These awards were as a result of fDi (Foreign Direct Investment) Intelligence, a Financial Times company who publish a European Cities and Regions of the future report.

Above Reading in the Top 5 Cities of the Future is London, Paris, Vienna, and Moscow.  Yes, you are reading that correctly, Reading beat competition from 253 other Cities including Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Glasgow!

The other award, Micro City saw Reading top the chart, with Cambridge, Dundee, Slough and Milton Keynes taking the other top 5 places.

For those people inside and outside of Reading who think Reading is just a small town in Berkshire, will now have to reassess their views as Reading is continuing to outgrow and exceed all expectations.  Named again in the Top 10 UK Cities to pull the UK Economy out of recession, Reading is a place to be, a place to invest, and a place to be immensely proud of.

So get on board, sign up to write on www.thecityofreading.com and help promote Reading to ensure we get City Status, the next step on Reading’s exciting journey.

But due to the much talked about precarious state of our economy, will ticket sales be hit by people who can’t afford to pay the hundreds of pounds for a weekend ticket?

On Monday, Festival Republic, the organisers of Reading Festival unveiled 2 payment options for people wanting to spread the cost of a ticket to the greatest show in Reading over a more manageable period.

The 2 options are a two part and a four part payments scheme.

The two part payment scheme means that an initial payment of 50% of face value plus £8.00 booking fee per ticket would be paid on purchase.  There would then be a second payment of the remaining 50% of the face value plus £5.25 postage fee per transaction (regardless of number of tickets in the booking) to be paid at a later date which organisers are yet to confirmed.

The four part payment plan relies on people purchasing tickets over 4 months in advance of Reading Festival, which is the weekend of 24th-26th August.  An initial payment of 25% of the face value plus the £8.00 booking fee per ticket would be paid upfront.  There would then be 2 monthly instalments of 25% of the face value of the ticket, with the final payment of the remaining 25% plus the £5.25 postage fee per transaction (regardless of number of tickets in the booking).

It is a great idea to give people the opportunity to reserve their ticket and pay it off with no interest added over a longer period and should ensure that numbers attending the event are maintained.

However, if you start paying the instalments and change your mind, the money is none refundable, and the 4 part payment plan is only available with over 4 months to go until the festival itself.

To find out more about these payment plans visit the Reading Festival 2012 website.

We will be discussing the possible 2012 line up for the Reading Festival over the next few weeks.  So follow us on Twitter or join us on Facebook.

Eating out with tables still available:

Ask, Valentines Day in Reading Special

Valentine’s Set Menu: 3 courses and a glass of Prosecco – £16.95 per person. Only available on Valentines Day.

Equations, Valentines Day in Reading Special

Valentines Day Meal – £39.95 per couple for 3 course meal + glass of wine

Malmaison, Valentines Day in Reading

No current offers, but a great place for upper class dining experience.

Calcot Hotel, Valentines Day in Reading

Or why not go to the Calcot Hotel in Reading for their Valentines Day Disco

Or why not eat in:

Sainsburys have put together a great guide on how to make a perfect night in.  The guide gives you ideas on how to make a romantic dinner setting, romantic films and songs.  To view the guide click here.

Asda are offering a Meal for 2 and also ideas on gifts.  To find out more about their offer click here.

Tescos have in store offers, but have given a list of exciting Valentines Day meal recipes that range for simple through to complex ideas.  To view these recipes click here.

If you have any ideas on where to go on Valentines Day in Reading please feel free to share these ideas as the clock is now ticking.

The survey was carried out online on February 2 and 3 and questioned 1,659 people about several questions relating to City Status.

The Survey found that 12% of people think that Reading deserve City Status and the same percentage felt that Bournemouth deserve the Civic Honour.

Other questions that survey reported were that Tower Hamlets, one of two London Boroughs that are bidding for City Status were the publics least favourite for the title with 28% of people choosing them for this question, followed by the other London Borough, Croydon with 17%.  Then other towns the surveyed public felt were “least deserving” of City status was Luton (13%) and Milton Keynes (11%).

Perth, one of two towns in Scotland bidding for City Status received the lowest votes for the town “Least” deserving of City Status, with 3%.

To read the full You Gov Poll results, follow this link.

What do you think about these results? Do you agree/disagree and do you feel that this is a fair reflection of what the public think?  Post below or on Facebook to share your opinion.

