Social media survey: One-quarter of Reading councillors have a blog
I have been amazed by the number of significant Reading organisations joining Twitter in recent months (institutions that have included Reading Buses, @reading_buses, and Thames Valley Police, @ThamesVP), the broadening adoption of the #rdg hashtag (looking much like an airport code and fast becoming a new brand identity for the town), and the continued successes that are Reading Geek [...]
Political activists and councillors who tweet in Reading
There has been much media excitement over Twitter in recent weeks. The T word is rapidly becoming a household name.
It has yet to catch on with local political activists and councillors, however.
A bit of quick research on my part has revealed that the following only are tweeting:
Daisy Benson (CllrDaisyBenson) - Lib Dem councillor
Dave [...]
Luddite debate intensifies
The Tech Savvy/Luddite debate is hotting up.
The Evening Post published an article this morning on Richard Willis’ blog entry, Tech Savvy or Luddite?, featuring a comparison by the councillor of local parliamentary candidates and MPs’ online activities. Martin Salter MP didn’t score very highly in this analysis and was labelled a “Luddite”.
In response, Martin suggested [...]
Local political bloggers debate: who’s best?
A promising new local blog has surfaced on my blog radar: Reading List.
The blog has a local politics theme. Its Lib Dem author, “Oranjepan” , who I strongly suspect is also responsible for the political blog Not Yet Out Of The Woods, explained:
I’m immensely annoyed about the coverage of local politics in this bijou borough [...]
How we can make Reading a truly cultural town
Reading residents are being asked by Reading Borough Council what they think the town needs to make it a “truly cultural” city.
Interested parties can share their views during an event held on Tuesday 29 July at Reading’s Town Hall, or alternatively submit them via the council’s website. Ultimately, a new Cultural Strategy will be produced.
So, how can we make [...]
Grand designs: new luxury hotel to go ahead
The Evening Post reports that plans to build a new luxury hotel and leisure complex (yawn) in Friar Street have been given the green light.
I’ve not seen these plans but I’m hoping that the hotel will blend in a whole lot better than the Novotel monstrosity that looks like something designed for Ceausescu. Fingers crossed.
Police commit to cutting crime
My council tax has gone up again, as expected. Thames Valley Police Authority accounts for the biggest increase (again), so I was interested to read the Police Authority’s Finances 2007/08 document sent by the Council. The leaflet stated:
As a result of extensive analysis, and taking into account internal and external factors, we have decided that [...]
No need for new name
Reading East MP Rob Wilson has remarkably suggested changing the town’s name to Reading-on-Thames in order to “make Reading more appealing”.
Interestingly, this tactic is being tried already - by London Street’s English Language Courses (ELC). Stated on ELC’s homepage are the words:
Welcome to the online brochure of: ENGLAND LANGUAGE COURSES in Reading-on-Thames, Berkshire, England.
The [...]
A bridge too far?
According to the Reading Chronicle, plans have been unveiled for an IDR footbridge to “rival the Millennium bridges in London and Gateshead”. It seems like an exciting concept, but while the bridge may be aesthetically astonishing, how do we get the IDR to rival the great Thames and Tyne?
Concrete plan to dump civic centre
The “de-concretisation” of Reading continues apace. Reading Borough Council have commenced a public consultation on proposals to replace the splendidly grey civic centre with something less concrete-looking.
Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council Jo Lovelock (not “Joe”, BBC) explained:
The regeneration of this part of Reading is going to be a great opportunity to rid us of [...]
