Reading Roars!

Still on the theme of logos, Google today celebrates the 156th birthday of Oscar Wilde with a (rather gloomy) doodle based on The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Oscar Wilde was famously imprisoned at Reading Gaol for two years, occupying cell 33, and was moved to write a poem on capital punishment, The Ballad of Reading Gaol, after his release.

Today, visitors to the town can experience the Oscar Wilde memorial walk sandwiched between HM Reading Prison and the Kennet river, and admire its beautiful railing, benches and gate (altogether comprising one of Reading’s best artistic sets, in my opinion) unveiled in 2000.

The memorial walk, attracting few visitors (surprising for such an iconic figure), is suitably calming and peaceful.  The path is especially serene at this time of year, lying under a gentle carpet of autumn leaves.  Worth a visit.

There’s a lot of tat in Reading, a point which is regularly, forcibly, made by some of the lovely people who leave comments on this esteemed publication; most notably on the Ten Things To Do In Reading post (you should see the comments that don’t get approved!). However, as a proud and loyal Redingensian I can hold my head above the parapet and say that there’s also a huge amount of class here. 

As has also been a regularly noted on Reading Roars, there is a vibrant artistic community. Most notably to me personally, there is a throbbing music scene full of a vast variety of different bands, all intertwined and mashed together but also very separate and isolated from each other. I’ve got to be honest, as with everything here, there is quite a bit of tat, but there is plenty, probably more than in most places I’ve been or lived in, of class. 

One of the classiest bands in the town are Sleep Room, who sound like Pink Floyd if Radiohead had released Kid A in 1971. They’ve been playing in Reading for a good few years, they are almost veterans of the circuit, but recently they have caught the eye of a few people and have been gaining a lot more exposure with the release of their new CD ‘Gone’. 

They play at the 3Bs – the bar under the town hall – on Friday night (15^th), and this correspondent can very much personally recommend them.

I would also recommend a little band called Johnny Arrow & The Cheap Day Returns, who play at the Oakford on Wednesday night (13^th), but that would just be abusing my position wouldn’t it? Probably.

As I write, a pair of freelancing individuals are working, tweeting, demonstrating and exchanging ideas from Reading’s Global Cafe.  They call themselves “co-workers” and the organisers of this minor movement are CowCoop (#cowcoop).

Co-working is not a clearly defined concept.  But from what I can gather, it refers to microbusiness or independent workers gathering in a public location such as a coffee shop to work and share knowledge.  These workers, being free, roam from workspace to workspace like cows (and there you have “CowCoop”, a name also derived from co-working).

The benefits appear to be the environment itself (low-cost and comfortable); the coffee, probably better than the stuff served in most conventional workplaces; and the potential for new idea generation and innovation arising from different people interacting with one another.

I can see how something like this, given enough publicity, could take off.  Britain is changing: the number of people in one or two-person companies shot up from 140,000 in 2005 to about 400,000 today (according to Experian).  Many of these micro-company workers are armed with toys such as iPhones and iPads, making remote working an attractive possibility.

Today’s small herd in the Global Cafe seem optimistic enough. They have just told me via Twitter that their first CowCoop session is “going well”.  Cow-abunga!

Wetherspoons.

That word provokes instant thoughts doesn’t it? Teenagers. WKD. Aggressive young men with pierced ears and VD.

Or perhaps it’s other incarnation comes to mind – the day time version of Wetherspoons, full of the retired ale-drinking gentlemen of ‘advanced years’, reading The Sun and flirting with the barmaid.

I have to say I prefer the latter. Hopefully that doesn’t prematurely place me in the same social sphere as these people. Actually, to be fair, they seem happy enough. What better way to spend your day than sat in a pub drinking modestly priced bitter and studying the form for the 2.40 at Kempton Park?

Most Wetherspoons around the country are fashioned out of old theatres, or disused civic halls, or in one Northern case close to my heart, an old Turkish baths, but Reading has defied this trend and the three town centre ‘spoons are all non-descript, low ceiling’d places with nicotine stained walls and sticky wooden tables.

