It was a huge priviledge to serve as the Mayor of Reading from 2021 to 2023. We are a generous, big hearted town, a town of bridges not walls and it has been a true honour. I stepped down at the council AGM on 24th May. As part of the …
Many Reading people in need of a Covid test are complaining that that they have only been offered slots at sites many miles away, such as the Isle of Wight or Inverness, or cannot get a test at all.
As Reading’s Labour Councillors we are united in grief that this tragedy could happen in the diverse, vibrant, welcoming town that we call home: We are shocked and saddened by the tragic stabbings in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening which have resulted in the deaths of three people and serious …
While I’m looking forward to supporting the Mayor this is at a hugely difficult time for us all.I am sure that we are all incredibly proud of the way that people from across our town have come together as we go through this crisis – from NHS staff and care …
Today I sent out my monthly ‘Love Reading West’ community newsletter. You can subscribe hereHere’s some of what I said: “I am sure like me you feel somewhat helpless. It is hard to know what is going to happen next and my usual monthly rhythm of sharing the events and activities …
A huge number of community groups and businesses large and small took part in the Macmillan coffee morning. I was delighted to attend one close to home in Tilelhurst organised by a local small business run by two sisters. It was a lovely event attended by their staff, clients and …
Today I met with Ericsson staff to discuss why they had moved to Reading, the benefits they are getting from being located in our town, as well as the work they are doing to improve their sustainability as a business. We also discussed Brexit and the concerns they have about …
Reading Voluntary Action have asked me to publicise this. It’s a great idea – a chance to set up a shared, cooperative working space in Reading – whether you are a small voluntary organisation and would like permanent office space, you are a home worker or social enterprise that needs …
Three very different events over the course of 24 hours. Don’t have a photo of the fun day yet (will put up when I do) but photo of meeting Rachel Reeves and being at Reading pride are below. Will blog about the meeting with Rachel later next week.
I’ll be adding photos to this over the weekend: Street Scene Northumberland Ave – Sat With Church ward cllrs Paul and Eileen – Sat
Last year I was really proud to launch the pilot the “Your community your cash” scheme where decent neighbourhoods funding will be directly budgeted for by local residents. I believe that the best way to ensure that money to improve neighbourhoods is spent wisely is to get local people involved. …
There are 40 road closures across Reading borough over the Jubilee weekend, and I believe quite a number more parties planned without road closures. In Whitley the big one will be Northumberland Avenue noon onwards on Saturday. It’s being organised by South Reading churches as an alternative to their usual …
Yesterday it was great to attend a pre-launch meeting for people interested in getting involved in Streetclub, a site for people to connect with their neighbours and organise things in their local area. It’s only available in Reading at the moment, and only just become a live site as we …
As a backer of the campaign for better support for rape victims in the Reading area who could do with a haircut this looks like a great idea! I’m planning to ring up with a bid, don’t want competition but advertising it for a good cause… Also I’ve just heard …
Really looking forward to this:www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest.Organisers are getting ready to kick-off what promises to be a celebratory year to remember with a bonanza of free activities for the Reading Children’s Festival.The festival, which celebrates its 23rd year, will deliver a three-week programme full of exciting events, music, drama, sports and arts …
Council press release:Safer Reading Partnership is inviting residents of South Whitley to have their say on which three crime and anti-social behaviour issues are concerning them the most.Residents can find and fill in surveys at various shops in the South Whitley area, as well as the Whitley Wood Community Centre …
A number of things coming to tomorrow’s cabinet including a very worrying report on the potential impact of the police and crime commissioners. However of very local concern is a petition being submitted regarding the technology based 14-19 secondary school in proposed in east Reading. Instead petitioners want an 11 to …
It’s certainly been an interesting month politically, both here in Reading and nationally. Nationally of course the budget, which we’re still hearing about and which has been attacked so widely. I like a sausage roll as much as the next woman but I think the big news there has been …
We are getting really close to improve the community hub for Southcote residents. Local people along with the ward councillors, including our wonderful Mayor Deborah Edwards, have been tireless in campaigning for this for years now. By bringing council services together and seizing the opportunity to redevelop the derelict Happy Prospect site …
I am delighted with the positive impact the flowers and plants have had in neighbourhoods right across Reading. Feedback from resident’s through “Let’s talk” confirmed how much we all care about the way our neighbourhoods look and feel and the importance of green space, which is why the spring plantings are so valued. This is funded …
