http://readingroars.com A blog about Reading Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:07:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://readingroars.com/how-we-can-make-reading-a-truly-cultural-town/ Fresh from sponsoring Reading FC, Waitrose are now supporting local causes.  As part of their nationwide corporate social responsibility initiative 'Community Matters', Waitrose will award £12k in funding to community projects in the town (a grand a month). The initiative launched on Monday, with the first 3 causes to share the £1k ... http://readingroars.com/waitrose-to-support-community-projects/ Do you ever feel like going back to the 20th century?  I know I do sometimes (1990s, that is).  Well, now you can, sort of, thanks to mid20c, a newly opened Oxford Rd retro shop. The store sells furniture, homewares and collectables from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.  I personally ... http://readingroars.com/mid20c-offers-blast-from-the-past/ This post has been fermenting in my head for some time.  At last, here are my top 10 tips for a better train journey.  Please submit your tips.  Care and share, as they say! Avoid the Monday morning queue(s).  These can be very long indeed at Reading Station.  Buy your ticket ... http://readingroars.com/how-to-have-a-better-train-journey/ More desperation in credit crunchy times.  I received the following two text messages from a popular Reading gym I'd recently left (I won't name it): <fitness centre> want you back as a member, rejoin before the <date> & receive a ONE month contract & NO joining fee! then Re-join <fitness centre> by 8pm today & recieve [sic] ... http://readingroars.com/fitness-centre-text-drive/ The First Great Western Scrutiny Meeting was held in Reading's elegant Old Town Hall last night.  I attended with a few scraps of paper and biro (I haven't reached the Twitter stage yet), expecting some interesting exchanges.  I wasn't disappointed.  It was an informative and useful session, and I hope ... http://readingroars.com/first-great-western-scrutinised-by-reading-public/ First Great Western's Chief Operating Officer will be facing questions tomorrow evening from councillors and the public about the performance of the operator's rail services between Reading and London.  The Special Scrutiny Meeting on First Great Western Performance will take place at 7pm at the Old Town Hall's Victoria Hall. You can ... http://readingroars.com/public-meeting-with-first-great-western-boss/ Local online dating site Datereading.com will be relaunching on 21 July.  New features will include, we're told: Video chat SMS messages to members Advanced search facilities Weekly events A Polish language option Good luck to Faarhad and team (and to all those looking for a relationship, of course) :) http://readingroars.com/datereadingcom-to-return-with-new-features/ Again, it's been a while since I last posted on this blog (though I have continued to provide updates on Twitter).  I have been out and about, doing this, that and the other - including recording fab new Roarcasts (= Reading Roars! podcast episodes) at Mix cocktail bar and Sushi One0eight.  More ... http://readingroars.com/new-roarcasts-coming-soon/ Fewer First Great Western customers have been complaining about late trains, according to regional station manager Steve Lewis.  Instead, complaints were about how the train operator "were going to improve the comfort on the services".  I agree that comfort can be an issue. This morning, for example, I stood inches from ... http://readingroars.com/first-great-western-customers-concerned-about-comfort/