It was 2pm on a Tuesday and the most central of Reading’s Wetherspoons, the Monk’s Retreat in Friar Street, was absolutely rammed. We managed to find a table, right at the back, up the stairs below the swinging monk, dangling precariously above our heads like a 12^th century fathers4justice campaigner, and parked ourselves at the only table available.

I was with two female companions and, other than the barmaid quietly going about her business, they were the only two girls in the whole place.

The service was swift and friendly. I had a pint of Black Adder, which is a light stout, more drinkable than I expected and thinner than a Guinness or a Murphy’s. A nice compromise when one is unable to decide between a pint of the black stuff or something more traditional. The sauvignon blanc which my friends were drinking was smooth and fruity, and more than worth it’s modest price.

Foodwise, this is where Wetherspoons can also justifiably claim value for money. My fish and chips was £2.99, cheaper than a McDonalds, and much more fulfilling. It even came with a free cup of tea (which I shunned in favour of my Black Adder), and I feel it would be remiss of me to complain about the hardness of the peas when the fish was covered in such delightfully crispy batter and the chips were so fresh that I had to wait for them to cool down before I could begin eating them.

The girls enjoyed a cheese and tomato quiche and a steak and ale pudding with deliciously salty gravy (I dipped the odd chip) and had very little complaints at all.

Yes Reading has great independent restaurants and a good selection of national chains serving pretty much anything you could imagine. And I appreciate that Wetherspoons hardly needs any publicity on a website such as this, but you know what? Them £2.99 fish and chips were the dogs.

Ricky Gervais

Tom Meltzer this week asked in The Guardian “Who made Britain what it is today?” (inspired by a new children’s book by US President Barack Obama).  Tom proceeded to list 13 Britons who have helped shape Britain.

Looking at his list, I can identity four names with a Reading connection: Jane Austen, who studied at Abbey School; Charles Dickens, who became president of the Reading Athenaeum, according to Wikipedia; Queen Victoria, whose statue stands by Reading Station; and Stephen Fry, who played Oscar Wilde in the film Wilde.

But who born in Reading played a role in changing our country?  For fun, here are 10 suggestions:

• Daniel Blagrave, a signatory of King Charles I’ death warrant. A republic (short-lived) was then declared, the Commonwealth of England.
• Richard Burns, rally driver who became World Rally Champion (in 2001).  Demonstrated courage on and off the circuit.
• Ricky Gervais, comic.  Ricky (with Stephen Merchant) gave the world The Office and changed television comedy.
• Harold Hopkins, physicist who invented the zoom lens and the modern endoscope used in keyhole surgery today.
• Joseph Huntley, whose biscuit tin innovation led to biscuit empire Huntley & Palmers.
• Cormac Murphy O’Conner, former archbishop of Westminster.  He recently welcomed the Pope to Britain.
• Sir John Soane, architect to the Bank of England (he designed the famous entrance facade that City workers walk past everyday).
• Chris Tarrant, a popular TV and radio personality over the years.  Who Wants To Be a Millionaire is an international success story.
• Sir Thomas White, founder of St John’s College, Oxford.  Notable alumni include history makers Tony Blair, Philip Larkin, Rhodri Morgan and Kingsley Amis.
• Kate Winslet, actress.  The “little girl from Reading” (in her words) has risen to the top of her game and continues to inspire many young actors.

Johnny Arrow talked in the last post about the hidden histories of Reading, and the way that distinctive, regional stories and buildings nestle behind the ubiquitous chain-stores that characterise what the nef report has dubbed ‘Britain’s Clone Towns.’

Unfortunately the link to the free PDF file for the report ‘Reimagining the high street‘ doesn’t appear to be working, but one thing that seems fairly straightforward to comprehend, is that patronising local, Independent stores in our town will mean that those businesses tucked between coffee-chains, stationery giants and bargaineous High Street retail outlets will survive, so that we can continue to appreciate them in the under-celebrated, not-so-touristy manner that Johnny Arrow describes.

Which is why I was so excited to see this, whilst standing outside Jackson’s of Reading, waiting for the no. 17 bus.

Jackson's knitted cake, created by the Outcasts

You won’t see this in any other town in Britain!