This press release speaks for itself but it shows that what I am saying about the private rented sector in Reading isn’t just a whim, this is an issue which is increasingly affecting our residents and I expect this to increase as government housing policy and the lack of economic …
#rdg Here in Reading there are lots of plans already afoot for celebrating the Jubilee and the Olympic year. I’m excited about a couple of the things planned in Whitley for example but there are lots of different events all over town.If you are interested in organising one the council will …
I’m very excited about this. Press release below: Reading residents are set to be offered the opportunity to take part in an innovative ‘time bank’ pilot in a move which will help forge an even stronger sense of community spirit in the town. People who sign up to the planned …
I’ve just received a press release in my role as councillor alerting me to the benefits of Reading Freegle and that the network, of which Reading Freegle is a part (also on facebook with a really easy to use app), has been short-listed for a Climate Week Award for best community initiative. …
At tonight’s council meeting there will be a lot on the agenda and particularly a lot to say about next year’s budget, which I will blog about tomorrow if I have time. However I am also proposing a motion to full council supporting a SARC in Reading, a single point …
Even more tenants in Reading are to benefit from improvements to their neighbourhoods, thanks to the Council increasing its investment into community led initiatives by 10%.Reading Borough Council is to boost its spend on Decent Neighbourhood Fund projects this year, meaning £440k will be invested into programmes to provide a …
Earlier this week I met with those behind the campaign to have a one stop shop for women, men and children who have experienced sexual violence. I’ve been in contact with the campaigners for a while and have already signed their online petition . The Centres are called Sexual Abuse Referral Centres and …
My new colleague on the council’s cabinet, Jan Gavin, has been campaigning on the issue of the use of 35 Alexandra Road for quite some time and it’s not been an easy one to resolve as it has lacked quite a lot of the facilities needed for modern living as …
A consultation which ends almost 2 weeks after the changes come into effect, creating massive uncertainty for a fledgeling industry and not just moving the goal posts but taking the ball away for community environmental projects for the sake of the profits of the big 6 energy companies. Insert your …
After the questionable excitement of full council yesterday it was good to get back out in the community today, I took an early lunch break to attend the opening of the new Whitely Park nursery. It was a great occasion and it was excellent to have the Mayor, John Ennis …
I’ve just seen hot off the press the programme for this year’s Whitley Art’s Festival. Very exciting and something that puts Whitley and Reading on the national map for art. Really looking forward to the choral work that’s this year’s major commission (they’ve just started following me on twitter but I’m not …
Labour in Reading is serious about working better with residents across the community to improve services and to deal with the unfair hand that the national government has dealt us. The survey’s we’re already sending out are part of that but while that’s a great idea for getting a spread …
Cake judging in Southcote, #rdg on Saturday, had the added bonus of tasting the entries. The winning entry was based on a war time recipe and was delicious. Here are John Ennis and I after awarding first prize: Council press release: A community fun day, organised by the Council, together …
I went along to the Coley street party yesterday and it was great to see a real mixture of young and old coming out to enjoy the weather – the marquee was only needed for shade! It was the day of voting for the community projects that residents wanted to …
I was going to advertise this here but saw that Cllr Sarah Hacker of Battle ward has written a very clear and good post explaining what this is all about. So nip over to her blog for more info Of if you just want to get stuck in go here …
People have been asking me what it means in practice when Labour in Reading talks about giving residents more say and being a council that works with people not just for people. Well below is a press release that the council has just put out. It’s an example of the …
I will have more to say about the Northumberland Avenue shops area soon, but in the meantime if you are affected by the problems that have been bringing the neighbourhood down over the last year or so you might be interested in the information the police have issued today: “On …
I’ve inevitably been in the Civic Centre more than usual the last couple of weeks, to make sure I’m both up to date with what is happening in my new portfolio and also to ensure that council staff know what my priorities are. We’re working on some really important stuff …
I was nominated last night by the Labour party and group to be the portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods and Housing. This means that if we take control of the council I will be in the cabinet otherwise I will be shadowing the cabinet member. It’s a new role that combines …
<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–>As I said on Monday we had a great visit from Duncan Bruce, BAFTA winning producer, Poss Kondeatis (Until The River Runs Red) and Oscar nominated director and Student Academy Award winner, Tanel Toom (The Confession) Well the visit was a great success, the children loved …
