Wednesday 14 January 2009

Reading List Blog Survey

Welcome to the Reading List Blog Survey!

Please complete the following questionnaire (and gain some free advertising for your site).

Reading List is interested in hearing from all bloggers/citizen journalists who have a connection to the area.

Please feel free to crosspost your answers on your own blog (please also provide a link back to this post to discover the results of the survey as they come in and help others add to it).

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Questionnaire follows:
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A1 - Who are you?
A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
A3 - When did you write your first post?
A4 - How many posts have you written in total?


B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:


C1 - What are you connections with Reading/Berkshire?
C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading/Berkshire?
C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading/Berkshire?
C4 - How would you like to see Reading/Berkshire change in the future?

Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?


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Thank you for your time.

23 comments:

  1. janestheone26 January 2009 at 08:48

    Who are you? Jane Griffiths
    What is the title of your blog? www.janestheones.blogspot.com (Please provide a link or URL)
    When did you write your first post? July 2005
    How many posts have you written in total? 1303


    What are your main areas of interest? European politics, Reading politics
    Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? Yes
    - If yes, please describe: Internationalism, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I am left of centre
    Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? Yes
    - If yes, please describe: Buy my book - find it on my blog by following the link
    Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? Fancy rats, riding bikes
    - If yes, please describe:


    What are you connections with Reading? 21 years resident, 1984-2005, councillor 1989-99, MP for Reading East 1997-2005, my children (mostly) grew up there and went to E.P. Collier and Highdown schools
    What do you think is the best thing about Reading? Shopping at the Oracle
    What do you think is the worst thing about Reading? The Labour Group on Reading Borough Council
    How would you like to see Reading change in the future? Kick out the last of the corrupt scumbags from the council and introduce some honest politics to the town

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives? Yes


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    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown27 January 2009 at 21:14

    I have written over 1,400 blog posts on :: The Wendy House :: since the first one in Feb 2005, mainly social cultural whimsies about being an English girl in Seattle, then in Reading, and always in a society that keeps trying to make me into a pink, shopping, coiffured something that I am not.

    Though I do catch a number 17 bus downtown shop in the outstanding Jacksons, a family store with a heart, a bargain and oodles of quality. The worst thing about Reading is its outrageously bad reputation as a place to be with so many people, how did that happen? Reading is one of the South's best kept secrets, as long as Reading Tourist board remains ineffectual I'll be a happy scruffy un-pink non-bunny,

    Wendy House,
    http://wendyhome.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous28 January 2009 at 17:18

    Hmmm, worth a giggle:

    A1 - Who are you?
    Glenn Goodall
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? www.glenngoodall.mycouncillor.org.uk catchy?
    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    2009-01-15 5:29:29 pm - Apparently, but I've been writing on www.redlandslibdems.org.uk for a while
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    LOL! 8!

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Environment and general news, with I side line in Music and Rugby.
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote?
    Lib Dem Councillor for Redlands
    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote?
    My name is on a Patent for a paint formulation, was never used though :(
    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about?
    I've said music... the Chronicle described me as "Cllr Goodall - festival veteran"


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    Studied here for my PhD, and been working here ever since. Its sort of grown on me.
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Aside from the Festival, it has a real buzz about it and I'm close to all my mates.
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    The Labour party, no I jest... Coming from East Anglia, I miss all the big green open (and flat) spaces. Yes Reading has its Parks, but its also very concrete - which is fine.
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Durr... by having a Lib Dem controlled council and MP's... Not very original.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous28 January 2009 at 22:25

    A1 - Who are you? Matt Brady

    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL) Reading Roars! (www.readingroars.com)

    A3 - When did you write your first post? 31 July 2005

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total? 443


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest? Culture, business, technology, sport, politics

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe: No

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe: No

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe: No


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading? Reading-born and town resident.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Proximity to London and countryside; easy access to the West, North and South; festivals; waterways; leafy roads; cosmopolitanism

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Litter-strewn streets; binge-drinking culture; clone town feel in the town centre

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Fewer bars and less drunkeness on the streets; town centre to lose clone town tag (somehow); a solution to end all traffic ails

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives? Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous30 January 2009 at 13:27

    Who are you?
    I am Katharine Robinson, I can usually be found online as TheSourceress

    What is the title of your blog?
    TheSourceress - http://sourceress.co.uk

    When did you write your first post?
    January 2009 – so my blog is still very young

    How many posts have you written in total?
    I will be posting this as my 12th

    What are your main areas of interest?
    I manage my company’s presence online. I am passionate about online communities and social networking sites are a major part of that. I am looking forward to attending The Social Networking World Forum in March to further my knowledge in this area.

