Historic market town in Berkshire, at the Thames–Kennet confluence, on the Great Western Main Line.
A fourth case of meningococcal disease has been confirmed in Reading, Berkshire, linked to a wider social network associated with two deaths in Kent. The pupil at Westwood Farm Junior School is recovering; three cases in Reading and Henley College have prompted precautionary antibiotics for close contacts. Public risk to the wider community remains low.
A licensing change at Reading Festival could allow main-stage music on Thursdays and extend alcohol hours from 2027, amid ongoing festival format tweaks and high-profile headliners for Reading and Leeds.
Police have been investigating a potential threat to the UK Ijtima event at Shrubland Hall, Ipswich. Seizures include 35+ digital devices; 42-year-old man charged with offensive-weapon offenses. A second man was released on bail with conditions as inquiries continue.