18 minute read
TARRANT ON TV
6
| NEWS Lunchtime organ recital
Advertisement
LUNCHTIME organ recital will be given by Graham Barber in Reading town centre next week.
Organised by the Berkshire Organists Association, it takes place on the Father Willis Organ in the town hall, from 1pm on Monday, May 9.
Mr Barber will perform a selection of pieces including Whitelock’s Hymn Prelude on Darwalls 48th, Frack’s Choral No 3 in A Minor, and Bax’s Coronation March.
The 45-minute event costs £6, or £5 if booked in advance. n For more details, or to book, call the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com
Plant sale planned for Pangbourne
GARDENERS in Pangbourne are preparing to go potty with their plants.
The village’s Allotment Association is holding a sale of seedlings, herbs, herbaceous plants and gardening sundries, all ready to be placed in a garden.
Money raised from the sale will go to fund the association’s activities. The stall will be outside Garlands organic shop on Reading Road from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday, May 14. n For more details, call: 0118 984 5898.
Four days of partying to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
n From front page
On Friday, June 4, the Abbey Ruins will be hosting tributes to Queen, The Beatles and George Michael, among others, for a night with the stars under the stars.
The fun starts at 4.30pm, and again tickets will need to be booked.
Trinity Concert Band will be performing a children’s concert at Forbury Gardens on Sunday, June 5, from 3pm. This brings the annual children’s festival to a close.
Water Fest runs from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, June 4, in Forbury Gardens, the Abbey Ruins and along the River Kennet. There will be live entertainment, activities for all ages, charity stalls and a popup street food area from Blue Collar.
Reading Borough Council said that in addition to these events, so far 57 street parties have been booked after it waived road closure charges for the jubilee weekend.
And that’s not all.
Over half-term, Reading Museum will hold three workshops that celebrate both the Platinum Jubilee and the 200th anniversary of Huntley & Palmers.
The new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge will also be on display.
Reading Libraries will be running Jubilee-themed craft sessions, and there will be special rhymetimes with a royal theme across the summer.
Berkshire Record Office will host Happy and Glorious, an exhibition devoted to the Queen’s Berkshire connections. This opens on Thursday, May 26.
And there will be a Jubilee Beacon Trail running across Reading from Saturday, May 14, through to Sunday, June 5.
There will be seven characters to find using augmented reality (AR). Details for this can be found at jubileebeacontrail.com
Reading Borough Council’s assistant director of culture, Donna Pentelow, was thrilled with the ways in which people can mark the Queen’s milestone.
“As we all come together to celebrate the Queen’s lifetime of service as part of her Platinum Jubilee, I’m delighted by the wide range of wonderful events and activities we are hosting in Reading,” she said.
“Not only do we have an exciting Beacon Lighting Ceremony and beacon trail to look forward to, but we’ve also got Reading’s flagship festival, Water Fest, on the Saturday to mark the Jubilee which is always free and jam-packed with events.
“Finally, to honour the occasion, there will be joyous concerts over the long weekend.
“If tribute acts are your thing, book your tickets now for the Jubilee Tribute Concert in the Abbey Ruins,
CELEBRATE: A street party in Reading for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2021 Picture: Phil Creighton or chill out on Sunday with a picnic in the Forbury Gardens, listening to the Trinity Concert Band’s Jubilee Children’s Concert.”
And she was pleased with the plans from residents to come together for their own parties to celebrate the Queen’s historic reign.
“We have made it easy for local residents and communities to organise a street party and celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible record of public service by waiving the usual road closure fees,” she said.
“I wish all the communities hosting a record-breaking 57 street parties across Reading that weekend a fabulous time.”
Full details of events will be available from: www. whatsonreading.com/jubilee n Later this month, Reading Today will be publishing a guide to all the Platinum Jubilee events taking place in the Reading and Wokingham areas. And on June 8, we will publish a special souvenir edition featuring the best pictures and reports from across the four days of celebrations. Demand will be high – place a regular order with your newsagent today. n If you are organising a jubilee event, let us know. Email news@ rdg.today
Traditional Timber Window and Door Specialists
Beautiful windows and doors crafted in the UK. Designed to complement your home, while improving energy efficiency. Trusted trader Pride of Reading host Chris Tarrant admits It’s Not A Proper Job in his new autobiography
PRIDE of Reading host Chris Tarrant has lifted the lid on his lifetime on the box in a new warts-and-all book.