    Do you have any political interests you wish to promote?
    No, I’m afraid not.

    Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote?
    It would be remiss of me not to at least mention my fabulous employers, EcoSearch. EcoSearch are Specialist Head hunters in the Renewable Energy industry. I am proud to be a part of a team that is so passionate about their market sector. I am also eternally grateful to them for paying me to spend my days on the internet!

    Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about?
    I should warn you that I tend to ramble on my blog and in my twitter stream about all sorts of stuff. In addition to interesting web snippets, I might mention knitting, various sci-fi and cult TV programmes, go-kart racing or eating out. I think that covers my main areas of interest.

    What are you connections with Reading?
    I studied for my degree in Maths and Physics at The University of Reading and still live in Berkshire. I met my husband in Reading in 2004.

    What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Reading manages to maintain a Local feel of community but have all the benefits of living in a city. It is well connected to the rest of the country by the railway and the M4. My fascination with Wind energy means that I like the 1.5 MW Turbine on Green Park near Junction 11.

    What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    The one-way system was always a nightmare – I tried to learn to drive in Reading and it was a challenge.

    How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    I couldn’t think of a concrete answer so I asked the hubby – he said that the Royals need to get back into the Premier League so that he can go and watch them play Manchester United (he’s a Mancunian). I think change is important. As long as Reading continues to evolve in positive ways, I will be happy.


    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
    Of Course!

    ReplyDelete
  6. z0man31 January 2009 at 18:50

    Hi my name is Paul Burden and this is my survey

    ReplyDelete
  7. Adrian Windisch4 February 2009 at 21:20

    A1. Adrian Windisch, Candidate for Reading West for the Green Party
    A2. http://greenreading.blogspot.com/
    A3. Jan 2007 first post
    A4.400 posts
    B1. Environment, construction, transport
    B2. Green Party
    B3. No
    B4. No
    C1. Lived in Reading for 8 years.
    C2. Location, good transport links, cheaper to buy than London.
    Great people, a town small enough that you can make a diference.
    C4. Cycle paths, cheaper public transport, healthy community and independent shops.
    C5. Perhaps.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rob White5 February 2009 at 10:51

    Click here for my response.

    Rob white -- Green Party

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mark Thompson5 February 2009 at 15:24

    A1 - Who are you?
    Mark Thompson

    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    http://markreckons.blogspot.com/

    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    6th October 2007 – although I didn’t get properly active until 23rd November 2008

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    55

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Electoral reform, Evidence Based Policy for things like drugs, Green and environmental issues, Keeping an eye on the political classes!

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    Only those listed above really.

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    Yes – my company Southfacing Services (http://www.southfacing.co.uk/) works in the field of energy efficient buildings and computer software.

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    I am a big fan of older TV from the 70s and 80s mainly. Most of the stuff that is covered by the “TV Cream Era” (see http://tv.cream.org/ for details of what this means), especially things like Survivors, Day of the Triffids, Blakes 7, The Prisoner etc.


    C1 - What are your connections with Reading?
    I used to live in Lower Earley (2000-2001) and also right next to the Oracle on that new estate in the centre (2002-2003). My company has its offices in Berkshire House on King’s Rd.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    There is a lot going on and it has a vibrant centre. It is also very easy to travel to other places with Reading Station being one of the main interchanges in the country. The Majedski stadium is a great sporting venue.

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Some areas are not great and there is often a too much traffic with the attendant pollution.

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    I think more initiatives to keep Reading tidy and also to reduce the amount driving in and out of the town would be good.

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
    Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous8 February 2009 at 17:46

    A1 - Matt Blackall
    A2 - The Mysterious World of Matt Blackall: www.mattblackall.co.uk
    A3 - 10 June 2008
    A4 - 25


    B1 - The environment, human rights, politics
    B2 - I believe in complete nationalisation of the banks and energy companies (including oil) and a complete overhaul of Britains transport system.
    B3 - Nope
    B4 - I am an avid petanque player- find out about petanque, it is actually a really fun game.


