Reading? Radical dude
Microsoft said recently there were similiarities between Seattle and the South West of England, in particular lifestyle and hi-tech “hotspots”, and that the Regional Development Agency (RDA) should build on the region’s IT strengths.
Now, I have nothing against Devon - they do good ice cream and I hear that their waves aren’t bad either - but we must, must ensure that the Thames Valley retains its status as a leading region to invest in (10 of the top 50 organisations in the world have their European HQs here).
We must ensure that Reading remains a magnet for technology companies. We must ensure a golden future for our town. These must be resolutions not just for 2006, but for many years after. We must stress to ourselves: We are Reading and we mean business.
Of course, the Thames Valley is no Seattle, but it can be something different. While you can’t surf on the Thames, you can jump in a canoe or kayak or explore the hills on a bike. We have big stores in the town (Debenhams, House of Fraser etc.), world-class restaurants nearby (The Fat Duck, for example) and top spectator sport (Reading FC, London Irish). And let’s not forget our famous festivals, WOMAD and Reading Festival! Perfect for creative radicals everywhere..
There are issues, of course, that require urgent attention. Transport, for example. The state of public transport is dire - train journeys in the South East can be diabolically frustrating and rail infrastructure needs much improvement (Reading Station is too small). In addition, we have too much road traffic. I’m hoping that the 2012 London Games preparations will help resolve our transport and congestion problems.
That aside, let’s look ahead with optimism. Confidence in our training and research facilities is strong, as demonstrated by the ICMA Centre investment. Reading FC and The Fat Duck are winning plaudits. And if you can surf off Devon, well, we can build an artificial surf reef, can’t we (seriously, how about it?)?
Happy New Year everyone.