Latest news
All the latest news and updates from across the arts, culture and heritage community in Reading.
More names announced for 2024 Reading Rising Festival
Reading Rising returns for its fifith year at Facebar, once again bringing big names, local heroes, and lesser-known-but-upcoming-bands together on one exciting line-up of alt-rock goodness. And this year, Reading Rising is now a two day event, bringing 4 bands to Facebar on Friday, November 22nd, alongside 12 bands on Saturday, November 23rd.
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Berkshire Music Trust appointed to lead Berkshire Music Hub
Appointed by Arts Council England, the Berkshire Music Hub will deliver high quality music education accessible to all children and young people in West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead and Slough through diverse partnerships between educational, creative and community organisations, in their local communities and throughout the county.
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The Duke Of Edinburgh Visits Reading Rep Theatre
On Monday 22nd April, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited Reading Rep Theatre. This visit holds particular significance as Reading Rep received his Royal Patronage in October 2022, acknowledging the venue's pivotal role within the local arts scene and their impactful community work.
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Reading Rep Theatre Announce This Year’s Festive Show
Following the sell-out success of their last three Christmas seasons, Reading Rep Theatre has announced that their 2024 winter production will be a new production of The Snow Queen by Anna Wheatley, which will run from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 31 December. And this year they are delighted to introduce a Split Ticket system, helping you pay for your Christmas tickets in two instalments.
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Curtain up at New Studio Theatre a step closer after planning application approved
Reading audiences will have the best seats in the house after plans to breathe life into the Hexagon by adding a new studio theatre have been approved by the Council. Reading Borough Council’s plans include a striking new accessible public entrance with a welcoming public area and flexible community space. Behind the new front door, a new studio auditorium is set to be built with a capacity of up to 300.
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32 creative projects in Reading receive Seed Fund grants from Creative Lives
Creative Lives, in partnership with Reading Borough Council, is proud to announce the full list of Seed Fund grants to support creative activities and encourage residents to feel connected to Reading. They awared 32 grants totalling £28,300, part of Reading Borough Council’s commitment to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in creative activities where they live and enhance community engagement.
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Broader smiles than ever on Broad Street for Launchpad's Pancake Race
A total of £8,500 (so far!) has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw 34 teams brave the weather and batter it out on Broad Street, celebrating Shrove Tuesday. The money raised by all the amazing teams will help fund Launchpad’s vital services across Reading. Helping people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.
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£13.7 million project to revitalise Hexagon Theatre reaches first major milestone
The ambitious Hexagon Theatre project will see the creation of an attractive, flexible and exciting new space for performances and community use. The Council today (Wednesday 12 July) announced the official appointment of the internationally renowned professional team who will support this major project moving forward.
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Reading Flies the Purple Flag Again in 2023
Reading town centre businesses are officially celebrating after receiving news that its vibrant night-time economy (ENTE) has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. The award, which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
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Council Successful in Bid to Revitalise Hexagon and Central Library
READING Council has been awarded £19.1 million to revitalise Reading’s cultural offer by transforming the much-loved Hexagon Theatre and building a modern new Central Library. The Council is one of a number of local authorities to be awarded the money as part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ funding pot, announced yesterday (Jan 18).
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Hours of taped talks with Samuel Beckett get new home
Private recordings of playwright, novelist and poet Samuel Beckett, hidden away for three decades, have been donated to the University of Reading’s Beckett archive, the largest collection of materials relating to the Nobel prize-winning author in the world.
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Reading Council wins prestigious national accolade for Reading Arts & Venues
READING BOROUGH COUNCIL’S Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service team has been announced as the winner at the APSE, Association for Public Service Excellence Service Awards.
The national awards recognises the best and most innovative local authorities, focusing on the delivery of frontline services and seeks to celebrate those councils who are achieving excellent results in a wide range of different service areas.
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