the forefront of every significant movement in popular music. It is a festival that has not just reflected the changing tastes of the times but has often been the stage on which those changes have been played out. But what do you do when music has become so tribal?\nWith events like Glastonbury, Green Man and CarFest providing a more diverse experience beyond music, and a more quirky approach to three days in the sun, rain or mud it may be time for Festival Republic to go back to the drawing board. And perhaps most telling of all is that Oasis did not reform to play at Reading, but rather teased their forthcoming tour that is set to garner them a far bigger pay day. Like many other festivals, it seems that the world's oldest open air gig needs to rethink itself to ensure its future.\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "Reading Festival, set along the banks of the River Thames in Little John's Farm over every August Bank Holiday, has become an institution that has not just survived the changing tides of music but has defined them. Spanning over six decades, Reading is the oldest popular music festival still in existence. Its history tracks the development of rock music over the past half century. But has it se...", "date_published": "2024-08-23T06:44:59+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:23.004553+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/f4b6266e.jpg", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/f4b6266e.jpg", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Oldest Festival", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 2040, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
\u00a0
\n
\u00a0
\nReading Festival, set along the banks of the River Thames in Little John's Farm over every August Bank Holiday, has become an institution that has not just survived the changing tides of music but has defined them. Spanning over six decades, Reading is the oldest popular music festival still in existence. Its history tracks the development of rock music over the past half century. But has it seen its best days?
\nThis year the event did not sell out (there were both day and weekend tickets still available on the official website on the Thursday before this year's event) and there has been extensive criticism of everything from the rather lacklustre line up to the BBC TV coverage, and a lot of technical issues. In a world where Blink 182 have 3.3m Insta followers and Taylor Swift has 284m viewers, rock music no longer rules the charts and airwaves: the band seemed to try and make this up with a load of childish mysoginistic behaviour. Attention is everything and Reading Festival may have lost its vibe.
\nShould the people of Reading care?
\n\u00a0
\nSome History
\nOriginally named the National Jazz Festival, the event was conceived by Harold Pendleton, the manager of the Marquee Club in London and an influential figure in the British jazz scene. Initially held at the Richmond Athletic Ground in southwest London, the festivals early years were dominated by jazz, as the name suggests. However, as the 1960s progressed, jazz began to share the stage with the burgeoning skiffle and R&B movements.
\nActs like The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds, who would go on to become legends, played some of their earliest shows at the festival. This period marked a significant shift, reflecting the changing tastes of a generation more interested in electric guitars than in jazz saxophones. The festival moved locations several times during these formative years, finally settling at its permanent home in Reading in 1971, where it has remained ever since.
\n
The 1970s saw Reading Festival truly come into its own, embracing the growing hard rock and heavy metal scenes. This era marked the beginning of the festival\u2019s association with rock music, a relationship that would define its identity for decades to come with bands such as Deep Purple, Yes, Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash headlining.
\nOne of the defining moments of this era was The Who\u2019s performance in 1971. Their blistering set, which included hits like \u201cMy Generation\u201d and \u201cWon\u2019t Get Fooled Again,\u201d solidified Reading\u2019s status as a premier destination for rock music. It was around this time that the festival started to attract not just British acts but also international stars, with bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC gracing the stage.
\nHowever, the festival was not without its challenges. The mid-70s economic downturn and the punk explosion created an uneasy tension. Punk rock, with its raw energy and anti-establishment ethos, was both a threat and an opportunity. While punk bands like The Jam and The Ramones played Reading, the festivals core audience remained more aligned with classic and hard rock, leading to some friction.
\nThe early 1980s were a turbulent time for the Reading Festival. Punk had left an indelible mark on the music landscape, and the festival struggled to maintain its relevance. In 1983, the festival even faced cancellation due to low ticket sales and internal disputes. In 1984 and 1985 with the Tories controlling Reading Council, licences were refused and the event did not take place. But Reading was nothing if not resilient.
\nBy the late 80s, the festival had rebounded, embracing a more diverse lineup that included the likes of The Cure, Billy Bragg, and the emerging heavy metal giants Iron Maiden. This period also saw the introduction of more alternative and indie acts, reflecting the broader shifts in the music industry. Reading was becoming a melting pot of genres, a place where rock, metal, and alternative music could coexist.
\nOne of the most memorable moments from the 80s was the 1989 performance by New Order. Their blend of post-punk and electronic music signalled the beginning of a new era for the festival, one where the boundaries between genres were increasingly blurred.
\nIf the 1980s were about survival and adaptation, the 1990s were about dominance. The grunge explosion in the early 90s saw bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden taking over the festival. Nirvana\u2019s 1992 headline performance is one of the most iconic in the festival\u2019s history. Kurt Cobain, wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair as a mockery of the rumours about his health, delivered a set that would go down in rock history. It was raw, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable\u2014a perfect reflection of the grunge ethos.
\nBut Reading in the 90s was not just about grunge. The Britpop movement, with its swagger and rivalry, also left an indelible mark. The so-called \u201cBattle of Britpop\u201d played out at Reading, with Oasis and Blur becoming regular fixtures on the lineup. Oasis, in particular, made their mark with a 1994 performance that captured the spirit of the time\u2014confident, rebellious, and steeped in the anthems that would define a generation.
\nThis decade also saw Reading expanding its horizons beyond the traditional rock and indie genres. Acts like Cypress Hill and Ice Cube brought hip-hop to the stage, while the Prodigy and Orbital introduced the festival crowd to the rising tide of electronic music. By the end of the 90s, Reading was no longer just a rock festival; it was a celebration of all that was fresh and vital in music.
\nAs the new millennium dawned, the Reading Festival faced the challenge of staying relevant in an increasingly fragmented music landscape, so the festival embraced diversity, offering a lineup that catered to both old fans and new, expanding and offering alternative stages.
\nThe early 2000s saw the rise of the garage rock revival, with bands like The Strokes and The White Stripes injecting a raw energy back into the festival. This period also witnessed the continued rise of British indie bands, with Arctic Monkeys delivering a now-legendary set in 2006 that cemented their place as one of the UK\u2019s most important bands.
\nHowever, the 2000s were also marked by the festival\u2019s increasing embrace of mainstream pop-punk and emo, reflecting the tastes of a younger audience. Bands like Green Day, Blink-182, and My Chemical Romance became regular fixtures, bringing a new generation of fans to Reading.
