Christchurch Bridge to light up to mark programme of national awareness and remembrance events

CHRISTCHURCH BRIDGE will once again be lighting up Reading’s nighttime skyline. A programme has been put in place to use its inbuilt lighting system for a range of national awareness days and remembrance events throughout the year, with the first one taking place this weekend.

This weekend will see the bridge lit up in Pride colours as part of this year’s Reading Pride celebrations.

Throughout the year the bridge will be illuminated in a range of colours for a range of events and awareness days including Mental Health Awareness Day, World Aids Day and Foster Care Fortnight.

The bridge will also be lit in white on 20 June for the Reading Together anniversary in memory of those who lost their lives and were injured in the Forbury Gardens.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said:

“I’m thrilled that we are able to get back to utilising the wonderfully designed lighting system that was always to be a feature of the bridge to be able to show our support for certain awareness days and also for marking important days of remembrance that mean so much to so many people.

“It is important that we show our respects as well as mark these days through a variety of means.

“We will also be encouraging local charities and community groups to apply to light up the bridge to mark their special anniversary and awareness days locally. We will shortly be announcing how you can apply to be shortlisted for one of the five additional slots available annually, where the Mayor will choose the successful five applications. This process will open in January next year.”

The bridge will be lit for these awareness days and memorial events:

3 – 6 September - Reading Pride weekend

11 – 19 September - Heritage Open Days

1 - 7 October - Black History Month

10 October - Mental Health Awareness Day 

22 October - Breast Cancer Awareness Day

8 – 14 November - Armistice and Remembrance Sunday

1 December - World Aids Day

27 January - Holocaust Memorial Day

8 March - International Women’s Day

23 March - National Day of Reflection

24 March - World TB Awareness Day

2 April - World Autism Awareness Day

1 – 7 May - Stroke Awareness Month

11 – 23 May - Foster Care Fortnight

1 – 7 June - Pride Month

7 – 15 June - British Heart Week

20 June - Reading Together anniversary

27 June - Armed Forces Day

For all Reading Council Press Releases and Photos, go to www.media.reading.gov.uk