<!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> My friend Duncan Bruce (occasional blogger and prolific tweeter @duncanqbruce) has organised a bit of a treat for 3 schools in Reading tomorrow. I’m not a film buff but even I get excited when I’m told a BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee want to visit …
There will be a public meeting at 7pm in the South Reading Youth and Community Centre (appropriately on Northumberland Avenue). It is being hosted by the police and the council and we’ll be discussing the problems outside the nearby shops. Please come along if you have concerns to raise. It …
Does our MP agree? <!–[if !mso]> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]–> When MPs voted Alok Sharma, whose constituency includes Sulham Woods, voted for the sell-off, and in letters to concerned constituents including me argued it was part of the ‘Big Society’. Has he changed his mind? On another note I went to …
I have been a school governor at Wilson School since 2008, something I am very proud of. It is a really wonderful school, and I am really proud to be involved with it. We had our Ofsted inspection recently and we’re now able to publish the results. I was one …
I’ve seen a copy of a letter from the Chair of the Reading Council for Racial Equality to Cllr Mike Townend that was read out in the council’s own Ethnic Minority Forum . This is where residents come to discuss the council’s policies relating to ethnic minorities (there are similar …
Odd things happen when you are a councillor. I had a call from BBC South who are putting together a program/news item on the old brewery, as they wanted to find someone who used to work there. I guess I could have mentioned my dad who did a summer job …
The Reading Council for Racial Equality organised a large number of community leaders to come together today to repeat our commitment to harmony in our communities. It was good to see so many people there including faith leaders, a representative from the Students Union, Councillors and a number of young …
Sights of mounted police charging what looked like peaceful protesters, protesters smashing windows, student sit ins. It’s like the 1980s are back. I really hope not and all this is a one off. On a more positive note, there’s still a time to donate a present to the Giving Tree! …
Today I went along to the Whitley Sure start open day partially as a mum and partially with my councillor hat on. I had a really nice time and it was great to meet with other mums – hi especially to Grace and Shona! I really enjoyed the baby massage …
Yesterday I went to two really enjoyable community events. Firstly I called in on the Kennet Island mum and tots group, which was lovely. It’s not every day (ever?!) that as a councillor you get a round of applause. But I did have some good news for them, which will …
Today I stood with many others from Reading at Brock Barracks for the civic Remembrance Day service. It was as always with Remembrance Day a very moving occasion and of course first in all our minds I’m sure were those who have died in the armed forces and those they …
Not many councillors can say that their ward has its own major arts festival, but Whitley arts festival is currently in the middle of another really successful year (last year’s major commission ended up in the Tate!). I popped along to the launch event for the flagship commission by local …
As part of Whitley Arts festival there is an exhibition of photos that didn’t come out quite how you planned, called ‘Fuzzy is OK’. There’s still time to enter your snap, which you can do by email. Mine is from a trip to Yorkshire with family, the light didn’t quite …
Had my first visit to Whitley Park schools since election day yesterday. It was great to see the progress they are making on becoming a single school, and the great ethos that the school has. I always think it’s hard to put your finger on what makes a school a …
Held a coffee morning on Kennet Island today with Mike and Jim, my fellow councillors today. Every time I go to Kennet Island I’m impressed by the changes on a year ago. I sound like an estate agent don’t I? But seriously, once they get the parking sorted and as …
I was at the Reading faith forum earlier this week and it struck me just how little the very people you would expect to be keen on the Big Society – the faith groups that do such great voluntary work, seemed taken with the idea of the council and government …
I’ve just written a letter to royal mail’s new chief executive, whoever that will be, asking them to reverse the proposal to phase out bike postal deliveries. It’s a decision that seems wrong on so many levels. I know that in Whitley ward – from experience of visiting constituents and …
I don’t usually mention people I buy stuff from but just wanted to give a plug common wheels. Joe and I have just joined this car club and tried it for the first time yesterday for a trip to visit an elderly relative (this particular trip is very tricky by train). …
Gordon Brown has backed Reading’s bid for city status and in his comments specifically mentions the area’s community spirit. I second that. Over the last few days I’ve been fortunate enough to attend 4 different meetings that show the community spirit. Firstly there was ‘governor’s day’ at my local primary …
Below are photos from this weekend’s events in Whitley. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf Cllr John Ennis has also posted hist thoughts on the conference on his blog – he gives a more detailed report than me, as he was there in an official capacity.