One of Reading’s best-kept secrets in my opinion is Jackson’s of Reading. From the still operating change-chute at the front desk to the wall-to-wall wood panelling, it retains a charming, understated splendour, and a timeless range of products that remains relevant, for who does not need pins, umbrellas, handkerchiefs and a sensible pair of gloves for Winter? The gentle hubbub of staff chatting to each other can be heard as one drifts from room to room surveying the fine ties in the menswear section of the store, or the treasuretrove that is its needlework department. There is no music blasting from speakers to distract you, and the warm smell of the good wood that lines its walls is a great comfort when one steps in off the street. Civilised, regional, distinctive, it holds the rare distinction of being run by descendants of its original founder, and there is no place quite like it in the whole world. This year, Jacksons is celebrating its 135th Anniversary and one of several local knitting groups – the Outcasts of Reading – have partnered up with them to produce this stunning window display featuring a knitted birthday cake.

I interviewed Suzanne Stallard – one of the talents behind the project:

1. There is a big knitted cake in the window of Jackson’s! It has many candles on it… why is it there?

We were asked to work in partnership as part of Heritage Open Days weekend event. The Outcasts are based at Jelly and are quite adventurous knitters, and we thought it would be great to partner up with Jackson’s which is Reading’s oldest family run department store. When we heard we could work wherever we liked too, we knew it had to be haberdashery. We have an affinity with cake, it is important to us, everyone needs a good birthday cake and Jacksons were very deserving at having reached such a significant birthday. The target was 135 candles, one for each year but we doubled the number created so it can be used for many years to come.

many, many candles

2. There is also a banner in the window display which says OUTCASTS; who are the outcasts and where can I read more about them?

The Outcasts are a bunch of renegade knitters based in Reading. We are a mixture of all ages from 12 to 84 and have met up every Wednesday evening since 2003 for knitting, tea & cake. We are an active group taking part in many local public knitting events. More info on the outcasts can be found here http://theoutcasts.co.uk

3. I also noticed a sign that said ‘come inside and knit a candle’ can I really do that and if so, how does it work? Who do I speak to in the shop?

We were running a series of 4 workshops in the store where you could come and make a cake but they ended on Saturday however you can still knit your own birthday candle by visiting the outcasts website or http://alabamawhirly.com – who is the pattern designer – and download a free pattern. There are some printed patterns available in Jacksons if you want to pop in and ask the ladies in the wool department.

4. How can people get involved in future knitting events like this?

You can join the outcasts mailing list by signing up here http://theoutcasts.co.uk/do-you-want-to-speak-to-us/ or sending us an email to info@theoutcasts.co.uk

5. How long will the amazing cake be there?

It will be there for one week, as you know it is wrong to over indulge in cake-goodness but it will be stored and may make surprise appearances again

6. What does Jackson’s of Reading mean to you?

Jacksons is a store of surprises, it has the most obscure items alongside style icons – yes, believe it they have a comprehensive range to suit everyone. It is a part of my Reading history, where my school uniform came from, where I thought only older people went but now it means a store of secret stairways, interesting items, shoppers bargains and surprising art events. We should all be using it to make sure we keep it for the future and don’t forget they have the only working pneumatic payment system left in the UK, that’s a good reason to spend your shiny gold there.

shiny crocheted gold and Jackson's shopping bag

Matt wrote at the end of last month asking how Reading should rebrand itself and appeal to the wider world in a more exciting way, and attempt to ditch the ‘clone town’ image with which it is sometimes tagged. 

I think even the most devoted defender of our town can admit that this description is at least partially deserved, you just have to look at the shop fronts of Broad and Queen Victoria Streets to see them as either identikit national brands, or miserable, uncared-for bargain basement eyesores. But look up – the unmistakeable red and gold brick first and second floors, with their pointy turrets and carved fascias point towards a more important and interesting history than at first there would appear. 

The Abbey was one of the most important monasteries in Middle Age Britain before it’s power was seized by good old Henry VIII, and now it sits in quiet humility hidden between the beautiful Forbury Gardens and the Prison – yet another historically important landmark, having housed Oscar Wilde who wrote his Ballad of Reading Gaol after being contained there.

There are also plenty of stories of war, such as the important battle between the Saxons and the Vikings which was fought where the rivers Kennet and Thames meet, over near where the gasworks now stand to the East of the town. And the battle of Broad Street which was the only military encounter during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. 

