In May, hundreds of people will take part in Reading Walks, an annual celebration of walking.
Each of the routes has been chosen to celebrate parts of Reading’s heritage or history … and also have start and finish points that are accessible by public transport.
Hugely popular, many of this year’s walks have already been fully booked.
To celebrate, the Reading Walks team has launched a limited edition T-shirt which features images of locations, people and stories that are championed in this year’s festival, which runs from Saturday, May 10, through to Sunday, May 18.
Designed by Reading artist Cath Baldwin people can spot Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen and Banksy, the Town Hall, Forbury Lion and Abbey Ruins, the St James’ Way pilgrimage route, the Kennet & Avon Canal and the National Cycle Network on the design.
The look has been welcomed by the team behind the Reading Walks festival.
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Organiser Alex Brannen said it made sense for the team to commission a Reading-based artist who knows how to tell Reading’s stories.
“In the past, Cath’s work has included celebrating Reading’s biscuit heritage and so we couldn’t think of anyone better to represent all the stories of our 53 walks this year,” he said.
And Cath is thrilled to be helping out the Reading Walks team in this way, but found the challenge of producing one image tricky.
“The biggest difficulty was keeping to the locations and themes that this year’s Reading Walks Festival are going to cover as there are so many great things about Reading that could be included,” she said.
Cath Baldwin has been working and exhibiting, both locally and nationally, for over 20 years, generally showing hand-made prints and occasional work in other media.
Her inspiration comes from all over the place – a headline in a newspaper, an overheard conversation, a line in a book or something said by one of her children, often with a humorous by-line.
Cath’s work can be found on Reading’s annual Whiteknights Studio Trail – which this year takes place obver the weekend of June 7 and 8 – and at a number of art fairs around the country, as well as in the Reading Museum shop.
The Reading Walks Festival limited edition T Shirt costs £20 and is available from the Reading Museum shop in person or online – https://reading-museum-shop.myshopify.com
More about Reading Walks Festival
Reading Walks Festival takes place in and around Reading from 10-18 May 2025. There are still tickets available for more 20 of the walks that feature in this year’s festival with tickets costing £3 in most cases.
Walks are led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, showcasing the fascinating stories that make Reading the vibrant place it is, from guided tours of the Abbey Quarter and Reading’s literary heritage to social strolls along the Thames or countryside walks in the Chilterns.
To book a place on a walk during the festival, visit Readingwalksfestival.org
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