News

Local artist inspired by Chatham Place

Chatham Place has been the inspiration for local artist Henry Steedman who initially took an interest in the development when it first began to take shape in 2006/7. At that time, Henry walked past the site almost every day on his way to work and realised that he would see the buildings literally rise up in front of his eyes as the weeks and months passed. He therefore decided to record the progress by taking a photo from the same spot each time he walked by. As time went on, the seasons came and went, the buildings grew and he found himself with an ever expanding collection of photographs which he wanted to be worthwhile, not just as a start-to-finish-whole, but also individually. This led Henry to enhancing the colours and lines of every single picture, so that that each one suddenly became a credible piece of art in its own right. This subtle colour and line effect also, in some more than others, allowed the pictures to be potentially seen as abstract 2D images.

During the course of this particular project, his photography assignments grew elsewhere. Henry worked for the record label Sunday Best, doing album and single cover designs for a new artist, as well as the press photography. This led to more work with other musicians in a similar vein. Added to this has been much food photography, with related feature articles for regional newspapers and indeed, cook books. To view all of Henry’s work visit www.henrysteedmanphotography.com

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR AT THE ORACLE - 21st November

To help Reading kick off the Christmas season in style, the annual Christmas Spectacular will be back again this year at The Oracle shopping centre on Saturday 21st November with more fireworks than ever! Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis will be counting down to the fireworks display which will be wowing crowds on The Riverside at 6pm with a dazzling array of pyrotechnics and lasers provided by the same company who regularly light up Channel 4's Big Brother. Entertainment begins at 5:15pm with a show-stopping performance from pupils at Starmakers, the performing arts school that boasts X Factor star Danyl Johnson as an ex-pupil and teacher. And there's more - the amazing spectacle will be followed by a very special guest appearance from Titan the Singing Robot! The shopping centre will also be staying open later just for the occasion with an hour of sparkling offers! - for more information www.theoracle.com

First-Time Buyer Day at Chatham Place

On Saturday 31st October from 11am to 4pm, Chatham Place in Reading is hosting a first-time buyers day.

All first-time buyers looking to buy their first home at Chatham Place are being offered a voucher for £2,500 to go towards their legal and survey fees - for more information see www.chathamplace.co.uk or call 0118 959 7185.

BERKSHIRE RESTAURANT VOTED IN THE UK’S TOP 100

26th October 2009 - L’ortolan in Shinfield, just south of Reading, was ranked 59th in the country’s top 100 restaurants at the National Restaurant Awards 2009, which were announced last week. Alan Murchison, owner of L’ortolan, who appeared in this year’s series of the Great British Menu on BBC2, said: “We are delighted that our restaurant has been recognised by the National Restaurant Awards Academy for these prestigious awards.” They are currently running a number of offers including a mid-week 3 course dinner for £38 until 30th November- where you can sample dishes such as Confit of Salmon, Foie Gras and Pheasant.

For more information contact L’ortolan on 0118 988 850 or visit: www.lortolan.com

Star studded line up at the Reading Comedy Festival 2009

05th October 2009 - The Reading Comedy Festival has now kicked off with a total of 32 performances and events at a number of venues in Reading town centre. The festival runs from 2nd until 17th October. The line-up this year does not disappoint with performances from Tim Minchin, Simon Amstell, Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies, Alistair McGowan and Jimmy Carr- to name a few.

For more information or to book tickets visit: www.readingcomedyfestival.com

Award winning play by Patrick Marber comes to Reading's Progress Theatre

24th September 2009 - Winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy and the Laurence Oliver Award for Best New Play, Closer explores the brutal anatomy of modern romance. A quartet of strangers meet, fall in love and become entangled in a web of desire and betrayal. On the surface it is brisk, urbane, modern and slick. Underneath it is painful, sad and wise and keenly alert to human isolation even within intense relationships. The play runs from Monday 28th September until Saturday 3rd October.

For more information visit: www.readingarts.com