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August 12, 2026

Schools swimming gap revealed across region

Good Morning Reading — 2026-08-12
Children at schools with more pupils on free school meals are less likely to leave able to swim 25m, data suggests.
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Morning briefing · 15 min read

Good Morning Reading

Reading and Wokingham before breakfast

Wednesday 12 August 2026 Reading and Wokingham before breakfast · Your Wednesday local briefing
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Lead Story
Schools swimming gap revealed across region

Schools swimming gap revealed across region

• Children at schools with more pupils on free school meals are less likely to leave able to swim 25m, data suggests.

Almanac · Daily readings

Today in Reading and Wokingham corridor

Conditions in your area this morning.

Reading
17°C
Clear · High 32° · Low 17°
Wind
5mph
Moderate
Daylight
05:45
Sunrise · Sunset 20:32
Sources
31
checked for today
Local news · 7 stories

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Icon Group announces three new cancer centres for the UK
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce RSS feed · yesterday

Icon Group announces three new cancer centres for the UK

• Icon Group has announced plans to operate purpose-built cancer centres in Bedlington, Newport and Reading, expanding regional oncology capacity in areas where demand for cancer services continues to grow.
• The investment will bring the Rutherford Health facilities back into operation, with capacity to support NHS systems and reduce travel burdens for private patients, thus strengthening regional radiotherapy and oncology services.
• The purpose-built centres will be referred to as Icon Cancer… The post Icon Group announces three new cancer centres for the UK first appeared on Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

New global survey reveals businesses have entered the era of “measured growth”
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce RSS feed · yesterday

New global survey reveals businesses have entered the era of “measured growth”

• Business leaders are entering a new era of measured growth, according to the inaugural Nexia Global Growth Insights Survey 2026.
• The research from Nexia, a leading global network of independent accounting and consulting firms, shows that mid-market companies remain ambitious despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty, but are increasingly prioritising sustainable, achievable growth over high-risk expansion.… The post New global survey reveals businesses have entered the era of “measured growth” first appeared on Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Bath in 'serious discussions' to play in Reading
BBC Berkshire local news RSS feed · yesterday

Bath in 'serious discussions' to play in Reading

• Reading owner Rob Couhig says the club have had "serious discussions" with Bath about the Prem Rugby club playing at their stadium.

Morrisons Daily and Post Office in Coley set to close down
Reading Chronicle news · today

Morrisons Daily and Post Office in Coley set to close down

• Source check from Reading Chronicle news: "Morrisons Daily and Post Office in Coley set to close down" is included in this local briefing because it may affect residents, records, services, travel, planning, events or local decisions.

Showdown looms over plans for an extra day of music at Reading Festival
Reading Chronicle news · yesterday

Showdown looms over plans for an extra day of music at Reading Festival

• Source check from Reading Chronicle news: "Showdown looms over plans for an extra day of music at Reading Festival" is included in this local briefing because it may affect residents, records, services, travel, planning, events or local decisions.

In pictures: Crowds gather for family fun at Picnic in the Park
Reading Chronicle news · today

In pictures: Crowds gather for family fun at Picnic in the Park

• Source check from Reading Chronicle news: "In pictures: Crowds gather for family fun at Picnic in the Park" is included in this local briefing because it may affect residents, records, services, travel, planning, events or local decisions.

Help create a unique cultural landmark in Reading
Reading Borough Council News · Government and democracy · yesterday

Help create a unique cultural landmark in Reading

• Residents invited to join free workshops throughout August to help paint a one-of-a-kind mural comprising cutting-edge solar panels The interactive Solar Mural will include lights, sound and sensors that respond to passers-by at New Directions College

Local utility · Practical note

Daily source desk

Primary sources checked for today's edition. Use these links to verify records, consultations, travel changes and local service updates.

Resident Desk · official

Public notices and resident checks

Council, planning, travel and official-source items that make this edition useful beyond the headlines.

Official notice: GWR live network updates. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Reading Borough Council news. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Reading Borough Council democracy records. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Reading one.network roadworks map. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Wokingham Borough Council news. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->
What's On · 8 items

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 8 priority public listings from 8 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

Wed 12 Aug · Bohemian Night · Reading Arts what's on. Bohemian Night - Weekly Open MicWed 12 Aug · Live & Love Music · Reading Arts what's on. Live Music Wednesdays at Vino.VitaWed 12 Aug · Milk · Reading Arts what's on. Michters American Whiskey TastingWed 12 Aug · Reading Business Improvement District (BID) · Reading Arts what's on. Reading Dino TrailWed 12 Aug · Reading Museum · Reading Arts what's on. Rhymetime at Reading MuseumWed 12 Aug · Basildon Park · Reading Arts what's on. Silhouettes of SocietyWed 12 Aug · Reading Libraries · Reading Arts what's on. Summer Crafts at Reading LibrariesWed 12 Aug · Basildon Park · Reading Arts what's on. Summer of Play at Basildon Park
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On This Day · local fact

Did you know? · Reading

On 7 July 1896 trooper Charles Thomas Wooldridge was hanged at Reading Gaol; his execution inspired Oscar Wilde's poem 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol', which Wilde dedicated to him.

Source →

Local picks · Amazon affiliate

Local picks on Amazon

Three local-interest Amazon UK searches for Reading readers, rotating daily.

WH
Local pick 1 · Wokingham

Wokingham History

Amazon UK search for Wokingham history using the newsletter affiliate tag.

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Local pick 2 · Woodley and Winnersh

Wokingham Walking Map

Amazon UK search for Wokingham walking maps using the newsletter affiliate tag.

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RH
Local pick 3 · Reading

Reading History Book

Amazon UK search for Reading local history using the newsletter affiliate tag.

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As an Amazon Associate, qualifying purchases may earn commission once affiliate links are live. Affiliate tag: productlin052-21.

Until tomorrow morning Have a lovely day.
EST
2024
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Good Morning Reading · 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
No. 954 · 12 August 2026
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