Newport Road street party 2023

Saturday 3 June 2023 – another great Bell Tower street party in Newport Road. This year’s party was attended by the newly-elected mayor, Councillor Tony Page, who presented the prize to the winning quiz team. There were plenty of activities for the kids, including Splat the Rat, colouring and cupcake decorating and table football. The weather was just about perfect, if a little breezy as usual. Local DJ Burt was back spinning some great party sounds, and we had live music from covers band Jamboozled (you might spot one or two familiar faces there!) Andy and the team from the Moderation were back with Thai curry dishes. Many thanks to Andy and the Mod team for the fantastic free food, everyone who helped and New Hope and the residents of Newport Road for their support. We’re looking forward to next year’s party!

Band photo courtesy of Claire Thatcher.

 

Our Heritage Open Days walks are back

Our area has lots of fascinating history, and this year we are organising heritage walks around our area again in September as part of Heritage Open Days. The walks will take place on 11 and 12 September and will last about 90 minutes.

Entitled ‘Caversham Road: An area shaped by Victorian aesthetics and innovation’, the walk will take in much of the area’s Victorian industry, showing signs of what remains and pictures of local scenes from the era. We’ll also be looking at some of the original Victorian architectural features that survive to this day.

Further details and booking at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/caversham-road-an-area-shaped-by-victorian-aesthetics-and-innovation-tickets-370272453877. Please note that places will be limited to 10 per walk so prior booking will be required.

These walks get booked up quickly. We are still keen to offer another opportunity to local people that were unable to get on to one of the Heritage Open Days walks – if you are interested please email info@bell-tower.org.uk.

We’ve also made the walk into a 20 minute documentary – you can watch this here:

Newport Road Jubilee street party 2022

Saturday 4 June 2022 – another successful Bell Tower street party in Newport Road. This year’s party was during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend, and featured a Jubilee themed quiz and red, white and blue cupcake decorating fun for the kids. The weather forecast wasn’t very promising but it turned out sunny and pleasantly warm. Local DJ Burt was back spinning some great party sounds, and had everyone dancing in the street to some great funk and disco tunes. Andy and the team from the Moderation were back, this time with their wood-fired pizza oven. Many thanks to Andy and the Mod team for the fantastic free pizzas, everyone who helped and New Hope and the residents of Newport Road for their support. We’re looking forward to next year’s party already!

Newport Road street party 2021

Saturday 4 September 2021 – after a year off because of the pandemic our street party was back at last! The weather was pleasant, and we had another fun afternoon. We had live entertainment from local ceilidh band Left Foot Forwards, and a few of us had a go at Scottish dancing too. This year’s quiz was hosted by Richard and again featured some local knowledge, with a prize provided by Richfields. We had local DJ Burt for the first time spinning some great party sounds, and the Coffee Cube van arrived just in time for us to enjoy a hot drink after lunch. Many thanks to Andy and the Mod team for more fantastic free food, everyone who helped and the residents of Newport Road for their support. And thanks to everyone at New Hope for organising the children’s activities.

Newport Road street party 2019

Saturday 6 July 2019 – and time for another street party! The weather was perfect this year, and a great time was had as always. We had live entertainment from the New Hope Gospel Choir again and for the young ones dance instructor Jo Wright did one of her Wiggle-Waggle sessions. This year’s quiz was hosted by David and again featured some local knowledge, with prizes provided by the Standard Tandoori. Many thanks to everyone who helped and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to everyone at New Hope for organising the children’s activities, and to the Moderation for the delicious free barbecue and Thai food.

Fun for all: Newport Road street party 2018

Saturday 16 June 2018 – another great street party! We were worried about the weather this year so the gazebos were out, but fortunately it stayed dry, if a bit cool and breezy. Splat the Rat was back, along with Readipop’s drumming workshop. We had live entertainment from the New Hope Gospel Choir and a reformed version of the Bell Tower Shower with some rock covers. New for this year was a Reformer Pilates demonstration from Refresh Health in Caversham Road, who brought one of their machines for us to try, and the fire brigade came along with one of their engines for the children to take a look at (and climb over, of course!) This year’s quiz was set by David and hosted by Jonathan again and featured local knowledge, with prizes provided by the Standard Tandoori. Many thanks to everyone who helped and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to everyone at New Hope for organising the children’s activities, and to the Moderation for the delicious free barbecue food.

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