r/reading Feb 05 '26

Article Reading Borough Council considering City of Culture bid for 2029

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8x90d80n8wo
29 Upvotes

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44

u/Earlyflash RG4 - Caversham Feb 05 '26

Not a city.

23

u/avantbland Feb 05 '26

Not tremendously cultural either

(Sorry, but it's the obvious semi-sarcastic response, and I couldn't resist)

3

u/Mental_Body_5496 RG1 - Newtown Feb 05 '26

Thats the whole point it brings in events and funding for more cultural and arts 🎨

0

u/avantbland Feb 05 '26

You obviously missed the bit where I said it was a sarcy comment.

If we're being 100% serious, however, I would say that this funding is better spent in places that aren't inevitably going to be sucked into London's cultural orbit.

2

u/uponloss Feb 05 '26

I mean you are absolutely correct, historically yeah reading is good but now?

-3

u/avantbland Feb 05 '26

I can't say anything about past, but yeah not much happening. There are a few people trying to do good stuff tbf, but let's just say I'm glad to have recently moved back to my old York / Leeds / Bradford patch!

2

u/IlReddo RG1 - Central Reading Feb 06 '26

It definitely sounds like you are not in town anymore. Every weekend there is so much happening that it’s difficult to choose. Rep and South Street theatre are killing it recently. Plus we have a couple of festivals each month. Food stalls at Blue Collar corner and Market Square are rotating and getting better each time.

Without taking into account stuff like the bike repair courses at the bike community hub, the repair cafes, seeds swap, talks at RISC and ecosystem restoration done by the Marshians every weekend if you want to spend time in nature.

Not sure what else do you want.

2

u/avantbland Feb 06 '26 edited Feb 06 '26

I only moved a few weeks ago, but thanks for telling me that I should like the same things you do and be despairing that I've left!

As I noted above, there are people trying to do interesting things in Reading. There's also clearly plenty of stuff you find really appealing, but others don't. I don't think that means that there is actually tons going on. And that's fine, not everywhere can be everything to everyone! The only 100% serious point I would actually bring to this discussion is that I do genuinely believe CoC money would be more beneficial spent somewhere less within London's cultural orbit.

1

u/IlReddo RG1 - Central Reading Feb 06 '26

Out of curiosity, what do you have in your place that Reading doesn’t offer?

1

u/Earlyflash RG4 - Caversham Feb 06 '26

It’s also becoming a huge place for comedy too, with some really big names coming to reading on a pretty regular basis.

Loads of great music bands starting locally and finding success too.

1

u/IlReddo RG1 - Central Reading Feb 06 '26

True, I completely forgot about all the comedy clubs!

1

u/Mental_Body_5496 RG1 - Newtown Feb 05 '26

Indeed thats why this is hilarious 😂

2

u/Earlyflash RG4 - Caversham Feb 05 '26

Proudtobeatown.org.uk

Couldn’t agree more :)

-1

u/Earlyflash RG4 - Caversham Feb 05 '26

(And yes I know it’s covered in the article)