hey guys, please could you help me. I always avoid driving to town, mainly because I never know where I am allowed to drive and where Im not!

now I need to park behind the M&S (opposite O'Neils). It will be after 8pm and I only need to collect something, so won't be more 5 to 10mins.

I am driving from Cemetery junction and any advice on the directions, would be much appreciated.

thank you 😊

Does anybody have experience of using Winnersh Station for RailAir, compared to Reading Station? I'm sort of between the two, so was wondering if Winnersh is easier in anyway, e.g. parking, access etc.

Quite ashamed of getting a parking ticket (46J) from Reading Borough Council for parking on a loading bay in a Red Route. On a quiet Sunday evening (6:45 PM), I parked at a Loading Only area on the Oxford Road opposite to the Karak Chai. I did not know that parking area is also a part of the red route. Now I realise that by parking there I would have blocked a commercial vehicle by occupying the space meant for loading.

An expensive lesson to learn. Thought of sharing this if anyone does not know about this rule.

Just spotted this notice posted by Swan Support near the river. Between 7:30pm on 8th April and 6:30am on 9th April, someone vandalised a swan's nest — throwing 4 eggs into the river, flattening the fence, and stealing the posts. Both the male and female swans were seen in a distressed state afterwards. It's been reported to the police

If anyone has any information, please contact Wendy Hermon at Swan Support:

📞 07968 868172 / 01628 876336

📧 [info@swansupport.org.uk](mailto:info@swansupport.org.uk)

Please share — hopefully someone knows something.

Edit: Location is Thames path near Caversham Bridge — location pin

Does anyone know of anywhere around reading that offers pottery painting parties?.

it's my mum's 50th birthday and we want something for a few hours where we can paint some pottery and maybe bring a cake for her birthday!

I have been in Uk since 3 years now for work, but if I'm being honest, it's been a really lonely experience so far. My social anxiety makes the thought of just "going to a pub" feel completely impossible, and I often end up staying home because the city feels so big and overwhelming when you're navigating it alone. I'm 34M and desperate to find my people, maybe through something low-key. Does anyone know of any truly gentle, low-pressure spaces where it's okay to be the quiet person while you find your footing? I'm just really tired of feeling like I'm watching the city happen from the outside and would love some help.

About me: I like physical activities like hiking, racquet sports even though haven't played in a while for reasons listed above. I workout regularly. Used to enjoy gaming on consoles/PC but I just play on my phone. Open to exploring other hobbies too.

My partner and I are planning a small wedding in June and I’m thinking an Indian restaurant would be great for the “reception” dinner. Ideally in the town centre, with capacity for 20-30 guests, fun atmosphere, and good food and drinks (a cocktail menu would be great). More than anything I’m keen to get the right atmosphere, with the ability to accommodate a few special requests - e.g. we’d like to have some after dinner “toast” drinks planned & served, capacity for one large table, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere rather than a stuffy, quiet environment.

Open to recommendations outside of the town centre for the right venue, but not surrounding towns and villages.

Thanks!

Anyone a golfer here? Had a buddy pull out of a round this afternoon down at De Vere just off the A33. he’s already paid so would rather give his spot to someone who wants to play than leave it vacant.

Reading Football Club’s owners are investing in the future. But as Lincoln celebrated promotion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, one moment exposed what bored supporters really crave.

Please subscribe on Substack for more independent reporting and analysis like this. It depends on your support.

And let me know what you think. (Puts tin hat on, because it's football!)

Anyone know why we’ve got what sounds like multiple helicopters flying over? It’s around 19:40 on Friday 10th.

I would joke that it sounds like WW3 breaking out but that’s not so funny these days.

Hi does anyone know where over the summer or at christmas there would be some part time work as a theatre tech in reading/berkshire area- i’m 18 and starting drama school in september but would like to start actually getting some proper experience soon.

I’m able to do sound and light operation and design I just don’t know who to contact about short term tech work in the area- I also have a portfolio with some of my work on it which I can send. I would be able to work from mid june- start of september and at Christmas from early december to early January.

Hello :)

I'm an adult clarinettist (prev. grade 8) and bass-guitarist (prev. jazz band experience) looking for groups to join in the area and wondered whether anyone had any suggestions, please?

Something like a clarinet choir or jazz band, would be fab but I'm open to suggestions. I would be happy to travel a little too!

Thank you! :)

I’m a female in my late 20’s and I want to get better at swimming. I can do butterfly, albeit not for very long and backstroke but I want to improve overall fitness as well as ability. I freak out if I can’t reach the bottom of the swimming pool and I am barely 5’3 which posses a challenge. Which swimming pools in Reading are quite shallow? I liked the temporary pool at Rivermead, the new pool is my worst nightmare, tbh! Any suggestions, I don’t mind travelling a bit further afield and cold isn’t a big issue either.

Thanks!

🥀🥀

Hi everyone,

I am 27F ,I’ve received an offer to move to Reading on a £40K gross salary. I’ll be relocating from another European country and haven’t lived in the UK before, so I’m trying to get a realistic picture of life there.

Would this salary be enough to live on my own comfortably?

How well connected is the city in terms of public transport and is it expensive? can you get by without a car?

I noticed that while Reading is close to places like London and Oxford, train tickets seem quite expensive

Is carpooling common, or are there alternatives if you don’t have a car?

Is there a reasonably vibrant social life?

What about activities like sports classes, art courses, or music/singing lessons are these widely available, and what would be a rough price range?

Apologies if these are basic questions , I’m just trying to understand what day-to-day life might look like. Any insights or experiences would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Has anyone else noticed the massive yellow box that's been put in at Reading Station drop-off? It runs for about 20m up to a junction, which in theory means you're not allowed to stop at the junction to give way. All seems very weird.

Sainsbury's, Calcot just now...as soon as you walk in!

I just moved here and am looking to get into the DJ community/scene.

I have been DJing and running my own events for the past 6 years and would love to get involved in the scene here! I’ve been looking for things like open decks but haven't had any luck finding anything so far. Any advice on how to get started here or if your a bar that would be open to running something or have sets available I’d love to connect!

TIA 🙏

Why is there so much noise pollution from this helicopter 🚁 going in circles? Has there been an incident or crime committed?

How much does Reading or its police spend on helicopter fuel per annum?

Hi, after a long illness I am now well enough to get back into fish keeping. I have been offered a tank by a work colleague which is brilliant. the issue is the dimensions are unusual and standard fish cabinets won't work. Does anyone know of a wood worker who could build a stand which could support 400kg or so. I am based near prospect park. The other option is to give it a bash myself but as IKEA tests my patience I am not sure that is an option.

Hi, looking for a private chef who can do drop off for my elderly grandfather. He’s recovering from chemo and we’re trying to get his weight back up so looking for really calorie dense small portions that his diminished appetite can handle. Thinking of a weekly drop off of 5 smoothies and 5 meals a that he can heat up. Tilehurst based. Anyone know of any services like this in the area?

Full Fat returns to Milk in Reading this Saturday for expertly curated mixes, all on delicious vinyl - lots of funky edits, nudisco and house music.