The candid autobiography, It’s Not A Proper Job, sees the Ding-born legend recount tales from a 50-year career that has seen him present radio shows, blaze a trail for children’s television with Tiswas, and present game shows such as Man O’Man and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
Using wit and self-mockery, Mr Tarrant recalls some of his behind-the-scenes capers with fellow celebrities, and also members of the public across the decades.
Originally a teacher, his television career started with the Midlands ITV company, then known as ATV, as a newsreader, before joining the Tiswas team, providing anarchic, flan-flinging children’s show for Saturdays.
He presented Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for 16 years.
It started as an experiment, but went on to be made in 100 different countries.
In his book, Mr Tarrant looks back at some of the most memorable moments in the run, including the cheating from the infamous ‘Coughing Major’.
It’s Not a Proper Job is published by Great Northern Books, and costs £17.99. Its ISBN is 9781914227196. n For more details, log on to: www. gnbooks.co.uk
Carters the stoppable steam machine: vintage fair to end with Ding date
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
CARTERS Steam Fair is set to find new ownership, after the Carter family announced it was selling up.
Its current tour will prove to be its last with the current owners, Joby and Georgina Carter.
Once the tour concludes in October, the collection of vintage rides and attractions will go on sale in November.
In a post on the fairground’s website, Joby and Georgina said, on behalf of the Carter family: “After much consideration, we have taken the decision that 2022 will be our final tour.
“After having toured our unique range of vintage fairground rides and vehicles around the UK for the last 45 years, it is now time for a new chapter.”
The steam fair is currently touring, stopping in Maidenhead until Monday, May 2.
It will continue travelling as planned through the summer, before stopping for its final weekend in Prospect Park, Reading, in October.
In the online post, Joby and Georgina said: “We have been looking for suitable land for the fair to be placed on and have talked to the council and other landowners around the UK.
“As a family run business with expertise in restoration and travelling the fair, we have done our best to familiarise ourselves with the endless details of planning laws.
“We are now facing the reality that the best future for the fair is for it to be re-homed on a permanent site and operated by someone else.”
The sale of the collection will be the first time a fully operating vintage funfair has been sold.
It currently has a guide price of £2.5 million.
“We are keen that the new owners will ensure that our beloved collection of iconic fairground rides and sidestall games that we have curated over the years will continue to be enjoyed as an irreplaceable piece of British living history for generations to come.
“For Carters, it’s time to pass the baton and let someone else continue the magic.”
The fair was started in 1977 by Joby’s parents, John and Anna Carter, who wanted to preserve fairground history.
They bought the Jubilee steam gallopers, similar to a carousel, in 1976 and began work restoring the attraction, which dates back to 1890s.
From the gallopers, the Carter family built a collection of classic attractions, most constructed between the 1890s and 1960s.
Now totalling 13 rides, the collection also includes a fleet of traditionally restored wagons, which the fair’s employees use as living quarters, and a Gavioli organ previously owned by Roger Daltrey.
In 1999, John Carter was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, and died the following year.
The Carter family decided to continue John’s work, touring and restoring the fair.
In recent years it has been maintained by Joby and Georgina, as well as other members of the family, and is known as the largest travelling vintage fair in the world.
Under their stewardship, the fair continued to expand.
Joby established workshops and courses for traditional signwriting, as his work on the fair’s decoration is famously distinctive.
The fair has also been opened up for tours, covering the history of the attractions and fairground art.
Joby’s work has even spread online, with his work garnering around 400,000 views on TikTok, which he will focus on after the sale of the fair.
In the online post, the family expressed their thanks and said: “We are keen to spread the word as far and wide as we can in the hope of finding a suitable new owner and forever home.
“In the meantime, please join us at an event and make 2022 our best year ever! Take photos and videos and make magical memories with your family. Remember to tag us with #Carters2022 so we can join in the fun.”
Carters Steam Fair will return for its final weekend of the current ownership to Prospect Park on Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16.
GOING: Joby Carter, who runs Carters Steam Fair, has announced his intention to bring the fair’s touring days to an end, and has put it up for sale for £2.5 million
Joby Carter operating one of the vintage rides at the steam fair. He is intending to sell the fair following its farewell visit to Prospect Park this October
Chaplaincy talk in town centre bar to discuss modern evangelism
THE University of Reading (UoR) Chaplaincy is hosting a talk challenging Christians’ approach to evangelism.