\nIn 2008, the festival reached a new peak with Rage Against the Machine\u2019s headlining set, a politically charged performance that resonated with both older fans of the band and a younger crowd energised by their anti-establishment message.
\nThe 2010s marked a period of continued evolution for Reading. The festival now operates as a dual event with Leeds, with the two festivals sharing the same lineup across different days. This expansion has allowed Reading to attract an even wider audience, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the UK\u2019s music festival circuit.
\nThe decade saw Reading embracing an ever-broader range of genres. While rock remains at the festival\u2019s core, hip-hop, electronic, and pop acts have increasingly taken centre stage. Eminem\u2019s headline performances in 2013 and 2017, as well as Kendrick Lamar\u2019s in 2018, highlight this shift. Meanwhile, bands like Foo Fighters, Muse, and Radiohead have ensured that Reading remains a vital destination for rock fans.
\nIn recent years, Reading has also made efforts to embrace a more diverse range of voices, both on stage and off. This includes a greater emphasis on female artists, with Billie Eilish\u2019s headline set in 2019 serving as a milestone moment for the festival and more recently DJ sets have replaced instruments.
\nThe COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the festival to take a hiatus, the first time it had been cancelled since the 1980s. However, its return in 2021 was a triumphant one, with a lineup that included Stormzy, Liam Gallagher, and Post Malone, demonstrating once again that resilience of the festival. But since then there has been a worrying decline, not only for Reading, but for festivals overall.\u00a0
\nSo, as local residents should we care?
\nEven though it has become more self-contained, with even a temporary supermarket on site, the event is estimated to contribute \u00a310m to the local economy as 105,000 revellers and 5,000 staff and volunteers looking after them head for the town, but its advent is met with a mixture of trepidation and enthusiasm by locals. The vendors along Caversham Bridge Road do a roaring trade, but the rest of the town is less affected and many criticise how little benefit such a vast enterprise brings to the town. However, there is a name recognition and even a 'cool' factor that burnishes the town as host of one of the world's leading music festivals that cannot be quantified.
\nSo, what needs to change. According to a range of commentators on Reddit and elsewhere on social media it's a combination of the lineup, the cost, increasing violent incidents and the fact that the Festival seems to have become a GCSE rite of passage for 16 and 17 year olds. Many people want the event to be 18 years plus. But, of course, changing any of this will bring with it further challenges for the organisers, Festival Republic (part of Live Nation).
\nTo a great degree, the evolution of the Reading Festival is a mirror to the history of modern music itself. From its jazz beginnings to its hard rock heyday, from the punk wars to the grunge explosion, and into the eclectic present, Reading has been at the forefront of every significant movement in popular music. It is a festival that has not just reflected the changing tastes of the times but has often been the stage on which those changes have been played out. But what do you do when music has become so tribal?
\nWith events like Glastonbury, Green Man and CarFest providing a more diverse experience beyond music, and a more quirky approach to three days in the sun, rain or mud it may be time for Festival Republic to go back to the drawing board. And perhaps most telling of all is that Oasis did not reform to play at Reading, but rather teased their forthcoming tour that is set to garner them a far bigger pay day. Like many other festivals, it seems that the world's oldest open air gig needs to rethink itself to ensure its future.
\n\u00a0
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\n\u00a0
", "description": "Reading Festival, set along the banks of the River Thames in Little John's Farm over every August Bank Holiday, has become an institution that has not just survived the changing tides of music but has defined them. Spanning over six decades, Reading is the oldest popular music festival still in existence. Its history tracks the development of rock music over the past half century. But has it se...", "dateModified": "2026-03-18T13:01:23.004553+00:00", "timeRequired": "PT9M", "datePublished": "2024-08-23T06:44:59+00:00", "articleSection": "Articles", "contentLocation": { "name": "Reading, Berkshire", "@type": "Place" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-oldest-festival/", "@type": "WebPage" } }, "view_count": 0, "read_time": 9 } }, { "id": "274", "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai/articles/the-rising-sun/", "title": "Eating Out - The Rising Sun", "content_html": "\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/b3764a71.jpg\")
\r\n
Since Bel & The Dragon shuttered and the team at The Lyndhurst moved on, my poor octogenarian neighbour Liz has searched in vain for somewhere to have a decent Sunday lunch, and it is a not easy in Central Reading. A decent political party would have taken up this crucial issue in our recent local and general elections, but no, they concentrated on housing and transport and such trivia instead.
So, we poor citizens are left wandering the streets in search of the crispiest roast, the deepest gravy and munchiest Yorkshires....
The Lido and LSB don't pander to this British tradition. A tradition so strong that the French actually named us after it. And we rosbifs cannot pop down to Valpy's, who did a wonderful line in Sunday roast takeaways during lockdown that, frankly, kept many of us sane, but now closes on a Sunday for a well earned rest.
Of course, you could go to a Spoons or Green King pub and order a roast, but only if you down a few pints first is my recommendation - one of those ready meals from Tesco and a microwave may be a more sensible option.
There are many, many places just outside of town that do a fine Sunday feast, but that involves logistics and driving and things you really don't want to be doing on a Sunday morning, because it comes after a Saturday night.
Côte do a decent roast if you can get past the irony of roast beef in a French brasserie. But otherwise it is a bit of a roasted wasteland out there.
So Liz was excited to learn that part of Raymond Blanc's restaurant empire had opened a new outpost, reachable via both the 17 and 18a buses and she excitedly reported back that it was excellent.
In a town where everything that opens seems to be Asian, fried chicken or burgers, a new gastro pub is to be welcomed with relief and open arms.
But there is a reason why Fullers closed down the Bel. These are straitened times. Students, transient professional workers and an increasingly ethnic population do not hold the local boozer as dearly as us old codgers, which segues nicely into a Monday lunchtime where G and I excitedly headed for The Rising Sun. No, not for a roast, but for a boozy 'midweek' (our diaries are a disaster at this time of the year, so please cut us some slack) lunch.
And there is a good reason for eschewing a Sunday review. I have written two reviews of Sunday lunches for this column, The Narrowboat and The Lyndhurst, and both closed down before I could publish. So, with no wish to voodoo this new and welcome venue, the a la carte menu gets our full attention on a warm, sunny July Monday...