    C1 - I was born in Reading, and apart from the years i was at university, i have lived here all my life
    C2 - I like where my home is in Reading
    C3 - There isn't enough to do
    C4 - An ice rink and its own ice hockey team for one, a bigger investment in cycling, converting unused office space into apartments

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous9 February 2009 at 14:51

    A1 - Who are you?
    diaphania

    A2 - What is the title of your blog?
    diaphania http://diaphania.blogspirit.com/archives/tag/local%20life.html

    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    About 5 years ago

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    124

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Local life, art and design, politics, society, environment

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    Lived just outside in South Oxon for 40+ years

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Its location: by the river, surrounded by fine countryside, yet close to London

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Excessive growth promoted without appropriate infrastructure

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Some more pro-environmental measures: restrict growth, pro pedestrian and cyclist

    ReplyDelete
  12. Paul Coombes2 March 2009 at 10:46

    Who are you?
    Paul Coombes

    What is the title of your blog?
    Grasp the Mettle to be found at http://graspthemettle.blogspot.com

    When did you write your first post?
    19th November 2008

    How many posts have you written in total?
    44 so far which is one every 2.3 days.

    What are your main areas of interest?
    Anything of topical interest particularly national and European politics.

    Do you have any political interests you wish to promote?
    I want illustrate the erosion of individual rights and the lack of democracy with the EU.

    Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote?
    No.

    Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about?
    I am keen that people enjoy science, and mathematics in particular, so these topics do turn up in the occasional entry.

    What are you connections with Reading?
    I moved here in 1989, both of my children were born here and both go to secondary school here.

    What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Its proximity to London and its proximity to the countryside.

    What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Its traffic problems.

    How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Reading needs to capitalise on the success of the Oracle. TO this end it needs to sort out cemetery junction. A dual carriageway across the actual cemetery would be a start.

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
    Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11 March 2009 at 16:42

    A1 - Who are you? Steven Woodgate
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? http://sportminded.blogspot.com/
    A3 - When did you write your first post? January 2008
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    160


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest? Mainly Sport
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? The Implications of Sport in the country i.e. Olympics, national prestige

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? Not particularly

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? No specifics


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    Born and Raised
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    The Community feel is some districts and the Reading Festival to keep our profile high on the agenda
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    The old IDR, hardly attractive as well as poor road structure especially to North Reading
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Become more environmentally friendly and place more emphasis in raising the attractiveness of the town

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous24 March 2009 at 19:11

    A1 - Who are you?
    :: Mike McNamara

    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    :: Beasley's Place (http://beasleysplace.blogspot.com/)

    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    :: January 2006

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    :: 467


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Generally anything that takes my fancy, but looking back over the posts, I'd say in no particular order: Loss of Civil Liberties, The descent of the UK into a surveillance society, Government overspending, Broadband Speed, Technology, Injustice, The Royal Navy, Freedom of Information, Publishing.

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    :: No big political agenda. Like keeping an eye on general politics such as the latest round of which politicians spent how much on what expenses and why, it gets my blood boiling and why 'we' seem unable to stop the increased use of government personal databases and CCTV to spy on us. Keen promoter of telling people how to write to their own MP/check on their own MP, it's amazing how many still don't know how to?

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    :: Run an IT consultancy focused on Publishing Technology and its use, XML and all that!!! (Now what is that acronym?)

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    :: I worked on my first computer in 1964, yes I am that old! and I still remain fascinated by technology and its varied use in today's society. I also remain interested in Space and all its aspects from Sci-Fi to Astronomy.


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    :: Moved here in 1984 from Worcester to take up a new job at a publishing software reseller in Slough, before DTP even!!!

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    :: Proximity to London and the South of England with reasonable travel links. Good shopping facilities, but I really don't!!

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    :: The noise that the M4 makes when the wind blows fro the South!!!! The ever increasing traffic and Readings inability to sort/deal with it!

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    :: Improve recycling, Get rid of litter - more waste bins that get emptied. More publications of whats going on for people without the Internet - more public Notice boards. More recitals on the Reading Town Hall Organ!!!

