Jolly Street Party to Save Community Pub

Newtown locals and community pub lovers gathered outside the recently closed 'Jolly Angler' pub on Kennetside, Reading for a Street Party on Sunday 19th July. The party, held as part of the nationwide 'Big Lunch', was organised by 'Jollydarity', the campaign to save the Jolly Angler.

The pub was closed on 16th June by owners Enterprise Inns and promptly sold. The sale, details of which prevent the pub being re-opened as a pub for two years, would be sure to lead to yet another unwanted development and loss of a community pub, if it wasnt for the groundswell of local feeling against this.

The past few weeks have seen public organising meetings held in the nearby Retreat pub, photocalls and a 'wake' held outside the boarded up boozer. Sunday's street party was the latest action organised by the campaign - which includes local IWW unionists - and the largest to date.

Approx 50 people old and young attended the party and community spririt was in plentiful supply, in the form of food and drink brought along by many partygoers. Local band 'The Black Diamonds' completed the jolly atmosphere with an afternoon full of their good-time 'sciffle' tinged folk - including campaign song 'Bring Back My Jolly To Me'.

The party was a great next step for the campaign, gaining much new support from passers-by and further actions are allready being planned. People are encouraged to get involved and suppport the campaign to save this much needed community space from destruction.

Email rgacollective@hotmail.co.uk for more info.