EDITOR'S NOTE
Circle Saturday the 15th: Carnival of the World parades down Broad Street from midday, and Reading FC kick off the new season at home an hour later — the busiest town-centre Saturday of the summer. Before that, the heat rebuilds to around 32°C midweek. And if you're reading this on Friday: tomorrow is the Goan Festival at Kings Meadow and Flight Club's festival brunch weekend — both covered last week, both still bookable.
FEATURED THIS WEEK
Carnival of the World — Saturday 15 August, Broad Street, 12pm–6pm, free
The annual showcase returns with the Broad Street Parade of masqueraders, carnival costumes, live percussion and giant animated puppets, plus a live music stage and arena with Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra and artists from around the world. Completely free — just turn up.
BEST FOR KIDS
Alice in Wonderland, the summer pantomime — Sunday 16 August, 2pm, Alan Cornish Theatre at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley. Fast-paced, one hour, no interval — perfect first-panto length. Tickets from £15.05. Book at whatsonreading.com →
NEW THIS WEEK
Sanctuary Café has opened on London Street. The community café in the historic RISC building — the mayor poured the first coffee — and every purchase funds support for refugees and people seeking asylum in Reading.
HEADS UP
The heat is back. After a fresher spell, temperatures build through the week to around 32°C on Wednesday — with the hosepipe ban still in force and the borough officially in drought. Keep an eye out for heat-health alerts midweek and check on older neighbours.
👨👩👧 Things To Do
Kids & Family
Alice in Wonderland, Oakwood Centre, Woodley — Sunday 16 August, 2pm. See Best for Kids above.
Reading Dino Trail — second-to-last week — the 19 brick dinosaurs leave town after 23 August, so this is one of the final chances. Free; maps from The Oracle, Broad Street Mall and Central Library.
Summer of Play, Basildon Park — free family games and activities in the National Trust grounds, daily to 30 August (normal admission applies). Summer Crafts at Reading Libraries and the MERL's holiday programme also continue.
Adults · Date Night
Interstellar: A Tribute to Hans Zimmer — Friday 14 August, 7:30pm, the Great Hall at the University of Reading. The Mystery Ensemble performs Zimmer's Interstellar score and more on a blend of electronic and acoustic instruments, in Reading's most atmospheric concert room. Book at whatsonreading.com →
Michter's American Whiskey Tasting, Milk — Wednesday 12 August at the Merchants Place bar. A guided run through the cult Kentucky distillery's range.
Shear Madness, Mill at Sonning — final night Saturday 15 August. Last chance for the interactive comedy whodunnit with dinner at the riverside theatre.
Weekend Events
Sat 15 Aug: Carnival of the World, Broad Street, 12–6pm — see Featured above.
Sat 15 Aug: Reading FC v Luton Town, Select Car Leasing Stadium, 12:30pm kick-off — the League One season opener, live on Sky. Expect busy buses, trains and pubs from late morning.
Sun 16 Aug: Alice in Wonderland, 2pm, Woodley — and the last properly warm day of the week at 24°C and sunny.
Looking ahead: the 48-Hour Film Challenge launches at Reading Biscuit Factory on Monday 17 August — make a short film in a weekend and see it on the big screen. The Dino Trail ends 23 August, and Reading Festival runs 27–30 August.
🏙️ What's New in Reading
Sanctuary Café is open on London Street. The Refugee Support Group's community café in the RISC building opened officially on 29 July, with more than 70 guests at the launch. Proceeds go directly to supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the town.
Blue Banana looks to be heading for Broad Street. A signage application for the alternative fashion and piercing chain has been lodged at 95 Broad Street. Nothing confirmed yet — but chains don't design shopfront signs for units they don't intend to fill.
Offices in Caversham will become homes. Prior approval came through this week to convert The Granary on Patrick Road from offices to two dwellings — the office-to-homes drift continues on both sides of the river.
🚧 Useful Reading Updates
Rail — clear until Sunday, then westward disruption begins. No Reading-area engineering through the week, but from Sunday 16 August Bristol-area work runs to 27 August, affecting London–Bristol journeys via Reading for nearly two weeks. Plan ahead if you're travelling west from mid-month. Check gwr.com before travelling →
Match day returns Saturday. The first home game of the season kicks off at 12:30pm — earlier than a normal Saturday fixture because of TV coverage — so town, trains and the A33 will be busy from late morning rather than mid-afternoon.
Planning — one big scheme back on the table. The amended plans for 13–16 Market Place were validated this week: four flats in the restored upper floors plus a new four/five-storey building behind creating eleven more homes, with commercial space at ground level — 15 homes in all on one of the town's most historic frontages. Otherwise a householder week: the notable decisions were the Granary conversion in Caversham (above) and a refusal for two illuminated digital ad boards on Henley Road.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Mon 10 Aug: The heat starts building — 28°C and sunny
Wed 12 Aug: Peak heat, around 32°C · Michter's whiskey tasting at Milk
Fri 14 Aug: Interstellar: Hans Zimmer tribute, Great Hall, 7:30pm
Sat 15 Aug: Carnival of the World, Broad Street, 12–6pm · Reading FC v Luton, 12:30pm · Shear Madness final night
Sun 16 Aug: Alice in Wonderland, Woodley, 2pm · Bristol-area rail works begin
HIDDEN GEM OF THE WEEK
Clayfield Copse & Blackhouse Woods, Emmer Green
Reading's first-ever local nature reserve, tucked behind Caversham Park Village off Kiln Road. Wildflower meadows, ancient oak and bluebell woodland, and a natural play trail with log climbs and dens that keeps kids happily filthy for hours. Deep shade on a hot day, free parking by the entrance, and somehow still mostly known only to the people who live next to it.
Clayfield Copse & Blackhouse Woods © Reading Borough Council
WEATHER THIS WEEK
The heat rebuilds fast: sunny and 28°C on Monday, 30°C Tuesday, and peaking around 32°C on Wednesday — with the hosepipe ban still in force, expect brown parks and warm nights. It stays dry virtually all week, easing to a very pleasant 26°C for Carnival and match day on Saturday, and a sunny 24°C on Sunday. UV is high early in the week.
👀 WORTH KNOWING
Eight world records were attempted on penny farthings at Palmer Park. The Penny Farthing Club took over the velodrome this week for a 24-hour attempt on eight Guinness World Records — all in aid of Keep Me Breathing, a charity supporting children with the rare breathing condition CCHS.
A Kings Road restaurant was shut by the council — and has reopened. Anjappar Chettinad was formally closed by Reading's food safety team after officers found a serious rodent infestation and contaminated food storage. It reopened once the risk was removed; its hygiene rating had already been cut to 1.
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