Reading residents can kick start the new year at the Mayor of Reading’s Sports Inspiration Day. From athletics to yoga, there is a taster session for everyone at the Rivermead Leisure Complex on Saturday 4 January, 10am – 3pm.
Sports organisations from around the Borough – including Reading’s football, athletics, basketball and bowls clubs – will be running a wide range of activities for all the family.
Every part of the Rivermead will be used, with synchronised swimming in the pool to challenges in the gym. American football, golf and tennis complete the sports line up, with yoga and Brazilian dance sessions for those who are not so sporty, but who still wish to keep active.
There will be free swimming for children throughout the day when accompanied by a full paying adult. Very young children will be kept entertained at the toddler fun time.
A special certificate and prize from the Mayor of Reading will be awarded to those who complete the Sports Inspiration Day Challenge by taking part in four activity sessions.
Entrance is free and there is a voluntary collection and raffle in aid of the Mayor’s Charities.
December 27, 2013 | editor
Reading Borough Council’s bin crews will be out collecting on normal working days and some Saturdays over the Christmas period, but not on the Bank Holidays. Residents are advised to check their calendars for revised collection dates or log on to the Council’s website at www.reading.gov.uk.
As usual, people are being encouraged to recycle as much of their Christmas waste as possible, putting cardboard, gift wrap and old cards in the red bins / boxes. People are reminded not to put recyclable rubbish in plastic carrier bags and also to put the right waste in their red bins / boxes – paper and card, cans, empty aerosols and plastic bottles only. Residents can also recycle their household batteries by putting them in a clear, sealed sandwich/freezer bag and leaving them on top of their red bin on collection day.
Reading Borough Council has nearly fifty bottle bank sites where people can recycle all their empty bottles and jars. Details of locations and recycling tips are on the Council’s website at www.reading.gov.uk/residents/rubbish-and-recycling.
December 26, 2013 | editor
The service will be at Reading Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, St Mary’s Butts on Thursday, December 19th, 6.30pm to 8.00pm.
It is a traditional service of lessons and carols retelling the story of the Nativity.
There will be a number of readings by representatives of local organisations. These include Councillor Marian Livingston, Mayor of Reading; Ian Wardle, Managing Director, Reading Borough Council; Stephane Weit, General Manager, Hilton Hotel; Mireille Haviland, Christian Community Action; Jon Roberts, Reading San Francisco Libre Association and Trust; Jana Hunter, Reading Youth Council; and Brigadier Michael Aris CBE DL.
The readings will be complemented by The Reading Minster Choir and The Choir of St Peter’s Church Earley.
For further information contact 0118 937 2771.
December 17, 2013 | editor
A new Reading town centre medical facility is being launched in time for the Christmas festivities.
Reading’s FIRST Stop Bus is designed to help ease the burden on under-pressure A & E departments which are struggling to cope with demand. A team of trained medical staff and first aiders will be on hand on the bus to provide a wide range of assistance such as treating injuries from falls or stitching cuts. They will also be able to help with illnesses or anyone who is emotionally distressed.
When a pilot bus went live in Christmas last year it treated 37 people, of which 26 could have otherwise have gone to A & E for treatment. The pilot was also estimated to have saved up to 94 hours of police time.
The FIRST Stop bus will be parked in Hosier Street, close to the centre of Reading’s vibrant pub and club scene, on the 21st, 27th and 28th December and New Year’s Eve. It will then become a permanent fixture in the town centre every Friday and Saturday night going forward and will be used in the day time to provide health checks and other educational purposes.
FIRST Stop stands for First Aid; Information; Refuge; Safety; Treatment.
The FIRST Stop Bus is a partnership initiative between Reading Borough Council, Reading Local Strategic Partnership, Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service, The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the NHS. In addition the project is supported by Reading Buses, Reading University, Hanover Display, Reading BID, South East Coaches, Reading Football Club, St Johns Ambulance, RVA, and the Street Pastors. The bus will operate on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm – 4am and will be manned by volunteers and trained medical staff.
December 12, 2013 | editor
Reading Borough Council has put in place a detailed action plan to drive up performance and get more families to visit Children’s Centres in East Reading. It follows a disappointing Ofsted report published today (Dec 11).
The East Reading ‘cluster’ – made up of Hamilton Road, Katesgrove and East Reading Children’s Centres – was judged inadequate in the recent Oftsed inspection. The report did praise:
A committed staff team
Parents appreciate and praise the support they receive
Staff are good role models
Families have access to a good range of health services
Staff work closely with health partners
The Council is already in the process of reviewing what is known as its ‘Early Help’ services, to provide a better and more effective package of support for children, young people or families in Reading who may need help. The Children’s Centre action plan will now run alongside the ‘early help’ review
The plan – which is already being implemented – directly addresses the key issues raised in the Ofsted report.
December 12, 2013 | editor
