Events Archives - Page 3 of 6 - Bell Tower Community Association

Newport Road street party 2014

31 May 2014 David Neale

Saturday 31 May 2014 – we’re back again, with another excellent street party for the Big Lunch weekend! The weather was fine, and about 150 people came again for an afternoon of fun. The famous ‘hook a duck’ game and egg-and-spoon race were back, and another fiendish quiz, this year courtesy of Rod – with prizes provided by the Standard Tandoori. We also had a bike repair workshop, face painting and a cake stall courtesy of Sarah from Addison Road that raised money for Bell Tower. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to Andy from the Moderation for providing another free and very tasty barbecue!

: The bunting’s flying, Newport Road’s officially closed, and we can finish setting things up.

: Here’s Sarah with partner Ruben and their excellent cakes.

: The children’s activities get going…

: …and the face painting courtesy of Joy, the vicar of New Hope and her assistant Sarah.

: Soon the party is in full swing, with plenty of lively conversation and family fun.

: Here’s Steve the bike wizard at work (and Richard sporting the latest in fashionable workwear!)

: Andy and his team from the Moderation provided an excellent barbecue as ever (and the food was free).

: The kids were having a great time…

: …but we’re not sure what a pirate was doing here!

: Last year the lads got together for cricket – this year was mostly football…

: …and of course not to forget the egg-and-spoon race, back after a rest in 2013.

: Finally it’s time to take the bunting down. Here’s to another great party next year!

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The great Bell Tower quiz

16 May 2014 David Neale

In May 2014 we had a great fun quiz at the Crowne Plaza hotel by Caversham Bridge – a fun evening with laughter, competition and view of the river too.

: Eyes down for a full house…

: …and a lively evening with over 40 contestants taking part!

: Plus an unexpected visitor (just here to check our answers perhaps?)

: And the Bell Tower brains this time are…Sandie’s team…

: …with vicar Joy’s team getting the ‘wooden spoon’ prize. Better luck next time – and here’s to another great quiz later in the year!

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Tidy-up Day 2013

12 October 2013 David Neale

The Big Skip’s back again! We had to postpone our event until October this time because of the building work at the school during the summer. As usual it didn’t take long to fill our giant skip, provided with sponsorship from Reading Festival organisers Festival Republic, and we had a great bike repair workshop going too.

: Altough it was mid-October we were lucky with the weather. It’s a big yellow skip this time…

: …and as usual we have plenty of visitors.

: We managed to sign up quite a few members too.

: Bob was a great help on the Bell Tower table, and here he is breaking up an old shed.

: We had an excellent impromptu bike workshop too, courtesy of Neil and Gaby…

: …and some satisfied customers too!

: The skip’s getting a bit full now so we’re all helping to load it…

: …and Jonathan finally declares the skip to be full up!

: Here’s a photo of some of the team – Len, Steve (with vegetation from the alleyway), Gaby, David, Jonathan, Neil and Ben. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this a very successful afternoon.

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Newport Road street party 2013

1 June 2013 David Neale

Saturday 1 June 2013 – another excellent street party for the Big Lunch weekend! We had beautiful weather, and around 150 locals came along to our big street party.

Loads of games and things to do – ‘hook a duck’, cake decorating for kids, the ‘me and my pet’ photo competition, another fiendish quiz… Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped set the party up and the residents of Newport Road for hosting. And special thanks to Andy from the Moderation and his family for the free barbecue!

: There were loads of things to do – face painting…

: …and the great ‘hook a duck’ game with the ferocious looking lucky dip!

: Here’s Yasmin, winner of the ‘Me and my pet’ photo competition, with a picture of herself with Marsh Mellow the guinea pig…

: …and the kids loved decorating their cup cakes (and eating them too of course!)

: Take an empty street in summer, add a few lads and you’ve got a game of cricket!

: The Moderation provided excellent barbecue food – all free!

: People getting together and having a fun afternoon…

: …and a chance for neighbours to catch up and have a chat.

: Here’s a picture showing the atmosphere of a great afternoon all round!

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The Whitley Windmill – Reading’s wind turbine

23 May 2013 David Neale

On Thursday 23 May 2013 we visited the vast wind turbine in Green Park. The turbine can power more than 1,000 homes, and is actually situated just over the boundary in the borough of Wokingham.

: It’s a cool and windy evening, but we get a fine blue backdrop to the turbine.

: Local renewable energy expert Ian Gough gives us a description of the wind turbine, how it works and an idea of its vast dimensions.

: It’s not pssible to get inside, but Phil and Sandie at least got to climb the steps. That seemed far enough up for them anyway!

: The turbine’s tower is 85 metres tall, and the blades add another 35 metres on to that…

: …and that’s a long way up!

: And here’s our group, after an interesting visit.

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Tidy-up Day 2012

4 August 2012 David Neale

The Big Skip’s back for a sixth time! As usual it didn’t take long to fill our giant skip, provided with sponsorship from Reading Festival organisers Festival Republic.