A quick look at the menu reminded me much of the Bel, which seemed to vacillate between heating up Brakes' food (for those of you who do not know, Brakes has a massive warehouse on Sutton's Seeds roundabout that delivers pre-prepared meals and ingredients to catering establishments all over the country) and being a true gastropub.
There is a checklist that most modern restaurants are obliged to provide involving steaks and chips and the like, but there are also brasserie favourites like bouillbaise and a good veggie and vegan selection, along with a merquez tagine, trout, crab and bream dishes. The menu is so well balanced that it could walk a tightrope across the Thames.
The ladies lunching on the next table had two bowls delivered and we drooled and asked our lovely waitress what it was, only to be surprised by her reply - the supergrain salad at a calorific value that would be expended by a walk to the bus stops at nearby Mary's Butts (provided you avoid a pit stop at our infamous local pie shop, the ironically named Sweeny Todd's). The supergrains looked lovely and delicious, as did every dish passing us on the outside terrace on a glorious sunny summer afternoon.
The pub has a great location, just off St Mary's Butts on Castle St and apparently has cells beneath it - there used to be an old medieval prison next door and the pub had stabling for 50 horses, so when, in 1947, Bertram Mills’ Circus came to town, along with its elephants, they decided to bed down at The Sun. Unfortunately, the elephants went on a bit of a rampage and caused parts of the pub to collapse.
Now, a rather shabby boozer and a car park have been transformed into a massive space with a drinking area, two huge dinning area and a very nice terrace in the shadow of our friends at Blue Collars Corner. There are also Fisherman's Cottage type outside cabins. Sans elephants.
You can enter the pub by the front door, but the dinning area reception is down the side via the large patio. It is massive, capable of a couple of hunrdred.covers with the outside fully occupied, I'd guess. And that is the nature of catering these days. You need volume to keep prices sensible.
I was greeted like an old friend and had a drink in my hand almost before I sat down. Indeed, the staff were utterly delightful throughout. Friendly, competent and truly concerned. It is perhaps unfair to judge this on a Monday lunchtime, but they did seem a bit stretched and by the end of our service reinforcements had arrived. This is always get it right service that makes you feel special and puts a smile on your face. After our waitress saw us rubber necking the supergrain salad, she brought every dish she served past our table and whispered what it was.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/0e1bbfa7.jpg\")
And so, to the food and drink. Well, the on tap booze is decent - Camden - which used to be a small local microbrewery when I lived in that parish, Cornish, Taylor's Chairman and Doom Bar. For me, on a hot summer's day, it was a Peroni (what is it with all the Italian and Spanish lagers that have taken over our bars ? Come on Denmark, come on Checkia, come on Wrexham Lager !). G joined me both literally and bucolically.
As ever, it took us half an hour to catch up before we could be bothered to look at the menu, with our smiley waitress making hovering a subtle art until we eventually turned our attention to the menu, which I have included below since it has clearly, like the rest of this enterprise, been carefully thought out by people who clearly know their stuff. The measure of this is that by the time you have finished your first scan you are already selecting what you will have on your next visit.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/9cb95a75.jpg\")
We were asked if we wanted nibbles, and one day soon I will return to see if the scotch egg gets even close to those that have been served at The Lyndhurst by the past couple of incumbents. But, no, thank you. The starter list is interesting but familiar testament to a great meeting at Blanc HQ (haven't I mentioned that this is a Raymond Blanc enterprise ?)
A sausage salad is tempting, but not an a boiling hot day. the fish soup sounded delicious, but just didn't stand muster at 28 degrees. So I opted for the heritage tomato salad with avocado paste. And G went for the souffle.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/5d73bf8f.jpg\")
It took us a while to order the very excellent pink Picpoul (now my wife comes from that part of France and she never knew that was a thing) and I predict that it's going to be the new thing. The markup on a £15 wine to £37 is reasonable, and clearly pricing has been carefully, carefully thought through. And boy, it was a great bottle of wine for a hazy, lazy summer afternoon (and we ended up ordering a second, of course).
The tomatoes were on a very generous smooth avocado bed with radish, onion and thinly sliced olives and mozzarella balls, The cheese wasn't really necessary and added little apart from protein. Oh, and there were sprigs of baby basil (the big stuff in my kitchen tastes better) with a tiny, right amount of oil. The dish looked summer perfect and tasted summer good.
The thing about tomatoes is that they are quite salty, but my grandad grew them in copious quantities and my grandmother's favourite meal was a pile of her husband's tomatoes and a pile of salt to dunk them in. And I am their grandson for a reason. But salting tomatoes is an art and here they were both the best ingredients, from the nearby Isle of Wight, with absolutely the right amount of saline seasoning. Who would have thought that some tomatoes dressed in a bit of salt became the best dish I have tasted this year to date ?
Sometimes simples is bestest.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/2bc7ded8.jpg\")
G's cheese soufflé was, well, a perfect and generous souflee with some chesse sauce to pour in the middle and make it even more cheesy. You will gather from this that I am not a souffle fan, as much as I admire its cuisance, but at The Rising Sun you knew that, on a Monday afternoon, not only was there generous talent in attendance, but there was prodigious talent in the kitchen. G could not fault the dish. Being consistent was something the Bel never got right and Valpy's struggles with. LSB is better, generally. But here I am confident that any time I turn up I will be served a correct plate of food.
So, after a further hour gabbling, onto our main course. For me a pork roulade with apricot sauce, hisbi, duphinoise and a sauce. For G a sweetcorn and peqiluillo pepper fritter with a salad. Yes, G went veggie ! I blame it on the heat.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/a1ad3bf8.jpg\")
The pork also came with crackling, which I put into my pocket for my wife, who loves the stuff. I hate it, the texture and overly strong flavours shock my taste buds. Our darling waitress, who is of my wife's persuasion, insisted that I try some. I did and hated it. Thankfully at this point reinforcements arrived for the wait staff and I never needed to disappoint her reporting back on my experience (until now).
But everything else was superb. The hisbi - one of my favourite things - was sweet and soft and ever so slightly charred. I think there was butter involved, but the residue had been obscured into a veil of taste that would have left me content if this was the only item on the dish.
