Water Fest As Popular As Ever For 35th Year

Back for its 35^th year, Reading Borough Council’s much-loved Water Fest on Saturday 8 June - more than 12,000 visitors enjoyed the annual celebration of the Kennet and Avon Canal and the historic spots along the towpath.

The free one-day Reading Borough Council event, in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, took place within the Forbury Gardens, Abbey Ruins and along the River Kennet, and celebrated the Abbey’s rich 900-year history and its environmental and heritage connections with Reading’s waterways. 

Local groups and organisations hosted creative workshops, talks, musical and poetry performances, raised awareness and inspired action in response to the climate emergency and celebrated 35 wonderful Water Fest years with a programme full of fun, music, dance and activities.

Water Fest is Reading’s annual celebration of the river the town was built on, which became a canal in 1723. The event showcased the Kennet and the gorgeous and historic spots on its towpath. Visitors took in the sights and sounds as they wandered through Chestnut Walk and admired the beautifully painted boats, Riverside Walk, Forbury Gardens and the renowned Abbey Ruins where there was a mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance across four stages. For the first time this year, visitors were able to explore the new public plaza at Huntley Wharf. 

Highlights included:

• Charity Super.Mkt pop-up event - stalls boasted carefully curated collections of second-hand treasures, chic, pre-loved clothing and accessories,
• The People’s Catwalk encouraged anyone to take to the runway showcasing preloved style.
• Grand finale of the day - the Sustainable Fashion Show in Forbury Gardens showcased a whole host of styles from local charity shops and thrift stores.
• Water Fest marked the start of Reading Climate Festival the full programme can be found here https://readingcan.org.uk/festival/

Reading Borough Council is taking part in an important national Green Events Code of Practice pilot - one of only 10 local authorities in the UK developing consistent guidance on sustainability for event organisers across the country. The Green Events Code of Practice (GECOP) is being developed by the Vision 25 group, representing members of the outdoor live events industry. The pilot is being co-funded by the Arts Council and participating local authorities. The initiative ties in with the Council’s own ambitions for Reading to be net zero carbon by 2030.

GECOP focuses on seven key areas where positive environmental change can be achieved at events: governance, energy, travel and transport, food and drink, waste, water and influence.

At Water Fest key environmental changes included:

• Renewable energy increased across the site - using mains power and rechargeable power banks where possible.
• Working with local waste management company Collards Environmental to offer mixed recycling and food waste bins alongside general waste bins. Collards zero-waste-to-landfill commitment removes waste from sites and processes it to make it useful again ‘recycling the past for the future’.
• New drinking water station in the Abbey, providing a refillable water point for visitors and staff.
• Banning the use of single use plastics.
• Local suppliers and contractors delivering the event.

There is also a commitment within Reading’s Climate Emergency Strategy for the Council to work with local festival organisers to explore opportunities to have more sustainable festivals in the borough.

Louisa Dean Reading Borough Council’s Head of Communications and Events said:

“Water Fest 2024 was yet again another fantastic event that thousands of residents enjoyed. It was great to celebrate our beautiful waterways as well as launch Reading Climate Festival. There were dozens of stalls and activities representing Reading as well as the Charity Super.Mkt pop up event and our first People’s Catwalk followed by our Sustainable Fashion Show.”

“It was our 35^th year of running the event and I am delighted that each year we can change and introduce new elements for residents to enjoy.”

Water Fest was sponsored by Station Hill and the Fashion Zone was sponsored by Tomato Energy.

Alex Aitchison, UK Managing Director for Lincoln, on behalf of the joint venture between Lincoln and MGT which is delivering the Station Hill development and sponsor of Reading Water Fest 2024, said: “I am delighted that so many people were able to enjoy this year’s Water Fest.   It’s a key event for those living and working in the town and we were pleased to be able to engage with the hundreds of visitors who came to our stall to find out more about Station Hill and the exceptional environment it is already helping to create in Reading.  The residential element, Ebb & Flow, is now fully complete, offering nearly 600 apartments for rental.  ONE Station Hill, the soon-to-be-open office element already has commitment from three significant tenants who will occupy over 40 per cent of the available space.  As a result, we are confident that Station Hill will continue to make a significant contribution to Reading’s long-term economic success, as well as help to encourage the development of a vibrant and cohesive community in the town centre.”