Reading Is Great Town But Not A City

Once again Readings bid for city status has met with failure. But lets put this in perspective, its still a great place to live and work.


Earlier post

Reading has attempted this before and lost, so chances are we may not win. Most Reading residents are indifferent, some think we are a city already. Thats partly due to a bus destination city centre, which is a bit silly of the bus company. Still if we win many signs and logos will need changing, this bus is perhaps future proof.

So dear Readers, cant we come up with better? How about the Museum, with a rare copy of the Bayeaux tapestry. Or the location of Jane Austens school. Where Oscar Wlde was in prison (which still exists). Near Roman Silchester. Or the Abbey ruins (closed) kings meadow baths (closed) both alowed to fall apart ta council. Home to the Madjeski academy? Hmmm.

A visit to smelly alley or the shop "but is it art?" will tell visitors all about the heart of Reading. Or that the bus station and tourist office were closed. Visitors coming by train have no informaion but there is a big pub. Priorities are questionable.

If we are awarded city status on merit thats ok, but I dont want to waste the time of council officials who should have far more imporant things to do. Especially in an issue of such indifference to residents. While services to the most vulnreable are being cut.

So who won?
Chelmsford, which has a population of nearly 160,000 people is set to become the first city located in Essex. It is home to Essex County cricket team and Anglia Ruskin University, and is one of the fast-growing towns in the south-east of England.

Oddly the new city has for 74 years had Chelmsford City Football Club!

Perth in Scotland is another winner and it too has a famous cathedral.

The tiny Welsh town St Asaph has a population of 3,400. Like Chelmsford and Perth it has a cathedral. It joins St David's, whose equally cathedral-dominated houses are home to some 1,600 people.

The Queen was said to have acted on the advice of the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, whose political battering over health reform will be only marginally eased by gratitude from one midget and two modestly sized groups of voters.

He said: "I have been moved by the pride and passion which people have shown in putting their nominations forward. The standard of application was very high, and those who missed out should not be downhearted."

So he wasnt moved by logic, statistics or justice. What a twit he seems.