Towns others make fun of

They hadn't built the second runway in Willam the Conk's day, Gadabout.

Have lived and worked in and around Reading for most of my life and seen it grow from a country town surrounded by countryside to the centre of a huge urban sprawl that has encompassed all of eastern Berkshire. That is why nearly 20 years ago we moved nearly 30 miles to the north west, while still staying within the old bounds of Berkshire.I still visit it regularly, several times a month, and have friends there but when I go there I am always glad to head home.

Since the trains reached Reading it has been too close to London. The town's rail connections make most of Britain accessible by rail. But too many people live in Reading for convenience but commute in or out for work. The Hexagon is a great theatre but rarely attracts really top touring companies, London is too close.

The town centre is, and always has been dominated, by chain stores, independent shops disappeared decades ago. Even in the 1950s when we lived between Reading and Oxford. Reading was where my mother went for school uniforms, underwear, and humdrum household items. Oxford was where she went for anything nice or stylish. When we lived and I worked in Reading I still preferred to catch the train to Guildford or Bath to shop.

Sorry to be so down on Reading. I have lived there, was educated there as were my children but I have spent 50 years trying to belong to Reading without success. It is such a jelly fish of a town.

Oh yes FlicketyB I remember taking all my children to Jackson's for their uniform every July when I think they had a sale on.
The Girls' Grammar school has a very good reputation and attracts students from as far afield as London. Very difficult to get into though.
I agree with your thoughts on Reading and would even prefer to shop in Bracknell Deeda

I've in Reading for more than 30 years and annual trips to Jacksons or Heelas to buy school uniforms are imprinted on my mind! I buy a lot of stuff online now and seldom go into town these days.

There are quite a few of us who live close to Reading. Perhaps we should think about having a Reading meetup?

My sons both live fairly close to Reading. If you have a gathering while I'm visiting, I might invite myself!

I'm all for a Reading meetup Any suggestions for date or place ?

Somewhere in the Oracle, or perhaps the cafe in John Lewis?

Anybody else like me, with a fondness for Plymouth? Last time we were there it was looking a bit run down, but I still love it for the shopping centre and the lovely seafront area.

Bump

If we don't push on with this it won't happen! So, how about next week or the week after?

Loads of places to meet up in Reading.... any suggestions?

I could manage Wednesday or Thursday next week or any day the week after.
I think the café in John Lewis is a good idea.
Can anyone else manage one of these days?

Can't do Wednesday or Thursday next week, but could do any day but Wednesday the following week. I like the cafe in John Lewis too.

Agree number It's run down in parts, the bus station is smelly and hideous, the design of the shopping centre is laughable... but the views from the Hoe, the pasties and the people are wonderful.

Grannylin, I haven`t been for a good few years, unfortunately, but the shopping centre was still OK then. We loved watching young lads diving off the high platforms, rather them than me!

Gorki Deedaa Can't do next Thursday, but Thursday 18th is fine.

Thursday 18th is fine for me. Shall I start a new thread to give other locals the opportunity to join us ? They might not all be reading this one.

Bolton people refer to Westhoughton people as 'Cow-yeds'. The story is that a farmer asked for advice because his best cow had got her head stuck in a five-bar gate. He was advised to use a saw, so he cut off he cow's head.

Thursday 18th is fine for me at the moment (Husband's health permitting, but if I keep worrying about that I would never leave the house!) It would be good if we could get a few more to join us - there must be quite a few members in the area.

That's a good idea Gorki

Deedaa Hope you can make it.

Gadabout They change the take-off pattern at Heathrow when the Queen is in residence at Windsor.

Such a shame that they built the castle right under the flight path I've never noticed much difference in the air traffic whether the Queen is there or not.
I remember being in Windsor a few days after 9/11 and actually ducking when a plane flew over the castle. There was a real feeling of "What the hell is that doing?"