The topic was how Dudley has been running an online “e-petition” and around 1% of the 300,000 population, with 1306 signatures. The e-petition, which is on Dudley Borough Councils website.

Tom Dixon was asked about what Reading was doing for City Status and why they didn’t have a similar petition. A Councillor from Dudley seemed defensive in trying to explain the lack of interaction on the e-petition sign ups and stated that money was at the centre of this. A resident also came onto the show to say that he knew nothing about it, and the Councillor had stated that there had been 2 press releases to try and raise awareness. Tom Dixon explained how there is a buzz in Reading about City Status and explained how City Status will benefit the winning town.

You can listen to the interview now which is hosted on the BBC website until Sunday 17th February 2012. It took place at 0805am, 1 hour 30 minutes into his show.

Reading has spent £o of public money on the City Status Bid and the money has come from businesses in the area supporting Reading UK CIC (Community Interest Company) who have put the bid together.

Tom Dixon at The City of Reading has invested his own time and funds to create www.thecityofreading.com to promote Reading’s best aspects and share these in a medium which isn’t muddied by local bad news articles and also produced “The People’s Bid”, which was a document sent to Reading UK CIC with the views, ideas and aspirations of the Local People. This was key, as this bid more than any other in the past should be “By the People…For the People” and Tom’s philosophy has caused much interested by the national media, including the BBC as there is no one else in the UK who has taken personal responsibility and shown Civic Pride to go out and try to promote their town on a National Scale.

Read Tom Dixon’s previous appearances on the BBC:

• Tom Dixon interviewed on Ann Diamond’s show on BBC Radio Berkshire.
• Tom Dixon appears on BBC South Today TV, BBC Radio Berkshire, and Reading 4 U local Radio Station.
• Tom Dixon in BBC website write up.

All Tom asks for is people to get involved and Support Reading’s bid in the ways shown below:

• Sign up as a writer on www.thecityofreading.com and share good news and events about and in Reading.
• Like The City of Reading on Facebook.
• Follow the City of Reading on Twitter.
• Finally be proud of Reading and focus on all of the positive things about Reading.

The Gig will feature Sleep Room (http://www.sleep-room.com/), Bridges (http://www.facebook.com/bridgesuk) and The Subtitles (http://www.thesubtitles.co.uk/).

It is £4 entry on the door and all proceeds from the events will go to supporting Reading 4 U, which is a Community Radio Station streaming music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Radio Station was set up using National Lottery Funding and is run entirely by volunteers.  It gives the people of Reading a platform to share their favourite music, talk about issues effecting people in Reading and most importantly if people want to go onto a show to talk about something that is important to them, the airwaves are theirs without the interruption of adverts and small time slots like commercial radio.

This is an important asset for the people of Reading, and you can support them by heading down their on Saturday, listening in or getting involved.

All details about the event can be found on Facebook or on the Reading 4 U website.

You can volunteer with Reading4u by contacting them directly, or find out the latest news by following them on Twitter @Reading4uRadio or by heading to their Facebook Page.

Finally, spread the word about the Gig and support the only Community Radio Station in Reading!

In an article called “Queen’s Jubilee makes great Reading for Berkshire town” William Hill showed that the odds on Reading winning the City Status 2012 Bid, went from 6/1 to 10/11 over the past year.

However the current second favourite, Perth in Scotland has seen people putting bets as large as £100 on them to take the Civic Honour.

The article then states that 60% of all betting in the last 2 weeks has been placed on Dudley!  This has seen the Midlands town’s odds drop from a long 20/1 to 14/1.

It has to be said that there has been lots of speculation around who will take the must sought prize, and when comparing all of the towns to the City Status Guidelines it is a very difficult to call as it really depends how much weight is placed on certain elements in the criteria.

A large element of this City Status Bid is links to Royalty.  The Reading City Status 2012 Bid evidences Readings’ many links to Royalty dating back as early as 7th Century.  Other examples are Reading is the resting place of King Henry I, and most recently the birthplace of Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge.

Whoever wins the Diamond Jubilee City Status Award will be sure to put it to good use for helping secure the next chapter in their towns history.

For full odds and all you need to know about the Diamond Jubilee City Status 2012 Competition visit this article.

Reading’s position near to the River Thames and River Kennet meant that it began to flourish as traders would regularly hold markets there in the Middle Ages.