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
    :: Yes

    ReplyDelete
  15. James Gurd27 March 2009 at 09:11

    A1 - Who are you?
    James Gurd, eCommerce Consultant at leading eCommerce agency e-inbusiness
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    The rise and rise of social media in the UK
    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    November 2008
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    15 and rising - currently a weekly blog. I might go daily if I perceive the value in the additional content


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    In relation to online and my blog, ecommerce, eMarketing, social media, customer engagement
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    No - I am the least political person I know! Consider me disenchanted
    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    Yes - I work for an eCommerce and eMarketing agency and my aim is to raise both mine and my company's profile online
    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    Plenty of interest but i'm not going to bore people online


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    None apart from the fact my cousin supports Reading FC
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Do not know the town
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    As above
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    More people from Reading use our services!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous27 March 2009 at 13:08

    A1 - Who are you? Elizabeth Thomas

    A2 - What is the title of your blog?
    Want to be a Free Thinker but still a nice person
    www.elizabethscanlonthomas.com

    A3 - When did you write your first post? 2007

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    approx 500

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Being an American living in England, American politics, religion.

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    I married an English guy and have lived her for over 15 years, and had two kids on the NHS. :)

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    the grammar schools

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    the traffic and the weather

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?

    I would like to move away someday -- that's the change I have in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Steve Borthwick30 March 2009 at 11:31

    A1 - Who are you?
    ->Steve Borthwick
    A2 - What is the title of your blog?
    -> NAWS http://borthwis.blogspot.com/
    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    -> 2006
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    -> ~ 100

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    -> Varied but mainly Science, Atheism, Food & Wine, Life & all the intersections etc.
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    -> I’m very keen on secularism, i.e. separation of church and state, also keen to see science education promoted more.
    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    -> I’m also interested in discussing fine wine, software, music and evolutionary biology (bizarre combination I know, but all good brain food)

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    -> I live and work in the area
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    -> It’s not Bath or London but it’s got most things you need, plus it’s at the heart of Silicon Valley UK!
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    -> Traffic
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    -> Sort the infrastructure out, i.e. an eco-friendly tram system would be nice

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous4 April 2009 at 16:10

    A1 - Who are you?

    I'm Jonathan. I'm 35 and live and work in Reading.

    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)

    Beer Bulbs and Bisuits http://beerbulbsbiscuits.wordpress.com/

    A3 - When did you write your first post?

    July 31st 2008.

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?

    3!

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?

    Local history, human rights, animal rights, listening to and playing music badly!

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:

    I am completely apolitical. We have the illusion of a democracy but it doesn't matter where you place your tick you get the same old bunch of crooks and sheisters who promise the earth yet deliver nothing. The comedian Billy Connolly once said "the desire to be a politician should preclude you from ever being one." I wholeheartedly agree. The only people they serve are themselves.

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:

    Check out the shops in the Harris Arcade, they come in all shapes and sizes yet retain a sense of individuality, which is being lost left right and centre all over the land, not just in Reading.

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:

    People like to diss Reading but it's not a bad place to live, all in all.

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?

    I was born here and I've lived most of my life here save for spells in Brighton and Australia.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?

    There is a rich and varied history in Reading which can be evidenced all around. Next time you walk through the town centre, look up at the buildings instead of just walking about observing life at eye level. It may surprise you.

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?

    It has become more dog-eat-dog in terms of mentality, if the recession does nothing other than foster a great sense of community cohesion then it will have been worth it.

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?

    Reading, like any large town, will grow and progress in its own way and find its own identity. Some of the change will be for the better and some for the worse but that's part and parcel of change. That was a politician's answer wasn't it? *smile*

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?

    Yes of course!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nowtas16 April 2009 at 13:44

    A1 - Who are you?
    Nowtas / Andrew. I'm 31 and live in Reading.

    A2 – What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)

    Owt4Nowt - http://nowtas.blogspot.com/
    Bullets In briefs - http://bulletsinbriefs.blogspot.com/

    And yes - they are still very much in development…

    A3 - When did you write your first post?

    This month (my blogs) or circa 1998 (elsewhere).

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?

    Four (my blogs) or several thousand (elsewhere).

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?

