Did ya know... RASPO (Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra) plays at Notting Hill Carnival each year? This year accompanied by a Reading Buses support bus (can confirm the drivers were 100% up for the vibes - 10/10!) I believe the RASPO branding will be on the bus for the next two weeks so if you spot it - send us a pic!

If you're interested in learning steel pan - CultureMix Arts run six week beginner workshops throughout the year https://culturemixarts.co.uk/education/workshops-2/steel-band-workshops-raspo/ - next one starting mid-September https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/steel-band-beginner-workshops-course-34-tickets-1994820591087

You may have seen others posting about it already, but just a reminder that the M4 is closing between junction 10 and 11 in a few weekends' time.

It'll be shutting in both directions from 9pm next Friday (18 September) until 6am on Monday 21 September, with a diversion through Wokingham Borough.

This is so that Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks can restring high voltage lines (more detail on their website) after a tree fell onto a pylon in February.

They've rebuilt the pylon but now they need to join it to another one on the other side of the motorway.

Hatch Farm Way in Winnersh will also be closed, as it runs alongside the M4 where the new wires are being suspended.

The work needs to be done before the nights start drawing in, as the teams need to work in daylight for safety reasons.

Traffic will be diverted in both directions via the A329M, Winnersh Triangle, Showcase roundabout, Lower Earley Way and B3270, as per the diagram above.

Journeys are very likely to take longer than normal, so plan ahead now.

Hiya!

Have moved in to a flat near Broad Street Mall, noticed that giffgaff service isn't the best here and with a basement flat, will definitely need good wifi. Any suggestions?

I will also be likely to move place due to my job contract type in less than a year

P.S. asked previously, I’m not a gamer and not streaming. 👾

Thanks

📄📄📖📖📖

Hiya! Recently moved to central Reading and while i unfortunately cannot adopt or long term foster abandoned cats; if someone ever comes across one please send me a message as I do have the space and capacity to look after one until a shelter or appropriate person can be reached.

Hey all!

I have had this stuffed elk for a long time, and my kids have all grown up and left home, and it’s quite lonely.

The Elk has tried Hinge but no luck, so looking to see if there is a natural home where he might get some love.

They actually came from the Mercedes Benz factory in Stugggart many years ago (when the Mercedes A Class failed the elk test and had to be mass recalled, and the Germans thought this was uber funny), so they are well travelled!

Any good suggestions; kids homes, hospitals, care homes, or any other good ideas?

It’s massive so I’d rather not post it!

Thanks!

Hello!

I’m francis and I’m located in Reading and working within the community through two different charities but I have to move out due to an unexpected situation and would really appreciate any help or assistance in this. Im currently working for a drug and alcohol addiction service to help people rough sleeping and I also do part time work for a mental health charity on Saturdays. Im currently studying psychology and want to try and make things abit brighter for people! Im just looking for somewhere to live so i can continue to pursue my passion. I love reading and have helped with the Green Party campaign over the last few years and don’t want to leave or go back to London.

I obviously know there are websites that can help with this stuff but I thought it might be good to reach out on here first!

I’m also an artist and poet so I’m always up for anything creative

Room / flat / shed / garage - all good, I just want to continue my work within the community

I know that

Hi everyone,

I am working in Reading near the station tomorrow and was wondering what options are best to park near the station area (can park ~10 min radius walk)

I am aware of some Park and ride services but I believe none of these actually drop you off near the station unless i’m wrong?

For context I will be arriving in reading around 9am and will need a place to park for the day.

Thank you for any replies in advance!!

Just been into town and got my haircut. Parked at queens road car park, Reading and just paid £4.60 for 45 mins parking, wtf, when did this happen? I’ve always chosen the local council car parks but I’m off to the private ones based on those prices. When did this change happen, did I completely miss it? I just thought the hour display was missing not that you couldn’t be charged for an hour.

Hi! Not massively Reading specific but I am having a hysterectomy soon and would like to know if anyone here would be able to recommend places they've gone to for Pelvic Floor Therapy.

A pro if they heard about endometriosis but even some general guidance would be massively helpful.