Theology lecturer James Butler will look to explore the topic in a session entitled, Why Christians Need to Stop Evangelising (Badly) and Have a Conversation.
As part of the UoR Chaplaincy’s Café Théologique series, Butler will use his research to evidence how current teachings could “disable rather than enable people to share their faith”.
The St Augustine’s College of Theology tutor believes that Christians should place more emphasis on understanding individuals than the rhetoric they use when attempting to share the Christian message with others.
Attendees will be afforded the opportunity to participate in an open discussion after the presentation.
The UoR Chaplaincy’s Café Théologique series is a platform where contemporary issues are explored and challenged.
The event takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, May 9, at Zerodegrees Bar, Bridge Street and can also be streamed via Zoom. n For more information and Zoom meeting details, visit: www.reading.ac.uk/ chaplaincy/cafe-theologique or email: chaplaincy@reading. ac.uk
WellhellothereandwelcometospringatDouble-Barrelled–Tilehurst’s favouritefamilyownedmicrobrewery.FoundedbymyselfLuciandmy husbandMikewestartedbrewinginourgaragein2018andhaven’t lookedback.
ComeandjoinusforabeeratourstateoftheartmicrobreweryatStadiumWayjust offPortmanRoadandseewhatallthefussisallabout!Welovebrewingsuperfresh andflavourfulcraftbeersatDouble-Barrelled–alwayswithadedicationtoquality, craftandtaste.Youmayhaveseensome ofourmostpopularbeersaroundtown, likeourawardwinningcitrussyPaleAle Parka,orourhometownheroLagerDing! InthewordsofourgoodfriendJustin Timberlake,it’sgoingtobeMay!Mayis oneofourfavouritemonthsatthe brewery-withthedaysgettinglonger andthewelcomereturnofsunny weekendsatouronsitebarand bottleshop-theTaproom.Theultimate settingtoenjoyourbeers,rightonthe spotwheretheywerebrewed–itdoesn’t getfresherthanthis!Whetheryou’re swingingbyjustforaswiftoneandto grabsomecanstotakehome,orjoining usforasunshinesessionyou’llbesure ofawarmwelcomefromourfriendly Taproomteam.Welovewelcomingbeer
LuciandMike,co-founders loversintoourbrewery–somuchsothat we’veincreasedouropeninghours!You cannowjoinusforbeersfourdaysaweek:Thursday5–8.30pm/Friday4-8.30pm/ Saturday1–8.3pm/Sunday12-5.30pm. Andifyou’vealwayswantedtotakealookaroundandfindoutmoreaboutallthings Double-BarrelledwhynotjoinoneofourbrewerytoursonaSaturday?Oneofour teamwillguideyouthroughouringredients,processesandbrewingethos–all finishedoffwithatutoredtastingbackintheTaproom.Perfectasagiftforthebeer loverinyourlife,orifyoujustfancyhavingasneakpeekbehindthescenes!Book nowviaourwebsitewww.doublebarrelled.co.uk/tours. Nowdon’tgetuswrong,weloveouryear-roundrangeofbeers,butwealsolove producingawidearrayofspecialreleasesatthebrewery.Craftbeerisallabout experimentation,curiosityandtryingnewthings,andthesesuperlimitedone-off beersgiveourbrewteamthechancetotrynewstyles,techniquesandingredients. Thismonthwe’relaunchingaveryspecialbeerindeed–TheNumberSeventeen. NamedintributetothebackboneofReading–thenumber17bus.Welovethisiconic purplebus–whetherit’sferryingyouintotownandtothepub,orgentlyescorting youhomeafteranightoutitisoneofthethingsthatmakesReading,Reading.Much likeus,MadeInTheDing!UsingoneofourfavouritePaleAlebases,TheNumber Seventeenispillowsoft,smoothandrefreshing.WeloveusingAmericanand AustralianhopsatDouble-Barrelled,theyopenupawholetechnicolourspectrumof tastyflavours–forthisbeerwe’veaddedatrulytropicalhopbillofGalaxy,Mosaic andColumbushops.Thesebringheapsofsweetmango,passionfruitandberry flavours–allwithagentlystickyresinous finish–delicious!Youcangrabthislittle sliceofDingpopculturenowfromour webshop,theTaproomandfromyour favouritebeeryvenuesacrossReading! Can’tmakeitdowntothebrewerybutstill wanttoshowyoursupportforoursmall andlocalbusiness(andtogetyourbeery fix?)Ourwebshopisopen24/7withnext daycourieravailable,orourFridaylocal deliveryserviceforallspendsover£30! HaveafantasticMay,andwelookforward tocatchingyouupwithallthingsDoubleBarrelledinJune!Can’twaitthatlong? Makesureyoufollowusonoursocial mediachannelsbeloworsignuptoour mailinglistonourwebsite!Cheers! U N I T 2 0 S T A D I U M W A Y , R E A D I N G , R G 3 0
W W W . D O U B L E B A R R E L L E D . C O . U K
E M A I L U S : C H E E R S @ D O U B L E B A R R E L L E D . C O . U K
POLICE were called to investigate a theft from a bike shed last month.
