Bringing local people together
Our popular “Meet the Neighbours” event will be returning on Saturday 12th September from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm at the New Hope Centre, 95, York Road.
The coffee morning — other beverages will be available — helps people who live in the area get to know each other as well as learning more about Bell Tower and what we do.
Feel free to drop in at any point during the event.
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 Sunday 13 and Monday 14 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 www.bell-tower.org.uk/hod/. Please note that places will be limited to 12 per walk so prior booking will be required.
These walks get booked up quickly, and we are keen to offer them to as many local people as possible. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
We’ve also made the walk into a 20 minute documentary – you can watch this here:
The sun shone on revellers in Newport Road at our street party on Saturday 18th July.
The party is underway. Photo: David Neale
Lunch was provided yet again free of charge by The Moderation. There was a covers band, “Missing Tony” to start things rolling. They played a broad selection of songs from country and western to the latest Indie pop.
In between the live music, DJ Burt also provided a cool vibe. After a quiz Readipop’s Tankata Percussion performed a set of traditional West African rhythms. Afterwards Tankata leader Steve Southall led a workshop for those who wanted to try their hand at playing djembe drums. See the slideshow below:
As well as saying “hello” to new friends it was also time to say “goodbye” to long-time Bell Tower Secretary and former Chairman, David Neale and his wife, Mary. As a leaving gift, The Bell Tower committee put together a photo album of David and Mary’s 20 years with Bell Tower. Reading Central MP Matt Rodda and Thames Ward Councillor Ama Asare presented it to David.
Left to Right: Mary Neale, David Neale, Bell Tower Chairman Bob Murrant, Matt Rodda, Ama Asare. Photo: Jonathan Dart
As we bid farewell have been said to the 2026 street party all that remains is to thank New Hope for the use of the furniture and games, The Moderation for the food, the band, DJ Buda Nova and Tankata, not only for the performance and workshop but also for help with the band’s sound engineering. Above all, many thanks to all those who helped publicise, set up and steward the party as well as packing everything away afterwards.
Our gardening competition is back! This is an opportunity to beautify your home and possibly win a prize – all you need to do is cultivate your front garden and let us know. The competition will have a similar format to last year’s, with John Lewis vouchers for the winning entries.
But this year we’re holding a gardening competition with a difference – in the spring instead of the summer – so the choice of flowers and the growing season will be very different. We’ll be looking at your spring bulbs and offering prizes for the best container or hanging basket.
The closing date for entries for this year’s competition will be in late March, and judging will take place shortly afterwards. To enter the competition please email us with your name and address at info@bell-tower.org.uk.
River Academy, our local secondary school in Richfield Avenue, has produced an Amazon Wishlist to stock its library so that students can engage in a range of wonderful texts. Donations of books via the wishlist will be very welcome.
Would you like to help? To donate a book to the school’s library please visit amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls.
A huge thank you for the kind donations that have been received already. These will bring joy to so many.
Our gardening competition is back! This is an opportunity to beautify your home and possibly win a prize – all you need to do is cultivate your front garden and let us know. The competition will have a similar format to last year’s, this time with John Lewis vouchers for the winning entries courtesy of an anonymous donor.
Next year we expect to be holding a gardening competition with a difference – in the spring instead of the summer – so the choice of flowers and the growing season will be very different.
This may seem a long way off, but it will soon be time to start thinking about what to plant as bulbs for next year will need to be planted in September and October. Stay tuned for details!
Judging for this year’s competition will take place at the end of July and beginning of August. To enter the competition please email us with your name and address at info@bell-tower.org.uk.