Ta!

would love to see more shows like this in future, which extend the festival to town and link in grassroots venues and local acts

Shopping in the week in the town centre and got stopped multiple times by British Gas, a deaf children’s charity and someone preaching about god. BG and the charity were even shouting at my teenage daughter to stop for them. I wouldn’t care if they were polite but shouting on repeat “hello, Miss, hello, Miss, hello, Miss” right behind a 13 year old girl as you follow her down the street is not acceptable. Why do companies still use these tactics? No one is stopping for them, I’m already with BG and feel like emailing them and telling them to do one. Reading is awful for this, I don’t see it in others towns as much as I do here - or maybe it is because the high street is so compact?

Just heard in another shop that their entire Pokemon and YGO communities have walked out? Apparently all the others are planning to follow, especially with the forbidden planet opening? Have always heard the owner was pretty rude and generally not a nice person but the rest of the staff made it worth it, so this feels kinda outta the blu?

Don’t wanna lose my LGS but if their becoming that bad then maybe it’s a matter of time

Edit: wow did not expect so much response. Thanks Reddit for filling me in - I also spoke to my friends who (separately) confirmed that they’ve heard the owner be rude and belittling to their own staff several times over the years as well as other regulars which is why they don’t shop there. Hopefully it changes hands because otherwise I’d love to keep supporting it, but I don’t support nasty people, no matter if the world needs more nerd spaces!

Edit 2: things seem to be getting heated in the comments. I kno my 2 cents probably mean nothing, but I think some people have had good experiences, and some have had bad experiences. To me the bad seems pretty overwhelming, especially as the bad seem to be regulars (and also the trust pilot is pretty bad). I really really hope EG see this and take a long hard look at themselves but as I said I don’t like people that treat staff (Jesus Christ I respect them all the more) and that many customers badly. But that’s my opinion. You do you, but there’s Clearly a LOT of feelings here, and that feels like something that ought to be listened to

Does anyone know of any Arab deli or supermarket in Reading? Serving Lebanese/Syrian groceries in particular would be great

Can anyone recommend somewhere for adult swimming lessons around Reading?

I’m fairly comfortable in the water and can swim open-water breaststroke. I’ve competed in a triathlon, but my front crawl definitely needs some work!

I’ve got another event next year and would like to get my technique and confidence up. Any recommendations for good coaches, 1-to-1 lessons or adult classes?

Thanks

Hi! I’m a female automotive enthusiast in my early 20s and I’m looking to create a new local car community aimed at enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s.

The idea is to organise casual meets and roadtrips, make some new friends, share car knowledge and generally have a group of like-minded people to enjoy the hobby with — Ideally people with classics. Pre 95 or looking to buy.

I currently daily a 1983 Porsche 924, so I’m wondering if anyone here has spotted me around 👀

Are there any other younger car enthusiasts in the area? Drop a comment below and, if there’s enough interest, I’ll get a WhatsApp group started!

Reading news: the owners of Fidget & Bob have sold the business. Today is their last day before it changes hands, and the new owners are keeping the name.

One of my friends birthdays upcoming and I’d love to give him a gift voucher for somewhere that does a really good charcuterie board in Reading as he loves his cheese and meat. Have had a google but would love to hear any recommendations for less known places! Can be surrounding areas eg wokingham. Thanks :-)

edited to add - preferably to eat in; but open to online orders too!

Hey so I'm planning to do an LLB undergraduate in the university of reading starting in September.

The only preferences (aside from the obvious- safe, hygiene not depressing and not over priced relatively) I have is that I have my own toilet and it's close to where I'm going to study as well as social places.

Other stuff is that the area isn't too shabby and the people are nice are important too and you can only get information from asking people like yourselves.

So does anyone have suggestions based on their experience?

I would be highly grateful. 🫶🙏

Join us for the Reading Geek Night September event (Tue 8th Sept from 7pm) upstairs at ZeroDegrees (Reading). Come & listen to Charlotte Weston, Greg Patient & Vanessa Simoes from the University of Reading talk about - ‘More Than a Gut Feeling: How can we aid metabolic, mental and sleep health through nutrition?‘ Followed by a pub quiz. Everyone Welcome! Please check our bio & socials for more info.

I live nr Earley station and the music from the festival is like it’s on next door. Here’s to hoping for a change in wind direction

God I sound old saying that, esp as I went to the damn festival 17yrs running