In June, Reading joined the rest of the country in celebrating the 70th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in what would turn out to be a fond final hurrah during her life.
In a month which saw Reading welcome new arrivals from Hong Kong with a Friendship Festival, Tamil students taking their language exams, the best of the Queen’s reign was celebrated throughout the town.
Town criers, mayors and deputies, councillors and cadets all took part in ceremonies marking the Platinum Jubilee, with the town lighting one of 1,500 beacons in the UK.
On Thursday, June 2, Reading Minster’s bells peeled, led by Steve Rossiter, for half an hour before an address and again following.
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The crier heralded the news that the country would be celebrating the jubilee on that day, and notified the public of the ceremony that was to take place in the Abbey Ruins.
As well as the Bishop of Reading, Bishop Olivia Graham, the town crier was joined by a crowd watching on, which included one Reading resident who had been present for the coronation celebrations back in 1952.
Marie Allen, who has seen the Queen’s reign through in its entirety, was attending the proclamation of the lighting of the beacons and recollects the passing of King George V.
“I remember coming from where I worked, which was the John Lewis partnership then, and hearing that the king had died,” she said.
“We stood outside St Lawrence’s Church, and the bells were ringing, and it felt traumatic really,
“But we knew that Elizabeth was going to be the one to follow on, and we all thought that we were going to be New Elizabethans.”
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Mayor Cllr Rachel Eden ignited one of the 3,500 beacons which were lit across the globe as night fell.
As well as those attending, a group of around 30 formed behind the courtyard to watch the ceremony as it took place in the ruins of the chapter house.
The event was also live-streamed on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page.
After a short address by the mayor and the deputy lieutenant, Felicity Rutland, guests were treated to a performance of Song for the Commonwealth by Reading Men’s Choir, who were one of just 20 groups to appear in the video singing to celebrate the occasion.
They were followed by Pipe Major Alan Vaugh, who played Diu Regnare on the bagpipes, and Cadet Freddie Shaw from the Berkshire Cadet Unit, who marked the ceremony with a bugle call.
Speaking after the event, Cllr Eden said: “We’re celebrating, but it felt quite reflective… we’re all distinctive, and we have our own traditions, but we all came together to mark that one moment.
“I think that was really special.”
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As well as the formal ceremonies, much of Reading was swept up in more celebratory events, including the Jubilee Party in the Abbey.
An Ed Sheeran tribute was followed by a George Michael tribute, complete with the Michael’s trademark shades.
The Beatles tribute act also performed, though in a more muted colour scheme than the Liverpudlians originally donned.
The show was closed by a Queen tribute band, appropriately enough, putting Freddie up front and centre replete with a yellow leather jacket and iconic moustache.
Reading’s Water Fest celebrated 70 years of the Queen’s reign with its very own milestone, marking its 33rd annual event.
The Reading Global Festival stage saw doo-wop from the Ding Dong Daddios, followed by Dolly and the Clothespegs, and the Readiophonics.
Later in the afternoon, the London-based Prolisok Ukrainian dance group performed a stunning routine, complete with traditional dress, and Limpopo Groove brought their unique flavour of Afro-fusion.
The Acoustic Stage hosted the Aldbrickham Clog and Step Dancers, who performed traditional reels.
They were followed by Live Looper, who was joined in his temporal guitar performance by guest Paul Hancock, on flute.
It also featured DVI Dolly, Robert Brain, and JAIR.
The Floating Stage saw sets from Nikki Pearson, Matteo Matsetse, and the Rich Meehan Trio, all from the raft on the canal.
Elsewhere at the festival, two separate boat parades were held, as well as the canal’s duck race.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, also took part in a ceremony to rename Matilda, a barge which offered river cruises through The Oracle throughout the day.
A number of boats were moored at the canal, including the Thames Rescue Service, and Brian Greaves’ blacksmithing barge.
Many attendees were dressed in historical and royal garb, including an appearance from Henry I, who is believed to be buried in the grounds of the abbey.
Street parties were also seen across the country, with 57 of Reading’s own streets filled with festivity.
A party in Albert Illsley Close was attended by the mayor and a street party in Newtown brought the celebrations into the church of St John and St Stephen due to a pessimistic weather forecast.
Goring and Streatly even saw a street party stretching more than 1.3 kilometers, including the continuous line of 550 tables weaving through the two villages’ high streets and even over a local bridge.
As well as the Jubilee, Reading also marked Armed Forces Day, with performances through the day from Diane James as forces sweethearts Dame Vera Lynn and Doris Day, the Silver Tones band, and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band.
Art collective Jelly ran a special art workshop with youngsters enjoying balloon modelling and face painting activities.
Stalls featured information about the SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion and The Forgotten British Gurkha Veterans Charity.
Many of those in attendance had been busy supporting the UK’s response to the pandemic over the previous years, and the RAF’s Red Arrows performed a spectacular flypast over the Armed Forces Memorial.
The day culminated with the annual HM Armed Forces Veteran’s Badge Presentation, led by Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, and The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, something that she said was an honour.
June 21 marked Show Your Stripes Day, which focuses on the effects of climate change through Professor Ed Hawkins’ now world-famous climate stripes visualisation.
This year saw the stripes gain international acclaim and recognition, including turns at London Fashion Week, as well as closer to home, such as on a number of Reading’s buses.In June, however, Reading also marked a far more sombre occasion, as it observed the second anniversary of the terror attack in Forbury Gardens which claimed the lives of David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett, and James Furlong, and left three more people injured.
Before a public memorial service, the families and friends of the victims held a private ceremony in St Laurence’s Church, close to Forbury Gardens.
The Revd Chris Jones led the ceremony, inviting members of the family to share their memories of David, James, and Joe, each followed by music they enjoyed for a period of reflection.
Julia Titus performed an original song, followed by the reading of Psalm 23, and the lighting of candles in memory.
Cllr Eden led a minute’s silence before a member of staff from the Holt school, where James Furlong taught as head of history and government and politics, performed a reading of In Our Hearts.
The Revd Sonya Wratten of Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin then gave a reading and led attendees in prayer.
Cllr Eden led a flower laying ceremony, where yellow flowers were laid, representing friendship, while Nicole Grace performed Somewhere Over The Rainbow.
Roses were laid in memory of Joe, sunflowers in memory of James, and gerberas in memory of David.
To close the ceremony, the Maiwand Lion, which came to further symbolise the unity and strength of the people of Reading in the aftermath of the attack, was lit.
Friends and family gathered at the Blagrave Arms, where three plaques have been installed honouring the men.
As they were during the first anniversary last year, a drink for each of them was poured and displayed above the plaques.
Tributes from people around Reading were posted to social media during the day, including from Reading Borough Council, LGBTQ+ support charity Support U, and The Holt school.
Thames Valley Police also posted that their thoughts were with those affected by the event, and to highlight the bravery of the first responders and everyone who helped in the aftermath of the incident.
They were joined by the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which said that it stands alongside its emergency service partners in remembering the victims.
In a statement prior to the service, Reading Pride’s chief engagement officer Tom Price said: “Today, more than ever, we think of Joe, James, and David and their families, and all those affected by the attacks
“They’re always in our hearts, and always in the hearts of the community.”
