Hi Everyone,
we know that early January and the aftermath of the festive season can make us feel down in the dumps, sometimes lonely and isolated, so we have been in discussion with Terry Dixon (Pride of Reading Award winner) to help bring our community together for a community walk to discover the hidden history of the area.
Terry from Terry’s Reading Walkabouts is creating a community walk for our Victoria Park Community on Sat 6th January 2024. Singles, families, people of all ages. Everyone welcome but pre-booking is essential (max number is 20). If we have more interest, Terry will happily run the walk again.
About the walk:
A very special easy Guided Walk (Tour) covering a Reading area not well known. Boarded by the Railway to the North, North St., Chatham St., & Oxford Rd to Reading West Bridge. I will cover how it has grown from 12th Century Abbey Lands, through Victorian times to become an important residential area & much more!
The intention is to finish at the local café (Barista and Beyond at Chatham Place) – There is a Maximum Limit of 20 people. Please arrive 10 mins early for signing in & short safety brief etc.
TO BOOK: You can book your places via our VPCG facebook page (facebook.com/groups/vicpkcommunity) or by ringing or texting Terry on 07505351517, to receive more relevant information & if you have any questions. PLEASE DON’T TURN UP BEFORE BOOKING IN.
Please bring a cash donation of £5 or £10 per adult & £1 per child over 5. Meet outside Oxford Road Community School on Oxford Road RG1 7PJ (at 9.50am). Duration: 2 hr 25 min.
Terry was recently awarded a ‘Pride of Reading’ Cultural Heritage award for raising over £15,500 for mainly local charities. Proceeds from this walk will be split equally between my causes for the year. From 6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024 these are:
Home-Start Reading – supports families in Reading through difficult times, to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. Their trained volunteers, mostly parents themselves, work alongside their expert support team to help families with young children, who are struggling due to a range of reasons. These might include low mood, depression, anxiety, ill health, disability, broken relationships, bereavement, domestic abuse, poor housing or financial hardship. The parents may be feeling overwhelmed or isolated & lack the self-confidence & strategies to break the cycle. Home-Start Reading helps to build their capabilities, connections & resilience, giving children the chance to thrive, have a happier future & enjoy the same opportunities as others. https://www.home-start-reading.org.uk/
The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre – houses the Berkshire branch of the Association of Ukrainians in GB (AUGB). Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine last February, the Centre has concentrated its activities to support Ukrainians arriving in the UK, while also delivering equipment & humanitarian aid to those on the frontline. Weekly coffee mornings are held at the Centre, giving Ukrainians new to Reading & their host families an opportunity to meet & chat with fellow Ukrainians & members of the community. Additionally, we host regular events to provide advice & support around topics such as employment & housing. https://www.rucc.uk/news
I hope some of you can join us for this in the early part of 2024.