The dauphinoise lacked a bit of creamines and was less garlicky than I like, but perfectly soft and delicious. There was a pink sauce (they call it jus) which, for some reason to do with the intrinsic loveliness of the other ingredients, I ignored. And then the pork, shaped into a roulade with apricot jam on top and inside. Now, a lot of people do not eat pork and a lot of people do not like pork - it can be a very dry meat - but I throw an L forehead at them. They are missing out. This pork was epic.
My father was brought up on a farm in Wales with geese and hens and sheep and cows and decided he was a vegetarian, apart from bacon. Well, I bet he would give up bacon for this pork, sweet, succulent and slightly charred. The best pork I have ever tasted this side of a Chinese recipe. And the apricot chutney was a perfect accompaniment. Better and more interesting than the more traditional apple sauce.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/a7b01a09.jpg\")
G said that his fritters were delicious. His plate was empty. In fact, I do not think a dishwasher needed to be involved post meal.
Onto our second bottle of pink Picpoul. We both went onto Vivino to try and add and rate it, but the transparent bottle defeated poor, paltry AI driven superphone cameras.
We could have drawn a line there. We were totally full - G had polished his plate and I had left a third of my meal. The portions were generous but not excessive, as seems to be the trend these days - double the quantities to justify the doubled prices since it is the overheads not the variable costs that define the profitability of catering establishments.
But, no, dear reader. We are your humble servants and we need to complete our report on this wonderful new addition to the Reading food scene properly. So, desserts there were.
They are, again, carefully priced. You can get three scoops of ice cream or sorbet for five and a half quid, which seems like a bargain these days.
\r\n
I had something that involved an orange and chocolate mouse, with teeth crunching crumble on top (honeycomb might have worked better) and a 99 flake and chocolate ice cream. (Apparently the 99 designation comes.from the fact that the Italian monarch had 99 bodyguards and this was considered the height of esteem in Italy. And most ice cream in the UK was sold by Italians, including the grumpy much mustachioed Mr Bertotelli in my home town.)
It was OK and I really didn't need it and sometimes a dessert is just a mistake.
\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/89dbfaf5.jpg\")
And G, who willl henceforth be known as Mr Souffle, had yet another souffle, this one made of pistachios with a chocolate ice cream dollop that he plonked in the middle of his dish. I stole a taste and, boy, did he win this one, despite not realising that souffles come from an oven and scalding himself on the dish.
And this sums up The Rising Sun. Just one visit tells me that this place is convivial, well managed, with dependable but also serves interesting dishes and provides good value for money. Their formula is spot on and something Reading has desperately needed.
And, much more important, we finally have somewhere the lovely Liz can go for a good Sunday lunch.
\r\n
\r\n
Since Bel & The Dragon shuttered and the team at The Lyndhurst moved on, my poor octogenarian neighbour Liz has searched in vain for somewhere to have a decent Sunday lunch, and it is a not easy in Central Reading. A decent political party would have taken up this crucial issue in our recent local and general elections, but no, they concentrated on housing and transport and such trivia instead.
So, we poor citizens are left wandering the streets in search of the crispiest roast, the deepest gravy and munchiest Yorkshires....
The Lido and LSB don't pander to this British tradition. A tradition so strong that the French actually named us after it. And we rosbifs cannot pop down to Valpy's, who did a wonderful line in Sunday roast takeaways during lockdown that, frankly, kept many of us sane, but now closes on a Sunday for a well earned rest.
Of course, you could go to a Spoons or Green King pub and order a roast, but only if you down a few pints first is my recommendation - one of those ready meals from Tesco and a microwave may be a more sensible option.
There are many, many places just outside of town that do a fine Sunday feast, but that involves logistics and driving and things you really don't want to be doing on a Sunday morning, because it comes after a Saturday night.
Côte do a decent roast if you can get past the irony of roast beef in a French brasserie. But otherwise it is a bit of a roasted wasteland out there.
So Liz was excited to learn that part of Raymond Blanc's restaurant empire had opened a new outpost, reachable via both the 17 and 18a buses and she excitedly reported back that it was excellent.
In a town where everything that opens seems to be Asian, fried chicken or burgers, a new gastro pub is to be welcomed with relief and open arms.
But there is a reason why Fullers closed down the Bel. These are straitened times. Students, transient professional workers and an increasingly ethnic population do not hold the local boozer as dearly as us old codgers, which segues nicely into a Monday lunchtime where G and I excitedly headed for The Rising Sun. No, not for a roast, but for a boozy 'midweek' (our diaries are a disaster at this time of the year, so please cut us some slack) lunch.
And there is a good reason for eschewing a Sunday review. I have written two reviews of Sunday lunches for this column, The Narrowboat and The Lyndhurst, and both closed down before I could publish. So, with no wish to voodoo this new and welcome venue, the a la carte menu gets our full attention on a warm, sunny July Monday...
A quick look at the menu reminded me much of the Bel, which seemed to vacillate between heating up Brakes' food (for those of you who do not know, Brakes has a massive warehouse on Sutton's Seeds roundabout that delivers pre-prepared meals and ingredients to catering establishments all over the country) and being a true gastropub.
There is a checklist that most modern restaurants are obliged to provide involving steaks and chips and the like, but there are also brasserie favourites like bouillbaise and a good veggie and vegan selection, along with a merquez tagine, trout, crab and bream dishes. The menu is so well balanced that it could walk a tightrope across the Thames.
The ladies lunching on the next table had two bowls delivered and we drooled and asked our lovely waitress what it was, only to be surprised by her reply - the supergrain salad at a calorific value that would be expended by a walk to the bus stops at nearby Mary's Butts (provided you avoid a pit stop at our infamous local pie shop, the ironically named Sweeny Todd's). The supergrains looked lovely and delicious, as did every dish passing us on the outside terrace on a glorious sunny summer afternoon.
The pub has a great location, just off St Mary's Butts on Castle St and apparently has cells beneath it - there used to be an old medieval prison next door and the pub had stabling for 50 horses, so when, in 1947, Bertram Mills’ Circus came to town, along with its elephants, they decided to bed down at The Sun. Unfortunately, the elephants went on a bit of a rampage and caused parts of the pub to collapse.
Now, a rather shabby boozer and a car park have been transformed into a massive space with a drinking area, two huge dinning area and a very nice terrace in the shadow of our friends at Blue Collars Corner. There are also Fisherman's Cottage type outside cabins. Sans elephants.