    Film history; film criticism; film architecture; modernists; various European fictional detectives, copies of Take A Break or Hello! left on trains; Pompey FC; a gentle stroking of my back; fine food and drink; cigarettes and alcohol. I work in procurement – so I should probably consider that an interest. Also, I try my best to be a friendly sort but there are times when I just have to spend some time being a complete bitch.

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:

    Nah – I’m a liberal with occasional lefty leanings.

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:

    Nah – I’m public sector.

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:

    I am a member of the BFI, and I used to be a member of Amnesty International until they started hounding me (despite my requests that they respect my rights and stop sending me details of other causes).

    Can I use this space to talk up Popsyndicate.com please? For anyone into anything just off mainstream popular culture, it is a fine website and I have made many, many wonderful cyber friends over there. Oh, and if life is ever getting me down, I find failblog.org, or SGA (Stupid Gameshow Answers) or The Cinema Snob on Youtube help keep me going. That, or the comments sections of the Reading Evening Post website.

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?

    A few friends, my other half, my current job and home. I moved here on the basis of just knowing two local people, one who sorted me with somewhere to live in the short-term and one who got me temporary work. I had no other reason to come here. When I leave, I could have a fun day back in Reading once every couple of years, but more frequent visits would just be depressing. There is very little I genuinely love about the town, and I think I was a little spoilt in that I moved here from Derby – and I frisky love Derby.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?

    The businesses that bring something unique to the town – Moondogs, Godpoda, RISC, LSB, But Is It Art?, etc. There is getting to be a population passionate for the town to stand out for more than it currently is, which is encouraging to see develop.

    There are, as the leading Labour “thinkers” in the town so rightly pointed out recently, a great many places of loveliness surrounding Reading. It is a town which offers a great opportunity to catch a train to a large number of other locations quickly and directly – a commuter town in the fun, rather than just business, sense of the term.

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?

    For Reading West, it is their MP being ridiculed on a national scale yet supported as “one of us” by some people with no understanding of what goes on around them or where Martin Salter actually comes from. Sorry – but he is a source of great humour for friends of mine in Chester, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Bristol…I simply cannot get my head around the pride some people take in his representing them. He is probably quite a nice bloke, but he is a terrible MP.

    For Reading East, it is their MP being instantly forgettable and offering none of the drama of years gone by. Yawn. Still, he is a constructive thinker towards local development, and must just wish the council would be less obstructive than is currently the case.

    Taking the town as a whole, Reading is a culture disaster. Every attempt to give voices to new and developing communities within the town are met with a small pat on the back and bugger all useful support. Reading pride (with it’s feet on backwards…) offers a stubborn denial that it would be another Havant if half a dozen IT companies and a few hundred eastern Europeans had found somewhere better to locate over the last quarter of a century.

    There is a worrying obsession with building more hotels whilst failing to recognise tourists like to visit places of interest. I have yet to meet anyone that enjoys the ongoing attempts to isolate everything vaguely cultural to one location. The Town Hall is a nice building with some space for some displays – it really isn’t, nor will it ever be, a suitable draw for visitors. One Vue cinema and the occasional flick at the Uni or Town Hall makes it a pretty bland town for movies. The Wetherspoons pubs (the most deliberately boring and soulless chain of pubs in the UK, and Reading has three in the centre and a couple more in the suburbs – speaks volumes).

    Then there are the chain pubs and shops, the traffic issues, the costly and poorly managed buses, the ill-advised air of superiority around so many of the current councillors, the ignorance of the local press, the demented obsession so many people have with referring to Reading as a city rather than as a town, the douche-nozzles that catch trains to London each day but have never understood manners or personal space, the appearance and, on occasion, the smell.

    The town has improved greatly over the last decade though. I’m not a complete hater and I do see that some things have changed.

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?

    By fading into the distance. Or, by learning to embrace change for more than purely financial reasons.

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?

    OK. Sounds like fun. But I put out on the second date so watch yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Rock God13 July 2009 at 13:44

    A1 - Who are you?
    John Oakley (post as The Rock God)
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    www.rockgodz666.com
    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    gosh, august 2008
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    about 93?

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Music (rock and metal), Business, Leadership, education, online learning tech.
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    Not that I wish to promote. I'm a green/lib dem middle of the road type! Not a political blogger!