Reading’s main trade became clothing, and the town prospered by visitors come to worship at The Reading Abbey. Henry VIII closed the Abbey in 1538, but the clothing industry helped maintain the town, which now an approximate population of 2,000 people by the mid 16th Century.

By the early 18th Century, the clothing and wool industry had began to decline, being replaced by pin making, and brick and tile manufacture.

By the 19th Century, after much involvement in the Civil War, Reading had doubled in size again with a population of around 4,500. The diversity of industries had also grown, with Simonds Brewer, Huntley and Palmers and Sutton Seeds opening. Reading was later known for being the home to the 3 B’s, Beer, Bulbs and Biscuits. The town also saw a rise in skilled workman such as butchers, bakers, grocers, coopers, cutlers, joiners, carpenters, masons, glaziers, plumbers and blacksmiths.

In 1911 the boundaries of Reading were extended to include Caversham and Tilehurst. One of Reading great assets was opened in 1926, The University of Reading which is today ranked as one of the best Educational institutions in the UK.

It was the later part of the 20th Century which really saw Reading grow into the “capital” of the Thames Valley today. The construction of the Oracle Shopping Centre meant that Reading has now became a Shopping Desination which draws in thousands of visitors from across the Thames Valley.

Sir John Madjeski, who is the Chairman of Reading set about using his personal wealth that he amassed through his business, The Auto Trader, to convert wasteland in the South of Reading into Reading Football Clubs new home ground. This is now shared with London Irish Rugby Union Club and means that high level sport is now something enjoyed by many in Reading.

Another part of Sir John’s work is Green Park business estate next to The Madjeski Stadium. This means that Reading is now the centre of “Silicon Valley” which that stretch of the M4 is referred to as, being home to the UK Microsoft headquarters as well as other Gl0bal brands.

Reading continues to grow, with a population of over 250,000 and increased improvement of infrastructure, such as the £800 million redevelopment of Reading Rail Station and the improvement to Reading City Gateway the town will continue to prosper and grow.

Other useful links:

• The History of Reading
• Famous Landmarks in Reading
• Famous People from Reading
• All of the latest infrastructure developments in Reading

Today is officially the start of the celebrations to commemorate and mark this great landmark in British and Commonwealth History.

More information on the events that will be taking place across the UK and the Commonwealth are available by visiting the official Diamond Jubilee website.

One of the ways in which millions of people will be celebrating is holding street parties, as was done when the Queen was coronated in 1952.  These were also a huge success and there is something distinctly British about coming together with our neighbours and celebrating as was seen last year at the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Reading’s Kate Middleton.

However you celebrate, I for one am proud that Her Majesty, at 85 is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.  With all being well, on 7th September 2015, our Queen will be the longest reigning British Monarch in History.

As is well publicised, as part of the celebrations of her Diamond Jubilee, 1 town from across the who of the UK will be granted City Status, with Reading being favourites.  To read more about the history of City Status and this years Diamond Jubilee competition, visit our Diamond Jubilee City Status article.

City status is a civic honour which is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities in the United Kingdom.  City Status is now granted on special occasions by the Queen on advice from the current Government.  City Status has been granted on occasions such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Millennium and now City Status will be awarded as part of the celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

There are no special dispensation or civic benefits that come with City Status when a town, only that is may then call itself a City.  However, it is a title that the majority of UK towns strive for as there are recognised benefits after being award City Status.

What are the benefits of gaining City Status other than being called a City?

As part of found The City of Reading, I set about trying to understand what benefits gaining City Status would bring to Reading.  From studying the feedback of other towns that have gain City Status and there are clear benefits on top of just being able to be called a “City”.

Councillor for Newport, Matthew Evans gave some of the benefits that Newport has reaped after being awarded City Status in 2002.  Mr Evans said:

“Becoming a city has helped to raise our profile and I think the residents of Newport will have seen a great deal of good come from Newport achieving city status. It has given us more funding for regeneration projects to improve infrastructure, from highways to a new railway station, a city centre university campus and new schools to name but a few.”

For taking in the case studies and analysing key trends between the growth of these cities after being awarded City Status, I could see that there are 3 key areas that towns have benefited:

1)      Recognition

• National and International recognition
• Make an area more attractive for large International Businesses looking for a place to site Headquarters
• Increased opportunities for development in Art, Music, Sport and Culture in the area

 2)      Investment and growth

• Increased investment in facilities and infrastructure
• Increase student numbers and aid Graduate Retention
• Increase in jobs in the area
• Increase in tourism

3)      Civic pride

• Build upon efforts to Reinforce Reading in the public view as a successful, vibrant location and positively alter people’s perceptions.