You can enter the pub by the front door, but the dinning area reception is down the side via the large patio. It is massive, capable of a couple of hunrdred.covers with the outside fully occupied, I'd guess. And that is the nature of catering these days. You need volume to keep prices sensible.
I was greeted like an old friend and had a drink in my hand almost before I sat down. Indeed, the staff were utterly delightful throughout. Friendly, competent and truly concerned. It is perhaps unfair to judge this on a Monday lunchtime, but they did seem a bit stretched and by the end of our service reinforcements had arrived. This is always get it right service that makes you feel special and puts a smile on your face. After our waitress saw us rubber necking the supergrain salad, she brought every dish she served past our table and whispered what it was.
And so, to the food and drink. Well, the on tap booze is decent - Camden - which used to be a small local microbrewery when I lived in that parish, Cornish, Taylor's Chairman and Doom Bar. For me, on a hot summer's day, it was a Peroni (what is it with all the Italian and Spanish lagers that have taken over our bars ? Come on Denmark, come on Checkia, come on Wrexham Lager !). G joined me both literally and bucolically.
As ever, it took us half an hour to catch up before we could be bothered to look at the menu, with our smiley waitress making hovering a subtle art until we eventually turned our attention to the menu, which I have included below since it has clearly, like the rest of this enterprise, been carefully thought out by people who clearly know their stuff. The measure of this is that by the time you have finished your first scan you are already selecting what you will have on your next visit.
\r\n
We were asked if we wanted nibbles, and one day soon I will return to see if the scotch egg gets even close to those that have been served at The Lyndhurst by the past couple of incumbents. But, no, thank you. The starter list is interesting but familiar testament to a great meeting at Blanc HQ (haven't I mentioned that this is a Raymond Blanc enterprise ?)
A sausage salad is tempting, but not an a boiling hot day. the fish soup sounded delicious, but just didn't stand muster at 28 degrees. So I opted for the heritage tomato salad with avocado paste. And G went for the souffle.
\r\n
It took us a while to order the very excellent pink Picpoul (now my wife comes from that part of France and she never knew that was a thing) and I predict that it's going to be the new thing. The markup on a £15 wine to £37 is reasonable, and clearly pricing has been carefully, carefully thought through. And boy, it was a great bottle of wine for a hazy, lazy summer afternoon (and we ended up ordering a second, of course).
The tomatoes were on a very generous smooth avocado bed with radish, onion and thinly sliced olives and mozzarella balls, The cheese wasn't really necessary and added little apart from protein. Oh, and there were sprigs of baby basil (the big stuff in my kitchen tastes better) with a tiny, right amount of oil. The dish looked summer perfect and tasted summer good.
The thing about tomatoes is that they are quite salty, but my grandad grew them in copious quantities and my grandmother's favourite meal was a pile of her husband's tomatoes and a pile of salt to dunk them in. And I am their grandson for a reason. But salting tomatoes is an art and here they were both the best ingredients, from the nearby Isle of Wight, with absolutely the right amount of saline seasoning. Who would have thought that some tomatoes dressed in a bit of salt became the best dish I have tasted this year to date ?
Sometimes simples is bestest.
\r\n
G's cheese soufflé was, well, a perfect and generous souflee with some chesse sauce to pour in the middle and make it even more cheesy. You will gather from this that I am not a souffle fan, as much as I admire its cuisance, but at The Rising Sun you knew that, on a Monday afternoon, not only was there generous talent in attendance, but there was prodigious talent in the kitchen. G could not fault the dish. Being consistent was something the Bel never got right and Valpy's struggles with. LSB is better, generally. But here I am confident that any time I turn up I will be served a correct plate of food.
So, after a further hour gabbling, onto our main course. For me a pork roulade with apricot sauce, hisbi, duphinoise and a sauce. For G a sweetcorn and peqiluillo pepper fritter with a salad. Yes, G went veggie ! I blame it on the heat.
\r\n
The pork also came with crackling, which I put into my pocket for my wife, who loves the stuff. I hate it, the texture and overly strong flavours shock my taste buds. Our darling waitress, who is of my wife's persuasion, insisted that I try some. I did and hated it. Thankfully at this point reinforcements arrived for the wait staff and I never needed to disappoint her reporting back on my experience (until now).
But everything else was superb. The hisbi - one of my favourite things - was sweet and soft and ever so slightly charred. I think there was butter involved, but the residue had been obscured into a veil of taste that would have left me content if this was the only item on the dish.
The dauphinoise lacked a bit of creamines and was less garlicky than I like, but perfectly soft and delicious. There was a pink sauce (they call it jus) which, for some reason to do with the intrinsic loveliness of the other ingredients, I ignored. And then the pork, shaped into a roulade with apricot jam on top and inside. Now, a lot of people do not eat pork and a lot of people do not like pork - it can be a very dry meat - but I throw an L forehead at them. They are missing out. This pork was epic.
My father was brought up on a farm in Wales with geese and hens and sheep and cows and decided he was a vegetarian, apart from bacon. Well, I bet he would give up bacon for this pork, sweet, succulent and slightly charred. The best pork I have ever tasted this side of a Chinese recipe. And the apricot chutney was a perfect accompaniment. Better and more interesting than the more traditional apple sauce.
\r\n
G said that his fritters were delicious. His plate was empty. In fact, I do not think a dishwasher needed to be involved post meal.
Onto our second bottle of pink Picpoul. We both went onto Vivino to try and add and rate it, but the transparent bottle defeated poor, paltry AI driven superphone cameras.
We could have drawn a line there. We were totally full - G had polished his plate and I had left a third of my meal. The portions were generous but not excessive, as seems to be the trend these days - double the quantities to justify the doubled prices since it is the overheads not the variable costs that define the profitability of catering establishments.
But, no, dear reader. We are your humble servants and we need to complete our report on this wonderful new addition to the Reading food scene properly. So, desserts there were.
They are, again, carefully priced. You can get three scoops of ice cream or sorbet for five and a half quid, which seems like a bargain these days.
\r\n
I had something that involved an orange and chocolate mouse, with teeth crunching crumble on top (honeycomb might have worked better) and a 99 flake and chocolate ice cream. (Apparently the 99 designation comes.from the fact that the Italian monarch had 99 bodyguards and this was considered the height of esteem in Italy. And most ice cream in the UK was sold by Italians, including the grumpy much mustachioed Mr Bertotelli in my home town.)