I’m not going to go on – I’m not a local history expert and I’m not attempting to educate anyone here. 

Besides, you probably know all this if you’re a Reading resident and if you’ve taken an interest in your town, but one thing I’ve noticed since living here is that none of this history is cashed in on, or shouted about. People don’t generally come to Reading to see these things because they’re not told about them. And personally, I like it that way.

Look at towns like Oxford, whose streets are swarming with tourists and tour guides, whose local shops have been replaced with gift shops and novelties. Who trade on their past and their traditions. Whose whole image is defined by its – admittedly impressive – forefathers.

I much prefer the fact that I can wander through Forbury Gardens and under the Gatehouse. Down to the Holy Brook – created by monks by diverting the Kennet towards their Abbey’s walls so that it would power their mill – and quietly contemplate the fate of Oscar Wilde, housed behind the red brick wall of the Gaol. All this without being jostled and bothered by map reading tourists and bored kids trailing their anorak’d parents.

Reading’s history keeps a dignified silence, there for those who care enough to find it. That’s the fate it deserves.

The September edition of Monocle magazine explores Britain’s image and asks experts what they would do to improve it, from business to the arts.

I thought that it would be interesting to think about what Reading suggests to the world and what a makeover might look like.

Ask an international audience what Reading means to them and they might say “the Reading Festival” or Reading FC (I know that the football club is recognised in Premier League-loving Southeast Asia largely because of their successful run in the top flight).

The University of Reading might also get a mention, thanks to its overseas students and academic connections.

However, Reading FC are no longer competing at the highest level domestically and the Reading Festival takes place just once a year.

So football, festivals and indeed faculties aside, what else can we add to the mix?  How would you strengthen or reinvigorate the Reading “brand”?

Day 3 of the Reading Festival beckons and Guns N’ Roses are still dominating headlines after that show.  But what else has been happening at the Richfield Avenue site?

If, like me, you have been unable to go to this world-famous event this year, you might be interested in getting updates from the following online sources:

Twitter

• @allfestivals – UK music festival news
• @BBCreadingfest – BBC Reading Festival
• @BBCR1 – BBC Radio 1
• @Gigwise – News from… Gigwise
• #htfreading – Updates from Hit The Floor magazine
• @johnmcg - Co-blogger John McGarvey
• #readingfestival – The Reading Festival hashtag
• @TVP_Reading Fest – Latest Thames Valley Police news about the Reading Festival
• @vf – Virtual Festivals

Press

• NME.com news
• Reading Post special feature
• Reading Chronicle homepage
• Reading and Leeds festival on Twitter (via The Guardian)

Facebook

• Reading Festival status updates (via Openbook)
• Official Reading Festival Facebook group

YouTube

• Reading Festival 2010 videos

Who/what else should I add this to the list?

Ignore this sign

Remember how Reading Festival was granted an increase in capacity last year, up from 78,500 to a total of 85,000 by 2011? No? Well then you’ll definitely have missed the accompanying news: that Reading residents now get first dibs on a batch of 3,500 tickets to the festival.

If you live in an RG1, RG2, RG4, RG6, RG30 or RG31 postcode which falls under Reading Borough Council, or an RG4 postcode within Mapledurham Village which falls under South Oxon Council, you can go online from 26 March at 6.45pm to pick up tickets. The conditions for eligibility are a little confusing, but the ticket site will check your postcode before letting you purchase.

The residents-only tickets will be available till midnight on 28 March (or until they sell out), before the big general sale happens on 29 March. During that window, you should be able to buy tickets from http://www.seetickets.com/readingresidents, though the page isn’t live at the time of writing. For more details, check the festival website.

While this is clearly a good thing for all rock fans in Reading, we do see one problem: the line-up isn’t announced until 29 March, so you’ll have to buy the tickets without knowing who’s going to be up there on stage.

This doesn’t really bother us (we’d hate to miss the biggest event in the town’s calendar), but if you shell out £175 hoping for a killer headliner only to find it’s Kings of Leon yet again then you might be a touch disappointed.

Oh, one other thing. Thinking of buying a couple to sell on at a profit? Don’t bother – they’ll be checking ID on the gate. Besides, ticket touting is evil.