TWO of them stand proud and tall in Tilehurst, but not a lot of people know a lot about them. A new group is preparing to launch its very own heritage trail and make the village an international hotspot for tourists.
The Tourism In Tilehurst Society can’t wait to welcome people from all over the world so they can explore the water towers and everything in between.
Both towers are Grade II listed buildings, but one was converted into homes in 2002.
“Everyone thinks of Mayfair and Park Lane as being the best bits of a Monopoly board but really they are the best bits of Tilehurst,” said Shane Kersey. “Our tours will let people discover that for real.
“We’ll start the tour at the tower in Sona Gardens before heading to Blagrave Recreation Ground where we’ll play a game of hide and seek. If we manage to find everyone, we’ll then carry on to the library and barbers.
“We’re sure there is a joke to be made about the barbers being next to a library and not a pie shop, but we can’t think of one just yet.”
They will then carry on to School Road, taking in the shops and closed banks. Tourists will be able to browse for bargains before admiring The Triangle.
“We’ll point out that it is not an equilateral triangle, and give them a quick maths lesson as the same time,” Mr Kersey promised. “The Triangle is more of a wedge anyway, so we don’t think anyone will complain.”
The tour then continues to the junction of Mayfair through to Park Lane.
“We’ll bring Monopoly sets for those who want to hold one when taking selfies next to the street sign. Visitors from the US won’t mind that they are being pictured on the Tilehurst Mayfair rather than the London one. They won’t know the difference to be honest, but we do – ours is nicer,” Mr Kersey said.
“We won’t do any history on our walking tour. We don’t know enough, so we make it up after a few pints. But we will share practical knowledge, like where the speed cameras are and when the library shuts.
“We will even tell them what the best beers are in the pubs, and where the bus stops are.”
The tour ends when they reach the water tower on Park Lane, and Mr Kersey hopes tourists will pose next to it as if it is the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
“If you lean a little it looks like the tower is leaning too, so tourists can pretend they are holding it up,” Mr Kersey said.
“Sadly, Tourism In Tilehurst Society can’t take people into the tower as it’s gated over and there are security cameras. We don’t want to get arrested.”
Since launching their tours, Mr Kersey said they have received interest from all over the world.
“We’ve got some people coming from Alaska next week,” he said. “We can’t wait to have a snow cone with them. As long as they don’t build a hotel on Mayfair, it will be fine.”
For more details or to book a tour, log on to: www.TourismInTilehurstSociety.co.uk