It was OK and I really didn't need it and sometimes a dessert is just a mistake.
\r\n
And G, who willl henceforth be known as Mr Souffle, had yet another souffle, this one made of pistachios with a chocolate ice cream dollop that he plonked in the middle of his dish. I stole a taste and, boy, did he win this one, despite not realising that souffles come from an oven and scalding himself on the dish.
And this sums up The Rising Sun. Just one visit tells me that this place is convivial, well managed, with dependable but also serves interesting dishes and provides good value for money. Their formula is spot on and something Reading has desperately needed.
And, much more important, we finally have somewhere the lovely Liz can go for a good Sunday lunch.
\n
\u00a0
\n![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/99980eca.jpg\")
\u00a0
\nReading residents are divided on the impact of graffiti and tagging.
Since lockdown, graffiti and tagging have become much more prominent on the urban landscape of Reading. But is this a form of artistic expression or just vandalism? In Reading, residents seem split on the role of graffiti in shaping the town's aesthetic and social landscape.
But this is nothing new. Graffiti, sometimes termed as the 'voice of the voiceless', has a storied history that stretches back to the dawn of human civilization. The earliest form of this expressive art can be traced to prehistoric times, when our ancestors adorned cave walls with intricate drawings. These primitive images, like those found in the Lascaux Caves in France, served as means of communication and spiritual beliefs. Far from being mere vandalism, these early expressions laid the groundwork for what would become a complex and controversial form of art.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/484c78cc.jpg\")
As civilizations advanced, so did the methods and purposes of graffiti. The ancient Greeks and Romans carved messages into stone walls, often to mark ownership, declare love, or make political statements - graffiti was present on barrels found in the nearby Silchester Roman settlement - perhaps Reading\u2019s original Banksy moment.\u00a0
In Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash, graffiti was important in revealing a society much like our own, with scribbles that range from the mundane to the profound. The etchings and voice of individuals who may otherwise have faded into obscurity, resonating down the years and providing valuable insights into the past.
The modern era of graffiti began to take shape in the early 20th century. During World War II, \"Kilroy was here\" became an iconic phrase, scrawled by American soldiers in far-flung locations, symbolizing presence and solidarity. This period marked a shift from mere markings to more symbolic and political messages.
The true explosion of modern graffiti occurred in the 1960s and 1970s in the urban landscapes of New York City and Philadelphia. This era saw the rise of \"tagging,\" a style characterized by the writing of the tagger\u2019s name or pseudonym in a stylized manner. Cornbread, widely recognized as one of the first modern graffiti artists, began tagging his name around Philadelphia to garner attention. This was more than mere mischief; it was a declaration of existence and identity.
New York City soon became the epicenter of the graffiti movement. The subway cars and building walls of the city provided vast canvases for artists eager to express themselves. TAKI 183, a Greek-American teenager, gained notoriety for his ubiquitous tags across Manhattan, inspiring a new generation of graffiti writers. This period saw the emergence of colorful, large-scale works known as \"pieces\" (short for masterpieces), which required significant time and skill, elevating graffiti from simple tags to elaborate murals.
Graffiti's evolution continued through the 1980s and 1990s, with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring bringing street art into galleries and museums. Basquiat, starting with graffiti under the name SAMO, and Haring, with his distinctive chalk drawings in subway stations, bridged the gap between street culture and the mainstream art world. Their works, infused with social and political commentary, challenged traditional notions of art and its place in society.
Despite growing acceptance in the art world, graffiti has remained a polarizing subject. Towns and cities worldwide grapple with the dichotomy of graffiti as both vandalism and art. The implementation of anti-graffiti laws and the use of surveillance technologies reflect the ongoing tension between property rights and artistic expression. Some places have embraced graffiti, designating legal walls and commissioning murals to beautify urban spaces. Initiatives like the Wynwood Walls in Miami and the East Side Gallery in Berlin, where a section of the Berlin Wall is preserved and adorned with murals, illustrate this complex relationship.
Street culture, encompassing not just graffiti but also hip-hop, skateboarding, and punk rock, has played a crucial role in shaping modern graffiti. This culture values rebellion, self-expression, and community, principles that are vividly embodied in graffiti. The art form serves as a visual manifestation of the struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities, providing a powerful platform for social commentary - the voice of the voiceless.
![\"\"](\"https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/p56af8945-d1ca-4019-b53d-3d4579e9c339/2026/03/6226c865.jpg\")
Artists like Banksy and local creative Peachy have taken graffiti to new levels, using stencils and physical installations to create thought-provoking pieces that critique social and political issues. Banksy's anonymity and clever use of public spaces have earned him international acclaim, blurring the lines between vandalism and high art, including the escaped prisoner on the walls of Reading gaol in 2019.
This graffiti was 'vandalised' by followers of rival graffiti artist\u00a0 Robbo, who had beef with Banksy going back decades after Banksy drew over an existing Robbo design in a tunnel on the Grand Union canal in Camden Town. Graffiti is vandalised...
![\"Banksy](\"https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/16A25/production/_117590729_banksywide.jpg\")
The digital age has also birthed new forms of graffiti, with virtual tags and augmented reality experiences. Graffiti artists now share their work on social media, reaching audiences far beyond their local neighborhoods and influencing a global community of artists and enthusiasts.
But is it art, the human need for self expression, or just sheer vandalism ? Recent data from a UK urban art survey revealed that 60% of respondents view graffiti positively, considering it a vibrant form of urban art that adds character to public spaces. However, 40% expressed concerns about graffiti contributing to a sense of urban decay and detracting from the city's overall appeal.
Sarah, a local\u00a0 Reading artist, believes that graffiti has the power to transform mundane spaces into vibrant art galleries. \"I see graffiti as a means of self-expression and community storytelling. It has the potential to spark conversations and evoke emotions,\" she passionately stated.
In contrast, Mark, a long-time resident of our town, voiced his worries about graffiti perpetuating a negative image of the city. \"While some graffiti may be beautiful, much of it is simply vandalism that degrades our neighborhoods. We need to find a balance,\" he emphasized.
City officials in Reading are exploring ways to harness the positive aspects of graffiti while addressing concerns about unauthorized tagging and property damage. Initiatives such as designated graffiti walls and community art projects are being considered to channel creative energies in a constructive direction.
