Tap for Reading extended to boost donations supporting people experiencing homelessness

• Tap for Reading is the best way to donate to those in need in the town Donations ensure vital help to those rough sleeping whilst discouraging aggressive begging Residents asked to keep adding to the £7,400 already donated

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.

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · yesterday 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.

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · yesterday Councillor rapped over bullying complaints • Slough Borough Council said two separate complaints against the Conservative councillor

BBC Berkshire 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.

Reading Borough Council News · yesterday Help create unique cultural landmark in Reading • Residents invited to join free workshops throughout August to help paint 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

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · yesterday Couhig targets sustainable Reading and promotion • Reading owner Rob Couhig says that his goals for the upcoming season are to make the club self sustainable and to push for promotion.

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · yesterday Thames Water 'flagship' chalk stream rated as poor • The firm says it has invested in the chalk stream and water quality is "influenced by range of factors".

BBC Berkshire RSS feed · News and media · yesterday PM asks justice secretary to find way to keep PC Harper's killers in jail • Andy Burnham is confident solution can be found to exclude two of PC Harper's killers from an early release scheme, the BBC understands.

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.

Every Thursday 10am - 12pm · Reading Libraries · What's On Reading. Battle Library Coffee Morning

Wednesdays at 20:30 · Bohemian Night · What's On Reading. Bohemian Night - Weekly Open Mic

Wednesdays in July & August from 19:30 · Live & Love Music · What's On Reading. Live Music Wednesdays at Vino.Vita

2026-08-12T18:00:00Z · Milk · What's On Reading. Michters American Whiskey Tasting

Wednesdays, 10:30-11:00 · Reading Museum · What's On Reading. Rhymetime at Reading Museum

Every Thursday 9.45 - 10.15am · Reading Libraries · What's On Reading. Rhymetime at Southcote Library

Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays from end of March - 1st November 2026 · Thames RiverCruise · What's On Reading. River Trips from Caversham

13 Jun 2026-1 Nov 2026 · Basildon Park · What's On Reading. Silhouettes of Society

Resident pulse

One weekly reader question. This same poll runs all week; vote below. We publish the result each Monday, then start the next question.

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.