READING Station is to be set upon by a festival of celebration as we enter into the Year of the Rabbit.
Great Western Railway, with support from Network Rail, is celebrating Chinese New Year with a flash mob, complete with dancing and dragons, outside the station as they ring in the new year.
From noon on Saturday, January 21, rail travellers will be greeted at the station by 30 dancers from the South Gloucestershire Chinese Association taking part in a traditional Chinese dragon dance.
It will also see performances and demonstrations of modern and traditional dances as well as Tai Chi.
The dance celebrates the start of a new year, which will be marked on Sunday, January 22.
It follows GWR lending support to the SGCA through its community budget, which is ear-marked to support groups across their network.
The £965 which SGCA received from the train operating company has helped to fund dance teaching and provide a space for the group to meet.
SGCA Secretary, Rong Yang says that she came up with the idea as a way of showcasing Chinese culture in the region.
She said: “With the great support from GWR and Network Rail, members of South Gloucestershire Chinese Association will head to Reading station to perform in a fantastic flash mob.
“There will be a mix of traditional and modern dances, Tai Chi demonstrations, and above all, a mighty dragon dance show.
“If you are in Reading on Saturday, please come to the station at midday for a truly unforgettable cultural experience.”
Network Rail’s station manager for Reading, Bernadette Sachse, said: “Network Rail is thrilled to help the SCGA celebrate Chinese New Year at Reading station on Saturday.
“We’re sure that the dancing will bring a smile to the faces of everyone who passes through, with plenty of colourful activities that will brighten up a cold January day.”
GWR’s community manager Emma Morris said: “GWR is delighted to support projects such as SGCA’s Chinese New Year celebration through its Community budget.
“Projects like these are a great way to get the local community involved and help amplify the voices of underrepresented groups across our network.”
The flashmob event will take place from noon on Saturday, January 21, on the South Side of Reading Station.
RSVP by contacting: catherine.hyde@gwr.com