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    No but I'd be keen to hear from people who can give time to speak to young people about their business skills (as I programme lead the BTEC National Business course (l3 specialist business course) at TVU (Reading college).

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    Music Music Music!! and the music biz! Also a keen cyclist...

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    Moved here in 89, met my missus and stayed here ever since! Work at the FE college.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Being close to London and its transport links! actually I love the canal too.

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Poor cycle routes down Oxford road and tilehurst road. Mad bus drivers!
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?

    If I can, I'm more national in my coverage tho!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Maggie21 December 2009 at 09:00

    A1 - Who are you?
    Maggie Berney, owner of Maggie Berney Office Services

    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    http://maggieberney.wordpress.com/

    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    About two weeks ago.

    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    Three.

    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    I'm a virtual assistant and blog about aspects of my work.

    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    No.

    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    I run my own va business, and that's really what the blog is promoting.

    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    I'm also involved in running Wokingham Woodcraft Folk, a young people's organisation linked to the co-operative movement.

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    I live and work in Wokingham.

    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    The people - obviously!

    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    The roads and the cars. I try and avoid driving in town if I can.

    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    More visitor attractions other than the shops/restaurants/pubs.

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives?
    Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Steve21 December 2009 at 10:39

    A1 - Who are you? Steve Blethyn, Mountaineer, Adventurer, and Wilderness Medic
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? Steve's News http://blethyn.blogspot.com/
    A3 - When did you write your first post? 10/08/07 but only seriously since 2009
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total? Over 200 but I've deleted a few and some have moved elsewhere


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest? Mountains, Medicine, Motivation and the occasional mention of Mutts.
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe: No Politics for me thank you
    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe: You'll need to take a look at my website and decide for yourself http://www.steveblethyn.co.uk but I'm a first aider available for private functions, concerts, school fete's etc. I also teach first aid and wilderness medicine.
    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe: I am actively raising awareness to the fact that there are not enough people in our area who know what to do in a medical emergency. I don't want paramedics on every street corner (although it would be good) What I want is to teach people basic first aid so that this... http://tinyurl.com/yd4e855 ...never happens again. "Don't wait for your boss to send you on a first aid course, your loved one's may need your help tonight"


    C1 - What are you connections with Reading? Live, work, blog, twitter and save lives in Reading
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading? It's community spirit (usually) 107fm, London Irish and the Royals. (and the Royal Berks aint bad really)
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading? Crime, drugs and hooligans
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future? More of C2 and less of C3

    Would you be interested in participating in future Reading List Blog Network initiatives? Why not, I'm game for a laugh

    ReplyDelete
  23. Left Outside3 January 2010 at 17:09

    A1 - Who are you?
    Left Outside, I have a real name but blog anonymously so I can swear blog the Daily Mail without my Nan finding out.
    A2 - What is the title of your blog? (Please provide a link or URL)
    Left Outside
    A3 - When did you write your first post?
    April 23rdish
    A4 - How many posts have you written in total?
    Ooo, about 150


    B1 - What are your main areas of interest?
    Economics, Civil Liberties, Foreign Affairs, The Media
    B2 - Do you have any political interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    I'm not personally affiliated with any organisation, all views are my own.
    B3 - Do you have any commercial interests you wish to promote? - If yes, please describe:
    No commercial interests to speak of.
    B4 - Do you have any other areas of interest you wish to tell other people about? - If yes, please describe:
    Not really, I try to stick to current affairs and politics and try to keep it reasonably funny and interesting.

    C1 - What are you connections with Reading?
    I work in Theale, but in fact live a bit further west out in a village which shall remain nameless, but which features in Lord of The Rings, donchaknow.
    C2 - What do you think is the best thing about Reading?
    Well my friends I suppose. I like that its a fairly cosmopolitan place, and I like that I have in fact found a job at all which other places in the UK can't offer. I like that its a transport hub so I can visit people easily.
    C3 - What do you think is the worst thing about Reading?
    Bit of a clone town particularly the centre, quite pricey in places too.
    C4 - How would you like to see Reading change in the future?
    Cleaner, greener, better public transport. Better any transport, the roads need improving. I'd like to see po na na open again, or failing that another decent indy club other than the After Dark.

    ReplyDelete

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