As Reading navigates the complex terrain of urban art, we will all need to continue to engage in dialogues to find common ground and foster a sense of shared ownership over the city's visual identity. Art or vandalism ?
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
", "content_text": "\n\u00a0\n\n\u00a0\nReading residents are divided on the impact of graffiti and tagging.Since lockdown, graffiti and tagging have become much more prominent on the urban landscape of Reading. But is this a form of artistic expression or just vandalism? In Reading, residents seem split on the role of graffiti in shaping the town's aesthetic and social landscape.But this is nothing new. Graffiti, sometimes termed as the 'voice of the voiceless', has a storied history that stretches back to the dawn of human civilization. The earliest form of this expressive art can be traced to prehistoric times, when our ancestors adorned cave walls with intricate drawings. These primitive images, like those found in the Lascaux Caves in France, served as means of communication and spiritual beliefs. Far from being mere vandalism, these early expressions laid the groundwork for what would become a complex and controversial form of art.\nAs civilizations advanced, so did the methods and purposes of graffiti. The ancient Greeks and Romans carved messages into stone walls, often to mark ownership, declare love, or make political statements - graffiti was present on barrels found in the nearby Silchester Roman settlement - perhaps Reading\u2019s original Banksy moment.\u00a0In Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash, graffiti was important in revealing a society much like our own, with scribbles that range from the mundane to the profound. The etchings and voice of individuals who may otherwise have faded into obscurity, resonating down the years and providing valuable insights into the past.The modern era of graffiti began to take shape in the early 20th century. During World War II, \"Kilroy was here\" became an iconic phrase, scrawled by American soldiers in far-flung locations, symbolizing presence and solidarity. This period marked a shift from mere markings to more symbolic and political messages.The true explosion of modern graffiti occurred in the 1960s and 1970s in the urban landscapes of New York City and Philadelphia. This era saw the rise of \"tagging,\" a style characterized by the writing of the tagger\u2019s name or pseudonym in a stylized manner. Cornbread, widely recognized as one of the first modern graffiti artists, began tagging his name around Philadelphia to garner attention. This was more than mere mischief; it was a declaration of existence and identity.New York City soon became the epicenter of the graffiti movement. The subway cars and building walls of the city provided vast canvases for artists eager to express themselves. TAKI 183, a Greek-American teenager, gained notoriety for his ubiquitous tags across Manhattan, inspiring a new generation of graffiti writers. This period saw the emergence of colorful, large-scale works known as \"pieces\" (short for masterpieces), which required significant time and skill, elevating graffiti from simple tags to elaborate murals.Graffiti's evolution continued through the 1980s and 1990s, with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring bringing street art into galleries and museums. Basquiat, starting with graffiti under the name SAMO, and Haring, with his distinctive chalk drawings in subway stations, bridged the gap between street culture and the mainstream art world. Their works, infused with social and political commentary, challenged traditional notions of art and its place in society.Despite growing acceptance in the art world, graffiti has remained a polarizing subject. Towns and cities worldwide grapple with the dichotomy of graffiti as both vandalism and art. The implementation of anti-graffiti laws and the use of surveillance technologies reflect the ongoing tension between property rights and artistic expression. Some places have embraced graffiti, designating legal walls and commissioning murals to beautify urban spaces. Initiatives like the Wynwood Walls in Miami and the East Side Gallery in Berlin, where a section of the Berlin Wall is preserved and adorned with murals, illustrate this complex relationship.Street culture, encompassing not just graffiti but also hip-hop, skateboarding, and punk rock, has played a crucial role in shaping modern graffiti. This culture values rebellion, self-expression, and community, principles that are vividly embodied in graffiti. The art form serves as a visual manifestation of the struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities, providing a powerful platform for social commentary - the voice of the voiceless.\nArtists like Banksy and local creative Peachy have taken graffiti to new levels, using stencils and physical installations to create thought-provoking pieces that critique social and political issues. Banksy's anonymity and clever use of public spaces have earned him international acclaim, blurring the lines between vandalism and high art, including the escaped prisoner on the walls of Reading gaol in 2019.This graffiti was 'vandalised' by followers of rival graffiti artist\u00a0 Robbo, who had beef with Banksy going back decades after Banksy drew over an existing Robbo design in a tunnel on the Grand Union canal in Camden Town. Graffiti is vandalised...\nThe digital age has also birthed new forms of graffiti, with virtual tags and augmented reality experiences. Graffiti artists now share their work on social media, reaching audiences far beyond their local neighborhoods and influencing a global community of artists and enthusiasts.But is it art, the human need for self expression, or just sheer vandalism ? Recent data from a UK urban art survey revealed that 60% of respondents view graffiti positively, considering it a vibrant form of urban art that adds character to public spaces. However, 40% expressed concerns about graffiti contributing to a sense of urban decay and detracting from the city's overall appeal.Sarah, a local\u00a0 Reading artist, believes that graffiti has the power to transform mundane spaces into vibrant art galleries. \"I see graffiti as a means of self-expression and community storytelling. It has the potential to spark conversations and evoke emotions,\" she passionately stated.In contrast, Mark, a long-time resident of our town, voiced his worries about graffiti perpetuating a negative image of the city. \"While some graffiti may be beautiful, much of it is simply vandalism that degrades our neighborhoods. We need to find a balance,\" he emphasized.City officials in Reading are exploring ways to harness the positive aspects of graffiti while addressing concerns about unauthorized tagging and property damage. Initiatives such as designated graffiti walls and community art projects are being considered to channel creative energies in a constructive direction.As Reading navigates the complex terrain of urban art, we will all need to continue to engage in dialogues to find common ground and foster a sense of shared ownership over the city's visual identity. Art or vandalism ?\n\u00a0\n\u00a0", "summary": "Reading residents are divided on the impact of graffiti and tagging. Since lockdown, graffiti and tagging have become much more prominent on the urban landscape of Reading. But is this a form of artistic expression or just vandalism? In Reading, residents seem split on the role of graffiti in shaping the town's aesthetic and social landscape. But this is nothing new. Graffiti, sometimes termed ...", "date_published": "2024-07-29T11:14:19+00:00", "date_modified": "2026-03-18T13:01:19.596279+00:00", "authors": [ { "name": "inReading Admin" } ], "image": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/7b2c8b83.webp", "tags": [ "Articles" ], "location": "Reading, Berkshire", "_blocalai": { "structured_data": { "@type": "NewsArticle", "image": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/articles/ua17c56df/p56af8945/2026/05/7b2c8b83.webp", "@type": "ImageObject", "caption": "" }, "author": { "name": "inReading Admin", "@type": "Person" }, "@context": "https://schema.org", "headline": "The Voice Of The Voiceless Or Vandalism ?", "publisher": { "url": "https://inreading.beta.blocal.ai", "logo": { "url": "https://blocalai-storage.lon1.digitaloceanspaces.com/media/publications/logos/ua17c56df-2fdb-4df3-a0f2-e91f14421942/2026/02/45143885.png", "@type": "ImageObject" }, "name": "inReading", "@type": "Organization" }, "wordCount": 1230, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "articleBody": "\n
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\nReading residents are divided on the impact of graffiti and tagging.
