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Our Ten Best Acts to See AT BoomTown 2017

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Boomtown is one of the maddest festivals of our time, and never fails to pack a punch with its line-up. Notorious for its raucous approach to the festival scene, it always draws a huge amount of attention for its alternative stages that give it a village or better said town feel and a sense of unity for the festival-goers. If you’ve gone before, you’ll know that it’s one of the most incredible shows on the planet, and this year’s going to be greater than ever. Here’s why:

1. The Specials
Old-time reggae and ska outfit The Specials are just one of the incredible headliners Boomtown has to offer this year. With an incredible array of tracks, no doubt ‘Too Much Too Young’ and ‘Ghost Town’ will be awaited with baited breath by the festival crowd. They always smash it at festivals, so watch out for them!

2. M.I.A.
Politically charged with an electronic edge, M.I.A. is a revelation to the music industry and always makes sure to pull off incredible live shows. From her smash hit ‘Paper Planes’ right up until today, she’s always pulling out all the stops to show the world what she can do.

3. Cypress Hill
A veteran hip-hop act that always manage to get involved somewhere where there’s a party, Cypress Hill are back in the music scene with a vengeance. Selling over 18 million albums worldwide and a whole host of singles under their belt, it’s no wonder they’re the Sunday night headliner.

4. Skindred
Mixing Jamaican beats with heavy metal, Skindred are one of the most innovative bands in the past 10 years. Hitting the likes of Reading and Leeds, they’ve made a huge impact on the UK rock scene and aren’t going to be letting up any time soon. ‘Nobody’ and ‘Ratrace’ are their biggest bangers: just watch out for the most violent pits you’ve ever seen.

5. Beans On Toast
The happy-go-lucky scamp of Beans On Toast is making an appearance at Boomtown, with his acoustic melodies that speak some serious home truths about the modern day world. With hits like ‘M.D.M.Amazing’, he’s sure to find a home with a few members of the festival crowd we’re sure.

6. Ben UFO & Mr Scruff & Joy Orbison
3 of the best DJs around right now, each of these boys have had individual success in the DJing business and will no doubt be serving up some of the best bangers across the weekend. Each with their own unique style, it will be incredible to see the trio mix their talents together.

7. Booka Shade
If you’ve heard Jax Jones’ ‘You Don’t Know Me’, you’ll know the catchy backing track to the full-on clubby vocal. That track is M.A.N.D.Y. & Booka Shade’s ‘Body Language’, a chilled house music track which has gone down as a legendary beat over the years. A legend himself, he’ll be a welcome addition to the festival.

8. Shy FX
Moving into Drum & Bass, Shy FX has more than a few Boomtowns under his belt, and every time he smashes his sets. He’s known across the world for his eclectic sound, and also for his seamless mixing that he employs at every show he does. Watch out for this guy, he’s an unparalleled force.

9. My Nu Leng
We’ve talked about this duo a lot recently, but it’s with good reason. My Nu Leng are the most innovative producers around today, taking their dirty take on house to the next level with every set they play, often mixing in Hip-Hop, RnB and Dubstep.

10. Redlight
He’s been everywhere from London to Leamington Spa, but Redlight will be arriving at Boomtown with a lot of experience under his belt, knowing exactly how to control a crowd. ‘Gold Teeth’ and ‘90s’ are sure to go down a treat, while old classics ‘Get Out My Head’ and ‘Lost In Your Love’ will no doubt cause mayhem in the crowd.

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Reading Labour MPs Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill

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Terminally-Ill-Adults-Bill

A deeply emotional and historic vote took place this week. The House of Commons approved the Terminally Ill Adults Bill—law that proposes to grant terminally ill persons under English and Welsh jurisdiction the right to have assisted death by a medical practitioner if it should pass the House of Lords.

