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ACORN | Union for the Community opening branch in Reading

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They’re putting together a branch of ACORN here in Reading and are looking for people who would like to get involved.

ACORN is a community Union that focuses on tennant, renter and housing rights. They help deal with dangerous or unhealthy living conditions, with rent rises and even unfair threats of evictions.

They’re looking to help organise within the community to fight back against rising poverty by focusing our efforts together. Nationally ACORN has been expanding rapidly and with Oxford finally having a formal branch set up they thought it was about time Reading did too!

If you want to get involved, or importantly if you are having housing issues that you need help with, please reach out to us and they’ll do what they can.

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Check out their Website for more information!

Acorn Community Union

About ACORN

Founded in Bristol in 2014, ACORN is a mass membership organisation and network of low-income people organising for a fairer deal for our communities.

The idea is simple but ambitious – to build a national community organisation along the lines of a trade union; organising our communities and fighting for a better quality of life. What began with a few local residents trying to tackle slum housing in their neighbourhood has quickly developed into a national organisation with thousands of members and branches across the country.

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They think inequality and social problems are about power. They believe that the only way they’ll see meaningful action is if they can counter the power of money and establishment politics with the power of people taking collective action. Everyone has the right to a place at the table and ACORN puts community organisation at the heart of the fight for economic and social justice.

Every day they hear the issues facing our communities: rising housing costs, stagnant wages and brutal cuts that have starved our public services. Wealth is being transferred upwards, and the only solution is for people to get organised and win it back.

Nurses, shop workers, delivery drivers, carers and parents: they raise the young, support the elderly, and produce the country’s wealth. They power society, and they are entitled to our fair share.

They know they can win because they’ve already started. In a few years they have grown from a small group in a single neighbourhood into a national organisation that is influencing politics at the highest levels, taking-on big banks, rogue landlords and multinational companies. Our victories already add up to £millions, but ACORN is more than just pounds and pence – they are showing that, by working together, they can refresh and rebuild democracy and the fabric of our communities.

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Cheapest petrol and diesel in Reading this week!

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Here are the current lowest petrol and diesel prices in Reading as of today, Wednesday, March 27th.

Fuel prices are on the rise nationwide, and for many drivers, refueling is an unavoidable expense essential for daily life. However, prices can vary between different fuel stations, making it important to seek out the best deals locally.

UNLEADED
Applegreen Reading (Lower Earley service station)141.8p per litre
Morrisons, Reading142.7p per litre
Asda, Lower Earley142.7p per litre
Tesco Reading Extra142.9p per litre
Tesco Reading West Extra142.9p per litre
Sainsburys, Calcot142.9p per litre
DIESEL
Sainsburys, Calcot150.9p per litre
Applegreen Reading (Lower Earley service station)151.8p per litre
Tesco Reading Extra151.9p per litre
Tesco Reading West Extra151.9p per litre
Morrisons, Reading152.7p per litre
Asda, Lower Earley152.7p per litre

This information was gathered using data from Petrolprices, that has been recommended to drivers by Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis.

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Rivermead Leisure Centre’s pools opening this summer

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Residents of Reading are well acquainted with the unpredictability surrounding project timelines under the administration of Reading Borough Council. Nevertheless, it has recently been announced that preparations are underway to fill the newly constructed swimming pools at Rivermead Leisure Centre in Reading, Berkshire, marking a significant step forward in the enhancement of local leisure amenities.

The ambitious endeavor is projected to span a 12-day period, during which approximately 1,700,000 liters of water will be introduced into the pools, laying the groundwork for an immersive aquatic experience for visitors.

Rivermead Leisure Centre, which unveiled its gym, studios, and soft play area to the public in July 2023, is now gearing up to further enrich its offerings with the imminent opening of the 25-meter main pool, a dedicated teaching and diving pool, and the exciting addition of a new splash pad, all set to be available for use during the upcoming summer season, as confirmed by the Reading Borough Council.

Enhancing the spectator experience, the facility boasts two seating areas capable of accommodating over 250 individuals, reflecting the council’s commitment to fostering community engagement through a £40 million investment in leisure infrastructure.

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While the leisure center is under the ownership of the council, operational responsibilities rest with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), operating under the Better brand, ensuring seamless management and service delivery.

Distinguished by its versatility, the primary eight-lane swimming pool features a partially movable floor, facilitating adjustments from poolside level to a depth of 1.8 meters (5.9 feet), catering to a diverse array of activities ranging from rehabilitative exercises to dynamic water aerobics.

Complementing this flagship pool is its counterpart, specially designated for instructional purposes, complete with a dive tower and springboard, promising an enriching aquatic education experience for learners of all ages.

Even as sections of the leisure center are already operational, including the well-appointed gymnasium, forthcoming amenities such as an accessible Changing Places room, equipped with a hoist, underscore the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all members of the community.

Adele Barnett-Ward, overseeing leisure and cultural initiatives at Reading Borough Council, expressed anticipation regarding the impending public unveiling of the pools, emphasizing their pivotal role in promoting health and well-being within the community. She further highlighted the anticipated appeal of the splash pad, envisioned as a focal point for family recreation and enjoyment.

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Symbolizing a moment of communal celebration, children from Oxford Road Community School congregated at the center to witness the inaugural flow of water into the expansive eight-lane pool, heralding a new era of aquatic leisure and recreation in Reading.

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Two chess boards have been installed in Prospect Park

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Two Berkshire parks, Prospect Park and Palmer Park in Reading, have recently been enhanced with concrete chess tables, designed to promote outdoor social interaction. These tables, complete with two-seater benches, create an inviting space for chess enthusiasts to gather and play.

The Reading Borough Council has facilitated this initiative, allowing individuals to bring their own chess sets or borrow one for a small deposit. In anticipation of the Reading Chess Club’s upcoming 125th anniversary, plans are underway to host tournaments at these tables during the summer season. David Deane, the club’s president, has expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing it as a “fantastic initiative.”

Funding for this outdoor recreation endeavor was sourced from Levelling Up and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds. Adele Barnett-Ward, responsible for leisure and culture at the council, highlighted the deliberate choice of Prospect Park and Palmer Park, recognizing them as vital community hubs. She believes that these chess tables have the potential to foster social inclusivity and combat isolation within the local communities, offering a free and accessible activity suitable for individuals of all ages.

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