Although many of these don’t appear immediately after a town is award City Status, they can certainly be linked to a town being awarded City Status.

How does a town get City Status?

In 1540, King Henry VIII established dioceses (a district under the supervision of a Bishop) in 6 English towns and gave each of these towns letters patent granting them City Status, and City Status was born.  A letters patent is a published written order issued by a Monarch, granting something.  Examples of this are coats of arms, title, corporation and city status which are all granted by a letters patent.

All of the original Cities had Cathedrals and this represented a pre-request of what was required to be awarded City Status pre 19th Century.  At the turn of the 19th Century, a review took place into the granting of City Status, starting in England where new cathedrals were established in Cities to ensure they fitted the then criteria.

Does a town need a Cathedral to be eligible for City Status?

In 1888 Century the City Status grants were again reviewed, and it was decided that a town no longer needed to have a cathedral to be eligible to apply for City Status.  In total, 18 Cities in the UK do not have a Cathedral and 16 towns which do have an Anglican Cathedral have not been awarded City Status.

In the present day, towns have a different set of criteria to aspire to when seeking City Status.  This includes population, importance to it’s region and links to Royalty, which I will explain later.

Once a town has been given City Status, can it lose it?

The short answer is yes!  Although it has only ever happened twice in history.  Rochester in Kent had been a City since 1211, but an “oversight” by the council when Rochester when Medway Council absorbed the City in 1998 after 8 centuries of City Status.  The old Rochester-upon-Medway City Council did not employ charter trustees, who would have protect the city’s status, and ultimately the City of Rochester Society found that Rochester has lost it’s City Status from noticing Rochester was missing from the Lord Chancellors in 2002.

The other City that lost it’s City Status, although only temporarily was Hereford.  It lost it City Status title when it became Hereford Parish, but was regranted City Status in the same year, 2000.  Rochester has never officially reapplied for City Status in it’s own right, but now forms part of the Medway City Status bid in 2012 which is a coalition of 5 towns in Kent.

How many towns will be award City Status in the 2012 City Status competition?

In past competitions, a town from each of the 4 countries making up the UK were awarded City Status.  However, in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee City Status Competition, only 1 town from the UK will be granted City Status.  This move was made in recognition of the economic hardship being experience in the UK and the World.

Several towns across the UK, including Perth in Scotland, have made approaches via Parliament to try and amend this ruling for fear the smaller towns bidding for City Status would be overlooked for one of the larger populate settlements.

So far, there has been no official announcement that there will be anymore that 1 town given the Civic Honour.

What were the rules of the City Status competition for the Diamond Jubilee

For the 2012 City Status Bid, the Government set a deadline of Friday 27th May 2011 for all City Status bids from all of the towns who were looking to gain City Status to be submitted for the consideration of her Majesty.

The rules were set by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Here are the Civic Honours Entry Guidelines (PDF)

What are the key rules for a City Status entry?

1. Entries must be made by the local authority

2. Entries must have been submitted by 4pm on Friday 27th May 2011

3. An Introduction of NO MORE THAN 5 PAGES explaining why the area deserves City Status, with reference to its age, distinct identity, history, traditions, famous residence, and it’s association with Royalty.

4. A profile of the area of NO MORE THAN 20 PAGES detailing statistics of the area to assist in understanding its bid in relation to other areas

5. UP TO 50 PHOTOGRAPHS of permanent features of the area rather than people and events

6. 2 MAPS showing the area and the “City Centre”

7. An account of the range, variety and appeal of community interest groups in the area along with membership details

8. Examples of matters of interest and information such as:

• Tourist attractions and places of interest
• Visitor Accommodation
• Public Green Spaces
• Major Events and if they are supported by the local authority
• Sport and Leisure facilities and if they are supported by the local authority
• The Voluntary Sector and if they are supported by the local authority
• Shopping Centres

9) The Government do not want Local Authorities to incur costs during the compilation of their bid.

Who has City Status in the United Kingdom

England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

What town’s in the UK have submitted a City Status bid in 2012

In total, 26 towns from across the UK have submitted bids to become the UK’s newest town to be awarded City Status.

