Climate festival will offer a fresh perspective on planet earth

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

READING has been at the forefront of the climate discussion, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the University of Reading and the world-famous climate stripes visualisation compiled by Professor Ed Hawkins.

Now the town is set to continue its contribution to the global discourse on climate change as Reading Climate Festival returns, bringing a whole host of exhibitions, talks, parades, and events designed to engage with the community on the climate crisis.

Among the exhibits at the festival will be Luke Jerram’s renowned Gaia installation, a globe constructed with the use of high-resolution NASA imagery, will be open to visitors in the Town Hall from SaturdaySunday, June 10-18.

Reaching seven metres in diameter, it will also include a bespoke, surround-sound composition by BAFTA awardwinning composer Dan Jones, creating an immersive experience.

Booking for this is essential, and can be done so through the council’s leisure website, www.

whatsonreading.com. Some sessions have already been fully booked.

Ray Mears will be among those giving talks at the festival, accompanied by the striking replica globe installation on Friday, June 16 from 1pm. His talk will take a look at the world around us in a talk exploring our very own “spaceship” and how we are all connected as its passengers.

Sir Alok Sharma, MP for

Reading West and president of COP26, will introduce a panel debate on enabling young people to tackle the climate crisis and deal with the anxiety and stress induced by the ongoing problem.

Sky News’ science and technology editor Tom Clarke will chair the debate, with Kathryn Brown OBE, climate activist Eleanor Andrade May, and professor of meteorology at the University of Reading

ON SCREEN:

The global premiere of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture takes place on Monday, July 3, and the Reading Biscuit Factory is one of the places taking part Picture: Boris Yaro, via Wikimedia Commons

Bowie to the Biscuit Factory

AN INDEPENDENT cinema in Reading is among those which will be showing an historic performance by one of the UK’s most prolific rock stars.

Reading Biscuit Factory is joining cinemas across the globe in streaming the worldwide premiere of a digitally-restored version of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars: The Motion Picture.

Fifty years on from one of David Bowie’s most legendary performances, and his final as his most well-known personas, Ziggy Stardust, the film sees a full remastering of Ziggy’s final-ever show by documentary maker DA Pennebaker.

As well as a visual update, the film features never-beforeseen-footage of the final gig of the tour, and will see an introductory Q&A with some of Bowie’s fans and long-time collaborators, including Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder.

The film largely follows the music as it was performed on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo (then the Odeon) in 1973, up to Bowie’s shocking announcement that it would be the band’s “last ever” gig.

As well as appearances from

Andrew Charlton-Perez.

The debate takes place in the Concert Hall on Thursday, June 15 from 8pm.

An evening of musical selections inspired by the installation is set to take to the stage at the Concert Hall, performed by James Orford on the venue’s austere organ, on Saturday, June 10, from 7.30pm.

James Orford is the resident organist at Westminster Cathedral as well as assistant director of music at St Paul’s in Knightsbridge.

His performance will include recitals of pieces from Holst’s The Planets Suite, Vierne’s Claire de Lune, Dove’s Niagara, and the first movement from Mozart’s Symphony No.41 Jupiter, as well as improvisations on well-known space-themed pieces.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will also take part in a junk instrument making session, where attendees will join them in crafting functional instruments from old materials throughout the day on Saturday, June 17.

Attendees can also bring their instruments to the Samba band performance, which will form part of the Climate Festival Parade, also on Saturday, June 17.

Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, University of Reading alumna, and climate ambassador

Laura Tobin will lead a talk, also set by the Gaia installation, on Tuesday, June 13, from 7pm.

Ms Tobin will explore practical advice about making personal and household changes to combat global warming and reduce environmental impacts as well as her experiences.

As well as talks and exhibitions, there’s a diverse range of classes and activities to take part in, including a yoga and gong bath session on Thursday, June 15.

Attendees will be invited to practise gentle yoga with the sound of gongs in the exhibition space with Readingbased Yoginah.

The festival will culminate in a climate parade through Reading’s town centre on Saturday, June 17, before Show Your Stripes Day on June 21.

Reading Climate Festival takes place between Saturday, June 10, and Friday, June 21. n Full details of all of the events and how to book tickets are available via: whatsonreading. com/reading-climate-festivaland-gaia n Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders

Jeff Beck, the setlist for the show included hits Ziggy Stardust, All the Young Dudes, Moonage Daydream, Oh! You Pretty Things, Space Oddity, Changes, Suffragette City, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.

Bowie would never perform live in concert as Ziggy Stardust again, and only appeared as the alter ego once more for the recording of the 1980 Floor Show later that year.

From Mars: The Motion Picture is showing at Reading Biscuit Factory on Monday, July 3, from 7pm.

ELECTRIC vehicle charging points will be installed at a Caversham fuel station.

The Motor Fuel Group, which runs the BP in Henley Road, applied for permission to place five bays on its site.

Council officers said the area was in an acceptable location on the site, as it would not disrupt the flow of traffic or vehicle manoeuvres.

Permission was also granted for the replacement of existing air, water and vacuum units with a combined installation for these functions.

The application, number 221842, can be seen on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.

Approval for electric charging Tools stolen

TOOLS have stolen from a parked van.

The theft took place between 8pm on Wednesday, May 31, and 8am on Thursday, June 1. The items were taken from a Transit custom van.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses and has asked anyone with doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 43230241026 or report online. Alternatively, speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Library venue for family tree event

PEOPLE looking for help researching their family tree can attend a drop-in advice session in Reading next week.

Members of the Berkshire Family History Society will be in Reading Central Library from 11am on Thursday, June 15.

They will offer support for people who need some gentle nudges to start exploring their ancestors, so their descendants will be able to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Pre-booking will allow the volunteers some time to research the topics you are interested in.

n For more details, or to book, call: 0118 950 9553, or log on to: berksfhs.org

Sheds targeted

SHEDS have been targeted by thieves and police are appealing for witnesses to help their investigation.

Several incidents have occurred in the Northcourt Avenue area of Whitley between Sunday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 31.

The raids took place both during the day and overnight.

On two occasions, suspects were described as white men.

Thames Valley Police have asked anyone with doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage to call 101, quoting reference 43230237955 or report online.

Safe-cracking and jet-packing: Voco hosts events showcase

VOCO READING partnered with firms in a diverse range of industries for an events showcase including code breaking, safe cracking, and jet pack rides.

Along with Team Activity Group, Spy Games, Synter Reading Audi, and JLL Events and Gravity Industries, voco laid out a showcase of its events and meetings offerings for companies.

Prospective customers took part in code breaking in the Srivikorn Suite in Reading’s voco Hotel before attending a pistol drawing session at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Then attendees were treated to paddle boarding, banana boats, and hamster wheel activities at Lagoona Park, as well as axe throwing and drinks on the beach.

They were also joined by the Jet Pack men from Gravity Industries, who demonstrated their flight apparatus over the lake. n For more information, visit: ihg.com/voco

After a safe cracking session and a visit to the Magical Casino in Cilantro, the evening closed with a performance by a live band at The Jazz Club, a disco, and karaoke.