Deputy Mayor Diaries: Reading Fringe Festival Launch

On Friday 1 May I was lucky enough to be at the Reading Fringe Festival launch at Penta Hotel.  I know that Reading is filled with tonnes of talented people and culture but people still bash the town saying there's nothing going on.  The Reading Fringe Festival is an example of one of the many brilliant things that happen in our town.

I was there to present the prizes for the Design a SuperHero and Mayor for the Day competition. Crazies Hill Primary won the Design a Superhero competition with Beerskit and Anais Buche from Chiltern Edge School won Mayor for a Day and actually had some excellent ideas for the Year of Culture next year (which I will be taking with me to my meeting about the Year of Culture tomorrow).

I was also treated to another performance from the brilliant Gog, who won Alternative Queen of Reading, and Mad Monkey Improv who were very funny and will be at the festival.The Reading Fringe Festival will run 15-19 July this year and the line-up looks like there's something for everyone.

This pic is from the Reading Post's excellent gallery which you can view by clicking on the photo.  Here I am with the winning and highly commended Mayor for a Day entry writers

Deputy Mayor Diaries: VE Day celebrations at the Maples Centre

Things got a bit busy in May - can't think why.  Anyway it's time I finished my Deputy Mayor Diaries now that I am the actual Mayor.

On Friday 8 May I dashed from the local election count, where I was seriously over dressed (I'd dressed for the VE day theme), to join the people at The Maples Centre for their VE Day celebration.  There were lots of activities on during the day with a raffle, games, entertainment buffet and toast to those that were not here to remember VE day 70 years on.

It was clear everyone was enjoying themselves and I was lucky to hear some of the stories of VE day from some of those at the event.  At 3pm we observed a two minute silence, joining thousands across the country to remember those who lost their lives to make VE day happen.

The Maples in one of the councils day centres, along with drop-ins in Caversham and Southcote.