Number	Name	City Status information	Image
1	Bolton	Bolton has a population of 139,403 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
2	Bournemouth	Bournemouth has a population of 168,100 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
3	Chelmsford	Chelmsford has a population of 157,072 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
4	Colchester	Colchester has a population of 104,390 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
5	Coleraine	Coleraine is in Northern Ireland and has a population of 24,089.  It did not submit a City Status bid in 2000, but had an unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
6	Corby	Corby has a population of 55,800 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
7	Craigavon	Craigavon is in Northern Ireland and has a population of 12,500.  It did not submit a City Status bid in 2000, but had an unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
8	Croydon	Croydon has a population of 330,587 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
9	Doncaster	Doncaster has a population of 67,977 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
10	Dorchester	Dorchester has a population of 20,101 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
11	Dudley	Dudley has a population of 194,919 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
12	Dumfries	Dumfries is in Scotland and has a population of 43,009.  It did not submit a City Status bid in 2000, but had an unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012
13	Gateshead	Gateshead has a population of 78,403 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
14	Goole	Goole has a population of 17,600 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
15	Luton	Luton has a population of 205,900 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
16	Medway	Medway has a population of 256,700 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
17	Middlesbrough	Middlesbrough has a population of 142,400 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
18	Milton Keynes	Milton Keynes has a population of 195,687 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012.
19	Perth	Perth is in Scotland and has a population of 44,820. It has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
20	Reading	Reading has a population of 232,662 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012
21	Southend	Southend has a population of 160,256 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012
22	St Asaph	St Asaph is in Wales and has a population of 3,491. They have made unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012
23	St Austell	St Austell has a population of 22,658 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
24	Stockport	Stockport has a population of 136,082 and has had unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012
25	Tower Hamlets	Tower Hamlets has a population of 215,300 and has not submitted a City Status bid in the past, but has now entered a bid for City Status in 2012.
26	Wrexham	Wrexham is in Wales and has a population of 63,084. They have made unsuccessful bids for City Status in 2000, 2002.  They have submitted a bid for City Status again in 2012

Who is favourites to get City Status in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

The odds offered by the major book makers have changed dramatically over the past 12 months, since they were released.  When the bookmakers opened betting, Reading Berkshire, was favourites to take the City Status title with odds of 6/1, 8/1 and even as long as 9/1!

Over the past year, the odds for Reading have dramatically shortened as people start to back their favourites, but Reading has remained the first favourite through out.

This is the current City Status odds from William Hill for which town will be granted City status for the Queen’s jubilee

10/11 Reading;

8/1 Perth;

10/1 Middlesbrough;

14/1 Doncaster; Bournemouth; Dudley; Medway;

16/1 Milton Keynes; Luton; Gateshead;

18/1 Chelmsford; Bolton;

20/1 Colchester;

25/1 Wrexham; Southend; Croydon; Stockport; Tower Hamlets;  Coleraine; Dorchester;

33/1 St Asaph; St Austell;

50/1 Corby; Craigavon; Goole

What is in Reading’s City Status Bid?

After a lot of work, the final Reading City Status bid was made public by Reading Borough Council.  Reading’s bid was described as a “City in Waiting” is an expertly constructed document which pulls together hundreds of years of history and culture of this great town.  The City Status bid was submitted on Friday 27th May 2011 as per the competition guidelines and gives Reading the best possible chance of claiming City Status.

Read Reading’s City Status Bid here (PDF)

Other Articles to Read about City Status:

• What difference will City Status make to Reading
• City Status odds still have Reading as favourites
• Where does Reading sit in the City Status competition
• Reading West MP Alok Sharma flies flag for Reading City Status
• Reading City Status Bid gets Westminster audience
• Video of Reading submitting City Status bid
• Reading submits City Status bid
• 10 reasons why Reading should get City Status
• What towns are bidding for City Status (May 2011)
• City Status Bid good for whole of UK
• City Status 2012, a recap on the rules
• Reading made bookmakers favourite for City Status (May 2011)
• The City of Reading get BBC City Status write up
• The City of Reading’s “The People’s Bid” for City Status is now in
• 4 Cities debate hots up (December 2010)
• Civic Pride, what is that all about?
• Reading City Status Bid (December 2010)
• City Status Bid 2012 – The full details
• Reading for City Status (October 2010)