Police leaders 'optimistic' PC Harper killers will stay in prison

• More than one million people have signed petition calling for the pair to remain behind bars.

Today in Thames Valley

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

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

Reading Borough Council News · yesterday Residents Asked to Check They Are Flood-Ready • Households advised to prepare for wetter weather after long dry summer Council will be carrying out cleansing and inspections of gullies and leaf sweeping

Reading Borough Council News · yesterday Waste collection delays following vehicle fleet issues • Waste collection delays expected due to electrical faults with vehicles Missed collections should be rectified by Saturday 29 August Council engaged with manufacturer in search of solution

Bracknell News — News · yesterday Dozens of affordable homes to be built in Wokingham • forward sale of 81 homes has been completed at Holme Meadows in South Wokingham, with Vistry selling the properties to housing association VIVID.

Bracknell News — News · 2 days ago How much Wokingham Borough Council spends on getting children travelling to school • Millions of pounds are being spent on providing transport to and from schools for pupils in Wokingham.

Reading Chronicle · yesterday Residents urged to prepare for flooding as rain cannot soak into ground • Residents are being urged to prepare for potential flooding after long period of hot, dry weather.

Slough Observer — News · yesterday Iver bridleway to close for up to six months for substation construction • Buckinghamshire Council intends to make an order affecting Public Bridleway No. • 32/1 in the parish of Iver.

Wokingham.Today — News · 2 days ago Lib Dems reveal Bracknell candidate • Jo Hawley will stand for election in the Bracknell constituency.

Wokingham.Today — News · 2 days ago Two new shops set for Wokingham • Two new businesses are set to open in Wokingham town centre in the coming months.

Maidenhead Advertiser — News · Local news · yesterday Berkshire Pension Fund faces ‘uncertainty’ amid local authority reorganisation • Local government reorganisation could impact cash flow, investments, and more for the Berkshire Pension Fund – though there is ‘uncertainty’ over what the impact will be. • The fund, administered by the Royal Borough, manages the pensions of thousands of public-sector workers across Berkshire.

Reading Chronicle · Local news · yesterday Pub at the heart of the community in Reading back open under new management • pub at the heart of lively community in Reading is back open under new management.

Slough Observer — News · Local news · yesterday Slough vet launches new pet healthcare plan with unlimited consultations • Local vet launches pet healthcare plan with unlimited vet visits and no exclusions for long-term health conditions

Wokingham Today RSS feed · News and media · yesterday The borough remembers: Covid Memorial Woodland opens to the public • An event near California Country Park will reflect on the pandemic

Reading Today Online (rdg.today) · Local news · yesterday ‘The children will always be ours’: Wokingham families stepping up to raise loved ones • When tragedy strikes and parents can't care for youngsters, kinship carers can provide vital role

Reading Today Online (rdg.today) · Local news · yesterday Broad Street Beats celebrates Pride 2026 in style • Broad Street Mall in Reading celebrated Pride 2026 in style with special event last weekend.

Wokingham Today RSS feed · News and media · yesterday Reading Festival confirms another huge Friday surprise • Reading Festival has added another major name to Friday's schedule? but fans will have to look beyond the published line-up to find out who it is.

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · News and media · yesterday Off to Reading or Leeds? Here's your guide to festival make-up (without the toxins) • Neon is on trend, but some make-up products pose serious risk to your health. • Here's what to check for, and how to dazzle.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 12 priority public listings from 12 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

28 Aug at 19:00 · Purple TurtleBrickTop

28 Aug at 18:45 · Castle TapHorse Rock + Aztec Death Whistle

28 Aug at 18:00 · SUB89Meteora - Linkin Park Tribute Show

5 Sep at 12:00Reading Pride 2026

Every Friday 10 - 10.30am and 11 - 11.30am · Reading LibrariesRhymetime at Battle Library

Every Friday Night in the Cellar Bar · Purple TurtleRuffhouse Radio

28 Aug at 18:00 · Face BarShake Some Acton presents: Chelsea "Wild Road" tour

Every Friday through August 16:30-21:00 · Dinton Pastures Country ParkSundown Fridays

28 Aug at 19:00 · Oakford Social ClubTalk In Code

Every Friday Night 8pm · Butler, TheThe Butler's Open Mic

28 Aug–30 Sep · Reading Biscuit FactoryThea Schultz Solo Exhibition

28 Aug–29 Aug · Nature NurtureWhitley Wild Wellbeing Days

Resident pulse

One weekly reader question. Choose one option; responses guide what we follow up next.

Local picks on Amazon

Three handpicked Thames Valley searches for today, rotated daily.

Affiliate disclosure: these open Amazon UK searches with tag productlin052-21. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

A small local fact

Reading and Maidenhead are both Elizabeth line endpoints on the western branch, so London transport disruption can be a genuinely local Thames Valley story.