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Wed 1 June 2022:
Your regular update from Reading Borough Council on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can help
A message from Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock

We now have pop-up Covid vaccine clinics open near you. You can go along to chat to friendly and welcoming staff and volunteers who can let you know what to expect, answer any questions and help to arrange translators if needed. There is no pressure to have the vaccine.

Clinics in your community in June can be found at:
* Meeting Point, Kennet Island;
* Weller Centre, Amersham Road;
* South Reading Community Hub, Whitley.

You can find the dates and times these centres are open on the Reading Voluntary Action website.
 
The COVID vaccine reduces your risk of catching and passing on the virus. Every vaccine you have makes a difference and it’s not too late to get your first vaccine. No appointment is needed and you don’t need to be registered with a GP or have ID. 1st, 2nd and booster doses will all be available for anyone 12 and over.

Join our Jubilee celebrations
We are gearing up for the long Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend starting tomorrow, and I’m proud that Reading has thrown itself into being such a big part of the celebrations. There are many opportunities around the borough for young and old to take part in this unique occasion. Reading is set to host a four-day extravaganza of events, parties and activities this June, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, including a record-breaking 57 community street parties. You can also join our Jubilee Beacon Trail and watch our Beacon Lighting Ceremony virtually, come to our Jubilee Tribute Concert (tickets required) and a free Sunday afternoon concert in Forbury Gardens. You can also attend Reading Water Fest on Saturday 4 June with lots of entertainment, live music and refreshments. There’s more information below on the events scheduled – please do come along and support them.

 
£150 Council Tax rebates
Around 40,000 Reading residents who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit should now have received their £150 rebate.
 
For Reading residents who live in Band A – D properties and do not pay by direct debit, the rebate application process is now open. You can apply up until October, and will need to register for an account and ensure you have the following information to hand when filling out the form:
  • Council Tax Reference (starts with a 6 and can be found on your Council Tax bill)
  • Property reference to ensure a property is only paid once (this can be easily obtained via the Valuation Office Agency. Just search using your postcode, select your property from the list and make a note of the Local Authority reference number
  • Bank account details for payment to be made to

Residents who need help in making the application, or do not have access to the internet can call the Council’s Customer Service Team on 0118 937 3727, but please note that we will be closed over the long Bank Holiday weekend, out enjoying Reading’s plethora of Jubilee entertainments with you all!
CELEBRATE THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE WITH US IN READING



Reading is set to host a four-day extravaganza of events, parties and activities this June, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, including a record-breaking 57 community street parties.
 
Join the festivities as Reading marks the occasion with a series of unmissable events across the town, including a four-day bank holiday weekend. Highlights to look out for:
 
Jubilee Beacon Trail (daily until 5 June)
In celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, take part in the royal-themed augmented reality (AR) Jubilee Beacon Trail, running until 5 June.
 
THURSDAY 2 JUNE
 
Reading Minster Town Crier Declaration
On Thursday 2 June, thousands of town criers, buglers and choirs from communities across the four corners of the nation and the Commonwealth will lift up their voices and play and sing specially commissioned music prior to the lighting of over 1,500 Platinum Jubilee Beacons. Join us at 2pm outside outside Reading Minster for our Town Crier Declaration of the Lighting of The Beacons, with The Bishop of Reading and two Archdeacons in attendance. Our town cryer Nigel Hopkins will announce a specially-written Proclamation, heralding the lighting of the beacons later that evening. The Minster bells will be rung from 1.30pm – 2pm led by Steve Rossiter from the Minster bell ringers, after which everyone will be invited into the church for tea and cake. If you are unable to attend in person, we'll live stream this event on our Facebook page.

Beacon Lighting Ceremony
Watch our Beacon Lighting Ceremony on Thursday 2 June at 9.15pm, with music from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and Reading Male Voice Choir. It will be streamed live on our Facebook page and is part of a country-wide celebration in which 1,500 beacons will be lit in recognition of the Queen’s service, bringing communities across the globe together to pay tribute.
 
FRIDAY 3 JUNE
 
Jubilee Tribute Concert
There are still tickets available for the Jubilee Tribute Concert, at 4pm on Friday in the Abbey Ruins. The top UK tribute bands, including Queen, The Beatles and George Michael, come together for a night under the stars to celebrate the Jubilee in one of Reading's most prestigious heritage sites.
 
SATURDAY 4 JUNE
 
Reading Water Fest
For fabulous free family fun, come to Reading Water Fest on Saturday from 11am – 5pm in the Forbury Gardens, Abbey Ruins and along the Kennet, to enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments and lots more! This year Water Fest welcomes special guests Prolisok, a London based Ukrainian Dance group, to the Global Festival Stage during the afternoon.  Prolisok will be performing on the day alongside other firm Water Fest favourites and many more fantastic acts on the Chestnut walk floating stage throughout the day.
 
SUNDAY 5 JUNE
 
Trinity Concert Band Jubilee Children’s Concert
Bring a picnic on Sunday for this free concert from 3pm – 4.30pm in the Forbury Gardens.
 
OTHER JUBILEE EVENTS TO ENJOY
 
Berkshire Record Office presents ‘Happy and Glorious’ – a free exhibition celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and her longstanding connection with Berkshire.
 
For a royal experience in the build-up to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the new portrait of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge will be on display at Reading Museum as part of the Duchess's 40th birthday celebrations. The stunning portrait will be on display until Saturday 4 June.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST COVID-19 RESPONSE NEWS FROM READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

With the latest advice and service information changing regularly, you can keep up to date by following our dedicated page to the Covid-19 response here: https://www.reading.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please also follow us on Facebook and Twitter (links below) for regular updates.
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