The burglar broke into the shed on Drake Way, Kennet Island, between 10pm on Sunday, April 24, and 3.15pm on Monday, April 25.
A bicycle was stolen during the raid.
Thames Valley Police are appealing for anyone with information, or dashcam and doorbell footage to come forward.
Reports can be made by calling 101, or logging on to thamesvalleypolice.uk, quoting reference number 43220178017.
A STREATLEY church is to hold an afternoon piano recital on Sunday, May 14.
Ikuko Inoguchi will perform works by Jean Philip Rameau, Franz Schubert, M Glinka/M. Balakirev, Noriko Koide and Ludwig van Beethoven.
It takes place from 4pm at St Mary’s Church in Church Lane.
Tickets cost £10, or £9 for concessions. They can be bought on the door, cash only. n For more details, email: StMarysConcerts@hotmail.co.uk
Piano recital at Streatley church Trans movement sends open letter to uni after conversion therapy seminar
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today READING Trans Movement has sent an open letter to the University of Reading following a protest on campus.
The vigil took place on Monday, April 25, protesting against the university’s invitation of Dr. Holly LawfordSmith to speak about the exclusion of transgender people from conversion therapy bills.
More than 80 people attended the protest outside the Edith Morely building where Dr Lawford-Smith was holding a lecture called Who Put the GI in SOGI.
After the protest, the Reading Trans Movement sent an open letter to the university’s vice chancellor, professor Robert Van De Noort.
This was the second open letter that the university had received in a week criticising the decision.
The letter was followed by an announcement by the Reading University Student Union that it would hold a Pride week on campus, including a specific event examining the inclusion of trans people in the LGBTQ+ community.
In the letter, the university was accused of multiple violations of its own inclusion and safeguarding policies. PROTEST: More than 80 students and staff gathered outside the Edith Morely building, where the lecture was taking place on Monday, April 22. Picture: Courtesy of Reading Trans Movement, via Twitter
It noted that the university’s own policies regarding student safety define harassment as “unwanted behaviour that is offensive, or makes someone feel distressed, degraded or intimidated.”
The letter argues that Dr. Lawford-Smith’s position as put forward in the lecture encouraged the endangerment of transgender people by framing their identity as mental illness.
A spokesperson for the university said that “The University of Reading welcomes debate and discussion.
“The role of a university is to encourage study, dialogue and engagement on any issue, to aid
DRINK COFFEE WITHAPURPOSE "THEMAGICUGANDANCOFFEE"
scholarship and discovery, for the benefit of individuals and society.
“We welcome wellintentioned scrutiny of our own activities, and recognise that freedom of speech is fundamental to its effective operation and activity.”
The open letter also claims that Dr Lawford-Smith “intentionally and repeatedly” referred to individuals with the incorrect sexuality or gender, deliberately used incorrect pronouns. This, it says, amounts to harassment according to the UK Equality Act of 2010, encouraging the endangerment of trans students.
A university spokesperson said: “All staff and students of the University of Reading are required to tolerate and protect the expression of opinions within the law, whether or not they agree with or are offended by those opinions.
“Academics have the freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom and put forward new ideas, and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves at risk of losing their jobs.
“Equally, the right to contest ideas, through discussion or protest, is a vital component of freedom of speech, as long as activity is undertaken in a way that respects the rights of others.”
