Community · Reading
Inaugural Whitley Festival to host week of free community events in Reading
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A new festival celebrating the history, culture and creativity of Whitley is set to take place in south Reading from October 19 to 23.
A week-long celebration of community spirit is set to arrive in south Reading as the inaugural Whitley Festival launches later this month. Running from October 19 to 23, the event is designed to highlight the heritage, stories and creativity of the area through a variety of free activities.
Organised by the Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA) in partnership with Reading Borough Council, the programme aims to cater to residents of all ages. Councillor Jacopo Lanzoni, lead councillor for leisure and culture, said the festival is intended to bring the community together to share memories, explore exhibitions and meet local artists.
Festival Programme
The festival kicks off on Monday, October 19, with an 11am session dedicated to exploring Whitley's wartime history at the WCDA Café. The official launch will follow that evening at 5.30pm at the WCDA Café and Hall on Northumberland Avenue. Throughout the week, the South Reading Community Hub will host an art showcase featuring work from pupils at Whitley Park School.
Key events scheduled throughout the week include:
Tuesday, October 20: A talk by the Reading Local Studies Library on researching family and local history, held at the WCDA Café at 10am.
Wednesday, October 21: A film workshop in collaboration with the University of Reading, starting at 5pm at the community café.
Thursday, October 22: A theatre showcase starting at 6pm at the WCDA Café, featuring RABBLE Theatre's production Whitley Our Memories and Rank & File Theatre's work-in-progress, Common Ground .
Friday, October 23: A guided walk of The Cowsey at 10am to share reflections on the area's green space, followed by an introduction to local historical archives by the Berkshire Family History Society at 12.30pm.
In addition to these scheduled activities, visitors can explore a display celebrating the history of Whitley schools at the WCDA Café, which will be open throughout the week. Younger residents are also encouraged to take part in an art project run in partnership with Jelly arts, where visitors can create their own bespoke Whitley badge.
All events associated with the festival are free to attend. Organisers have expressed their gratitude to the local groups and individuals who have contributed to the planning and delivery of the inaugural celebration.
Source: Reading Chronicle · View original