This report is to advise the Committee of the plans to mark 2021, a year of culturally significant anniversaries in Reading.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report advising the Committee on the plans to mark 2021, a year of culturally significant anniversaries in Reading.  2021 would mark the 900th anniversary of the founding of Reading Abbey as well as the 250th anniversary of the Thames Conservancy, 150 years of Reading Football Club, 75 years of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 70 years of Museum of English Rural Life, 50 years of Reading Festival and 30 years of the Rising Sun Arts Centre.  The Council and these organisations had been working together to develop a programme of activity during 2021 to celebrate these special milestones.

The report explained that the proposed programme had a strong digital presence, with the expectation of some live events.  Whilst a purely digital offer could be delivered, this would limit the reach and opportunity for celebrating these special anniversaries.  Instead it was proposed to plan for a blend of both digital and live, with digital being the fall-back position in the event that Covid19 restrictions prevented live events.

One of the highlight events would be the celebration of the 900th anniversary of the founding of Reading Abbey, planned for Saturday 19 June 2021, in Forbury Gardens, Abbey Ruins and along the Kennet in the town centre.  Water Fest would take place the same day and would showcase the significance of the Kennet and Avon Canal in Reading.  All plans for Saturday 19 June would also need to be sensitive to any commemorative events to mark the anniversary of the attack in Forbury gardens taking place on the Sunday and would be foremost in the minds of everyone in the shaping of this day.

The report also explained that Museums Partnership Reading (MPR) were planning an exhibition, provisionally titled '1971' that would display historic photography of the first Reading Festival, alongside material from both Reading Museum and the Museum of English Rural Life exploring life in 1971.  The Museum of English Rural Life, with support from the Arts Council Cultural Recovery Fund, was planning to mark its 70th year through 51 Voices, a digital project that would draw on its Festival of Britain and other collections from 1951.  In May 2021m Berkshire Record Office planned to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the Thames Conservancy with an online exhibition of its archive, which was of national importance.

In addition, the Hexagon’s resident orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra were planning both digital and live performances throughout the year to mark their 75^th anniversary and Reading Football Club were planning various activities and events, including a dedicated microsite, to mark their 150^th season.

Resolved -

That the plans set out to celebrate the various anniversaries being celebrated in 2021 be noted.