The bill passed with a thin majority of 314 votes to 291 and sparked national debates brimming with saxophonic emotion. It was a free vote; that is, members of Parliament could vote according to conscience, and the party was not expected to bind them. The bill secured the support of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer but apparently was rejected by Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

All three of Reading’s Labour MPs, Matt Rodda (Reading Central), Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire), and Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley), voted against the bill. They may well have objections rooted in such concerns as the safeguarding of vulnerable people, possible pressure being put on those with life-limiting conditions, and just the sheer moral gravity of a change of that kind.

For many people in Reading and elsewhere, this bill goes well beyond politics. It arises out of dignity, choice, and compassion for the hardest moment. Respect goes to those who voted with care and conviction; passing of this bill has been another step toward giving people in unbearable suffering the freedom to choose how and when their life ends-on their terms, with support, been one of the options, and without pain. It’s a difficult subject to deal with, but at its basic level, one of a few simple human desires is to die with dignity.

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Reading Buses Fares to Rise from 2nd June as Government Cuts Funding

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Reading buses

From Sunday 2 June, fare adjustments will take effect across the Reading Buses network. Updated pricing details are outlined below.

These changes have been introduced in response to rising operational costs, including higher employer National Insurance contributions and changes in government support. For most passengers, the fare increase will be minimal. In many cases, customers can avoid the higher fares by choosing multi-journey, weekly, or season tickets.

Government Fare Cap

On routes where single fares exceed £3, prices will continue to be capped at £3 as part of the UK Government’s Help for Households initiative.

Changes to Reading All-Bus Tickets

Government funding that previously subsidised the Reading All-Bus day ticket ended in March. As a result of this and increasing costs, some All-Bus ticket prices have been raised.


Updated Fare Information

Single Fares within Reading
Single journey fares will increase by 10p.

simplyReading Day Tickets

  • Adult: £4.50 via the app or contactless tap on, tap off; £5 if purchased from the driver
  • Boost (for young people): £4, available both via the app and from the driver
  • Group ticket (valid for up to 4 people):
    • £8 during off-peak hours (after 9.30am on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays)
    • £10 during peak hours (before 9.30am on weekdays)
    • Available on the app and from the driver

Reading All-Bus Tickets
Valid for travel on Reading Buses, Thames Valley Buses, Carousel Buses, and Thames Travel within the simplyReading zone.

  • Adult: £4.90 via the app or tap on, tap off; £5.40 from the driver,
    (Currently, it costs £4 on the app and £4.50 on the bus)
  • Young person (under 18): £4.20 (currently £3 if bought on the app)
  • Group ticket: £8.80 off-peak / £10.80 peak

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Opinion: Reading’s RingGo-Only Parking System Is Ridiculous, Not Revolutionary

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Reading Borough Council’s recent move to scrap cash and card payments for parking in favour of RingGo-only app payments isn’t just inconvenient — it’s verging on the ridiculous.

Across the town, parking machines have been “covered” — not with proper signage or professional notices — but with what look like black bin bags and hastily stuck-on paper notes held in place with bits of sellotape. These make-do signs read: “This machine is only accepting RingGo payments. Location code…” as if that explains everything.

Frankly, it’s comical — if not insulting. This slapdash presentation makes a mockery of a serious change that impacts thousands of residents, workers, and visitors.

The council claims the shift will save money, cutting annual costs from £44,000 to a leaner £29,000 by removing cash collection and maintenance fees. But what about the cost to the public?

Not everyone owns a smartphone. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps or calling an automated line to pay for a simple parking space. This move sidelines the elderly, the less tech-savvy, and anyone without reliable access to mobile data and tourists unfamiliar with the app.

Worse still, these makeshift signs — flimsy bits of paper stuck to bin bags — give the impression of a temporary issue, not a carefully considered, permanent change. It’s a poor substitute for clear communication and thoughtful planning.

Yes, the council wants to modernise and save money. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of accessibility and common sense. Reading deserves a parking system that works for everyone — not just those who have the right app and enough battery.

If the council insists on digital-first, it must still provide physical, well-marked options and a respectful transition. Bin bags and sellotape won’t cut it.

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