The House of Commons voted on seven amendments to the EU (Withdrawal) Act yesterday evening. Reading MPs, Matt Rodda (Labour MP for Reading East) and Alok Sharma (Conservative MP for Reading West), voted opposite ways on six of the seven amendments.
Housing
A Pevsner Perambulation in Katesgrove
Nikolaus Pevsner‘s edition of the Berkshire volume of ‘Buildings of England’ was published in 1966, the thirtieth county guide of forty-six. The Reading section starts with the Abbey, followed by churches and finally public buildings.
30 December – Making sense of Reading’s residential property developments
When we walked around the IDR on 16 September for this year’s Heritage Open Days, the number of new property developments along its route became astoundingly clear. In an anti-clockwise direction we first passed, on the south side of Queen’s Road, New Century Place where both blocks have recently been converted from offices to studio apartments.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda calls for government to reject no-deal Brexit
Reading East MP Matt Rodda (Labour) called upon the government to reject a ‘no deal’ Brexit in the Leaving the EU: No Deal debate in Westminster on 19 December.
How Reading MPs Matt Rodda and Alok Sharma voted on Brexit legal advice disclosure
In advance of the start of the five day Brexit debate, the House of Commons debated and voted on a motion tabled by Keir Starmer (shadow secretary of state for exiting the European Union) on parliamentary privilege.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda criticises tenant fee bill
In the House of Commons on 5 September, Reading East MP Matt Rodda expressed concern that the government’s Tenant Fees Bill didn’t adequately protect tenants from unreasonable landlord fees. He voted for amendments suggested by the opposition Labour party, but these were defeated by the Government.
Walking stages 3 and 4 of the IDR
Having carved its way from Caversham Road to the foot of Southampton Street, in the 1970s Reading’s Inner Distribution Road (IDR) stopped abruptly at the ‘ski jump’ where the Oracle roundabout now is. During this hiatus, Reading consulted and debated about whether and how to continue.
Walking stage I of Reading’s IDR
Construction of Reading’s Inner Distribution Road (IDR) started in 1969, but it had been included in development plans since 1957 and no doubt was a twinkle in someone’s eye some time before that. It still bothers Reading’s civic soul when proposals are brought forward to make it one-way or to cover over part of it or turn it into a park.
Lessons at the Victorian schoolroom at Katesgrove School
By Wynne Frankum
Good better best,
never let it rest,
’till your good is better
and your better best.
This was the Victorian rhyme learnt by heart by pupils visiting the Katesgrove schoolroom. It became our mantra when setting up the Victorian schoolroom. Artefacts and lessons used in the schoolroom had to be thoroughly researched and, as far as the budget allowed, historically accurate.
Introduction to “a walk around Reading’s IDR”
The Whitley Pump is leading a walk around Reading’s Inner Distribution Road (IDR) as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days in September. Reading’s post-war history, in which it transformed from a primarily industrial to a retail town, circle the IDR like the IDR circles the town centre.
Hill Street view could change
Reading Borough Council (RBC) are consulting on how the Hosier Street area in the town centre should be developed. Some tall buildings are under consideration which could change the view from Katesgrove’s Hill Street.
Whitley Pump offers “a walk around Reading’s IDR” for Heritage Open Days 2018
For this year’s Heritage Open Days festival the Whitley Pump will be leading a walk around the IDR on Sunday 16 September at 11am.
Reading Borough Council discusses Redlands ward at planning applications committee this week
Reading Borough Council will be discussing issues in Redlands ward during planning applications committee next week.
Reading’s New Local Plan moves forward to last stages
You can now read everything you ever wanted to know about Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) new local plan on a dedicated web page. Once adopted, it will be the main planning document for Reading until 2036.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda tackles houses in multiple occupation
Reading East MP Matt Rodda used the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) debate in Westminster Hall on 21 March to ask the government about the national lack of affordable accommodation that has resulted in a proliferation of HMOs in Reading.
Reading East MP Matt Rodda speaks out on local authority funding
Reading East MP Matt Rodda spoke in the parliamentary debate about the National Audit Office (NAO) report on the financial sustainability of local authorities on 20 March.
Thames Valley Police come to the Whitley Community Café on 22 February
The Church and Whitley neighbourhood policing team will hold a Whitley Community Surgery on Thursday 22 February at 10.00am at Whitley Community Café, 252 Northumberland Avenue .
Whitley MP Alok Sharma says new build leasehold ‘has got to stop’
In a parliamentary debate on 21 December 2017, Reading West MP Alok Sharma (Conservative), who is also the minister for housing in the department for communities and local government, condemned property companies’ practice of imposing high and increasing ground rents on leaseholders.
The church of the shining fields
If you are out on the local roadway or on the pavements grey and you are looking for an interesting walk or a peaceful place to visit, then just over the old Whitley borders across the M4 there is a beautiful church that is almost a thousand years old.
Matt Rodda interview: My priorities as Reading East MP

Matt Rodda with fellow Katesgrove councillors Sophia James (L) and Rose Williams (R) at the Katesgrove councillors’ surgery at Pau Brasil on Silver Street
The Whitley Pump met Matt Rodda, still Katesgrove councillor but more preoccupied with Westminster business these days, in the Global Cafe at RISC on London Street. He explained how he was pushing for things in Parliament that local people wanted and his top three priorities were to fight austerity, fight against hard Brexit and provide more affordable housing.