The spokesman said that while university promotes and protects freedoms of speech and debate, the law also places limits on those freedoms.
“Protection of freedom of speech does not extend to allow a speaker to break the law or breach the lawful rights of others, for example by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, particularly with a view to incite hatred.”
The open letter acknowledged that the subject of conversion therapy was a valid one for balanced, academic debate as a result of its current political and judicial scrutiny.
It said: “It was not presented as an academic debate, but as an experienced authority providing their perspective on how the law should be.”
The letter argues that the closed nature of the talk means that the university “made no such attempt.”
“Because access to the lecture required emailing a professor it was also in breach of another of the university’s policies,” namely “any presented ideas must be open to challenge and question.”
Students who wanted to attend, it says, had to disclose “in full their identities and contact details to a person who has leaked such information publicly in the past.”
The letter cited an article from the Daily Mail, dated June 29, 2021, which detailed professor Rosa Freedman’s publication of a letter she received from a student.
After she was subjected to abuse elsewhere, professor Freedman posted to social media looking to “name and shame” the student who contacted her to criticise her own talks on gender issues.
The Trans Movement’s letter claims the lecture had “three security guards outside the lecture hall, who asked for identification from all students entering, providing an additional entry barrier.
“This created a hostile environment, preventing any open challenge or questioning of Dr Lawford-Smith,” it said.
Ultimately, the letter called on the university “to publicly reaffirm its commitment to the rights of all individuals, including transgender and gender-nonconforming people, to experience their university life in a safe manner, free from discrimination and harassment.”
Addressing the event’s attendance, the university’s spokesman noted that it: “was not a public event but an internal academic seminar, organised by the School of Law.
“It was focused on the development of new laws on the use of conversion therapy for sexual orientation and gender identity, particularly in Australia and the UK.
“As is common in academic seminars, there was one speaker, with time given for discussion in which ideas raised could be questioned and challenged.
It was advertised to members of the School of Law, with registration to attend by email, and was open to any Reading student or member of staff.”
They noted however that the university was engaging with complaints by conducting a review into the event.
“In response to concerns and complaints raised about this event, the university is conducting a review to ensure that policies were followed, that adequate safeguards were put in place, and to put forward any relevant recommendations.”
They also said that the university thanked those who had brought their concerns to the insitution.
“We are grateful to all those students, staff and others who have engaged with the University and each other on this issue positively and showing respect for others.”
At the time of going to press, the university is still conducting its review.
The Student Union’s Pride Week event runs next week.
Pub gig will help Ukrainian appeal A trip down memory lane
1kgfor£13.50 500gfor£8 250gfor£4.20 100gfor£1.70 250gfor£4.20
Thiscoffeeisgrownona70acrenearMityana,WestKampala. ItisblendedwithHighlandbeansfromtheWestRiftValleymountains. AllroastedinUgandaanddispatcheddirecttousat H Heathlands Farm, Honey Hill, Wokingham , RG40 3BG Collectfromthefarmonweekdaysbetween9amandnoon -CashOnlyfollowusat fc @hallhunterpartnership
A PLAYHATCH pub is preparing for an evening of music aimed at supporting Ukrainians affected by Putin’s invasion.
The Flowing Spring holds a regular series of Gigs In the Garden concerts, and has a packed programme planned for this summer.
It begins on Saturday, May 14, with the Sing-along-a-Nick trio performing in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Appeal.
The group comprise landlord Nick on piano and vocals, Steve Lester on guitar, and Mister Minch on double bass. Their set sees them play 20 well-known songs from the past six decades, and songbooks are provided. Tickets cost £10, with every penny of that going to the appeal. n For more, log on to: theflowingspringpub.co.uk WHITLEY CDA are offering local residents a unique opportunity to reminisce about their community’s good old days, writes Ji-Min Lee.
Way Back When in Whitley brings together individuals with a shared passion for Whitley’s past. Attendees are connected by a desire to exchange memories, share old pictures and even learn about the history of the area.
Although Whitley remains rooted in its core identity, the community is developing rapidly. As such, there’s no better time than now to take stock and enjoy what once was.
The event will take place at Whitley Social Club and Cafe, Northumberland Avenue on Saturday, May 7 between 10am and noon. n For more details, call: 0118 374 0052, or visit: www.facebook.com/WhitleySCC
