Reading Borough Council

Our email services have returned to normal following the earlier Microsoft service issues.

If you have sent emails in the last 24 hours there may be some minor delays in response.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

#rdguk

The Hexagon is now fully heated using naturally occurring warm water from underground, along with air-source heat pumps.

Old inefficient gas boilers have been removed from the building and a ground-source heat pump system installed. Warm water which flows naturally underground is pumped to the surface where heat is extracted and transferred for use in the building. The cooler water is then returned underground.

The system saves 158 tonnes of CO2 per year which is the equivalent of planting more than 2,600 trees each year.

The new heating system is one of several improvements being made to the much-loved Hexagon which is heading towards its 50th anniversary.

A grant of £2.06m from Arts Council England, supported by Council match funding, has already allowed the laying of new floorboards in the auditorium.

New seating will be installed in the arena and stalls in January next year and the replacement of the balcony seating, fire stopping and drainage works will follow next summer.

Meanwhile, construction of the new Studio Theatre is progressing rapidly and is on track for opening in spring 2027.

Read more here:

rdguk.info/tIWFp

#rdguk

More than 50 students from five local secondary schools will be taking part in a mock COP31 environmental conference in Reading next week.

While world leaders are gathering for the global summit in Turkey, local young people will be involved in their own UN-style debate in the council chamber in the Civic Centre.

It’s the 13th annual Schools’ Climate Conference in Reading which will see students forming teams representing some of the many different countries attending COP31.

The second part of the event will give students a chance to talk about the environmental work their schools are undertaking and then quiz a panel of local decision makers in a Climate Question Time.

It’s a great opportunity for young people to explore issues around climate change and inspire them to play a part in positive climate action in the future.

Read more at:

rdguk.info/UPhIZ

#rdguk

⚠️ Due to the issues affecting Microsoft services globally, we are experiencing disruption sending and receiving emails.

If you need to contact us today for now, please call 0118 937 3787, thank you.

Our gritting trucks will be out spreading salt on Reading’s roads from 7pm for the first time this season as road surface temperatures are expected to fall below zero.

Take care if you’re out on the roads tonight.

#rdguk