A few years ago Joe and I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Krakow. It was a trip organised as part of his teacher training and although money was tight at the time we decided it was an important visit, especially for Joe given the subjects he teaches. It’s now 65 years since …
As anyone who has been looking at Whitley News will have seen there is some great news on the funding for new council houisng to be built on the old site of the Avenue school: 40 units of top quality homes for over-55s. My opinion is that council owned and …
I’ve been working with councillors on a new website for Whitley ward. I’m hoping it will be really useful to residents: there is section on local news, a calendar of events (which I’m hoping residents will want to add events to), updates on Reading news and weather, useful links and …
I’m sitting in my office in the town centre getting excited about the snow. Hurrah! Went to a Kennet Island residents’ meeting yesterday. Was very constructive and positive I thought. Lots of hard work being done by the residents to get a more active community spirit.
I helped out Martin Salter MP with his street surgery in the Stockton Road area last weekend, by knocking on doors of people to check if they had anything that wanted to raise with him or a member of the councillor team as Cllr Mike Orton was also helping out. …
Given the currently weather (and for those who suffered from the flooding in 2007 in Whitley and Whitley Wood) this article is worth a read as it shows how much work is going on behind the scenes to try to prevent it happening again. It also mentions the Flooding Bill …
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been helping a resident from The Maying collect signetures for a petition that we are submitting to the council cabinet on Monday. The wording of the petition is: “We the undersigned are very concerned about safety in the shops area around the corner …
I’ve just got home from a parent’s evening at the primary school that I am a governor for. I was giving out teas and coffees to parents and chatted with them, the children and the teachers. I came home to the news being dominated by the appearance of Nick Griffin …
Just wanted to give a quick plug to this. If you or someone you know would enjoy the opportunity to take part in accessible cycling, the majority of participants are disabled children, then get in touch with Helen – she’s a very friendly, welcoming person and loves giving people the …
Went out knocking on doors to introduce our parliamentary candidate this morning and got quite wet, then went out this afternoon to the Harris Garden open day and got very wet! It dried up enough later for some nice pictures though. This one was a bit silly but we liked …
The University of Reading is cutting the funding it currently provides to support four Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) that cover the University area.This will affect permanent residents as well as students In particular it could set back progress that the PCSOs, local community and students have managed to achieve, …
Noise and danger from mini motorcycles have been an on-going problem in parts of Whitley. We asked the police to take action. In September this led to six riders having warnings and one cycle being confiscated altogether. If you live in Whitley, get in touch straight away if you have …
Yesterday I went to see what the contractors are up to at Junction 11 with Cllr Mike Orton. From what we could gather it seems to be going well and if all goes to plan it will be a big improvement on the old system. I was particularly keen ot …
Well I think that counts as a success! More people than I expected, media coverage (including speaking live on BBC Berkshire – to the delight of a colleague who heard me on her way home). Below is the press release: Reading delivers wake up call to world leaders! Reading residents …
There are plans for a ‘climate wake up‘ call around the world on Monday and I thought it would be good for Reading to have it’s own version so I’ve set up a flash mob event for 5.10pm in Reading town centre with the aim of getting into the local …
Went to Reading Pride last week. Partially for the music and entertainment and also helped out on the Labour party stall. We were collecting signatures for a petition asking the Conservative MEPs to break with the Polish Law and Justice party. It was very popular as were the ‘never kissed …
Went to an event raising money for love music-hate racism on Wednesday. Some really enthusiastic bands and was I think quite a success. But it was loud. Far too loud for me. Not to mention the fact that I looked at someone drinking a beer with a shot dropped into …