Since lockdown, graffiti and tagging have become much more prominent on the urban landscape of Reading. But is this a form of artistic expression or just vandalism? In Reading, residents seem split on the role of graffiti in shaping the town's aesthetic and social landscape.
But this is nothing new. Graffiti, sometimes termed as the 'voice of the voiceless', has a storied history that stretches back to the dawn of human civilization. The earliest form of this expressive art can be traced to prehistoric times, when our ancestors adorned cave walls with intricate drawings. These primitive images, like those found in the Lascaux Caves in France, served as means of communication and spiritual beliefs. Far from being mere vandalism, these early expressions laid the groundwork for what would become a complex and controversial form of art.
As civilizations advanced, so did the methods and purposes of graffiti. The ancient Greeks and Romans carved messages into stone walls, often to mark ownership, declare love, or make political statements - graffiti was present on barrels found in the nearby Silchester Roman settlement - perhaps Reading\u2019s original Banksy moment.\u00a0
In Pompeii, preserved under volcanic ash, graffiti was important in revealing a society much like our own, with scribbles that range from the mundane to the profound. The etchings and voice of individuals who may otherwise have faded into obscurity, resonating down the years and providing valuable insights into the past.
The modern era of graffiti began to take shape in the early 20th century. During World War II, \"Kilroy was here\" became an iconic phrase, scrawled by American soldiers in far-flung locations, symbolizing presence and solidarity. This period marked a shift from mere markings to more symbolic and political messages.
The true explosion of modern graffiti occurred in the 1960s and 1970s in the urban landscapes of New York City and Philadelphia. This era saw the rise of \"tagging,\" a style characterized by the writing of the tagger\u2019s name or pseudonym in a stylized manner. Cornbread, widely recognized as one of the first modern graffiti artists, began tagging his name around Philadelphia to garner attention. This was more than mere mischief; it was a declaration of existence and identity.
New York City soon became the epicenter of the graffiti movement. The subway cars and building walls of the city provided vast canvases for artists eager to express themselves. TAKI 183, a Greek-American teenager, gained notoriety for his ubiquitous tags across Manhattan, inspiring a new generation of graffiti writers. This period saw the emergence of colorful, large-scale works known as \"pieces\" (short for masterpieces), which required significant time and skill, elevating graffiti from simple tags to elaborate murals.
Graffiti's evolution continued through the 1980s and 1990s, with artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring bringing street art into galleries and museums. Basquiat, starting with graffiti under the name SAMO, and Haring, with his distinctive chalk drawings in subway stations, bridged the gap between street culture and the mainstream art world. Their works, infused with social and political commentary, challenged traditional notions of art and its place in society.
Despite growing acceptance in the art world, graffiti has remained a polarizing subject. Towns and cities worldwide grapple with the dichotomy of graffiti as both vandalism and art. The implementation of anti-graffiti laws and the use of surveillance technologies reflect the ongoing tension between property rights and artistic expression. Some places have embraced graffiti, designating legal walls and commissioning murals to beautify urban spaces. Initiatives like the Wynwood Walls in Miami and the East Side Gallery in Berlin, where a section of the Berlin Wall is preserved and adorned with murals, illustrate this complex relationship.
Street culture, encompassing not just graffiti but also hip-hop, skateboarding, and punk rock, has played a crucial role in shaping modern graffiti. This culture values rebellion, self-expression, and community, principles that are vividly embodied in graffiti. The art form serves as a visual manifestation of the struggles and aspirations of marginalized communities, providing a powerful platform for social commentary - the voice of the voiceless.
Artists like Banksy and local creative Peachy have taken graffiti to new levels, using stencils and physical installations to create thought-provoking pieces that critique social and political issues. Banksy's anonymity and clever use of public spaces have earned him international acclaim, blurring the lines between vandalism and high art, including the escaped prisoner on the walls of Reading gaol in 2019.
This graffiti was 'vandalised' by followers of rival graffiti artist\u00a0 Robbo, who had beef with Banksy going back decades after Banksy drew over an existing Robbo design in a tunnel on the Grand Union canal in Camden Town. Graffiti is vandalised...
The digital age has also birthed new forms of graffiti, with virtual tags and augmented reality experiences. Graffiti artists now share their work on social media, reaching audiences far beyond their local neighborhoods and influencing a global community of artists and enthusiasts.
But is it art, the human need for self expression, or just sheer vandalism ? Recent data from a UK urban art survey revealed that 60% of respondents view graffiti positively, considering it a vibrant form of urban art that adds character to public spaces. However, 40% expressed concerns about graffiti contributing to a sense of urban decay and detracting from the city's overall appeal.
Sarah, a local\u00a0 Reading artist, believes that graffiti has the power to transform mundane spaces into vibrant art galleries. \"I see graffiti as a means of self-expression and community storytelling. It has the potential to spark conversations and evoke emotions,\" she passionately stated.
In contrast, Mark, a long-time resident of our town, voiced his worries about graffiti perpetuating a negative image of the city. \"While some graffiti may be beautiful, much of it is simply vandalism that degrades our neighborhoods. We need to find a balance,\" he emphasized.
City officials in Reading are exploring ways to harness the positive aspects of graffiti while addressing concerns about unauthorized tagging and property damage. Initiatives such as designated graffiti walls and community art projects are being considered to channel creative energies in a constructive direction.
As Reading navigates the complex terrain of urban art, we will all need to continue to engage in dialogues to find common ground and foster a sense of shared ownership over the city's visual identity. Art or vandalism ?
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
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