The history of Reading has been championed during a visit by a government official responsible for preserving and enhancing the country’s heritage.
Historic England is a non-departmental body of the government tasked with preserving historic buildings, scheduling monuments and registering historic parks and gardens.
The organisation also keeps a record of all listed buildings in the country.
Recently, Tom Foxall, the South East regional director of Historic England, met with leaders in the town to discuss the importance of promoting Reading’s heritage.
He met Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey), who works as a heritage consultant, and Evelyn Williams, chair of the council’s Conservation Area Advisory Committee.
Historic England is working with councils and community groups across the country to protect historic buildings and to raise awareness of heritage.
Matt Rodda said: “We are very proud of our town, Reading has played an important role in English history and we have a lot of historic buildings.
“During the meeting in Parliament we discussed the importance of the redevelopment of Reading Gaol and other projects.
“We are working closely with Historic England and we appreciate their help and support.”
Reading received £1.6 million from Historic England over four years from 2020 to 2024 thanks to the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project.
The project involved improvements to nine shop fronts and investment in conservation works, such as the restoration of the Simeon Monument.
