Madejski reaches for the stars
So the big story of the day, splashed on the front page of both the Reading Chronicle and Evening Post, is Reading’s gleaming new Station Hill skyline planned by football boss John Madejski.
Madejski commented on the project:
I am a great believer in the future of Reading and its desire to be recognised as a European city.
“Our Premiership football team has put the town on the world map and I am keen to reinforce this achievement through this property development.
These are lofty (no pun intended) ambitions! Of course, we do need this project, to replace the embarrassing concrete eyesore currently greeting Reading arrivals, but it will take more than shiny buildings (the tallest, at 32 storeys, isn’t even that high - and yes, size does matter when it comes to buildings) to bring the town recognition on the international stage.
I would like us to focus more on cultural efforts, as I believe that it is through cultural expression that the biggest impact is made. Reading is already successfully winning international attention through music and arts festivals, and of course sport (thanks again to Madejski).
Last year the town lost a limb, with the departure of WOMAD to Wiltshire. Let’s fill that void, support our other festivals and invest in other cultural areas, and watch our recognition grow.
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Joff responded on 16 Feb 2007 at 3:30 pm #
I think they should put WOMAD on five days a week outside Reading station. That would make a terrific greeting for visitors fresh out of the railway station!
But we would need to relocate the station to Wiltshire first.