Reading's Mayor hosts reception to thank Reading Family Aid for Toys and Teens

On Wednesday 21st February, Reading's Mayor, Cllr Tony Page, welcomed the Toys and Teens Team to a reception at the Mayor's Parlour. Several of the trustees and committee members as well as some of the regular volunteers were able to enjoy his hospitality.

The Mayor thanked everyone that had been involved in the Toys and Teens Appeal for all their hard work. He said that, when he visited us in the hall during Toy Project Week, that he was amazed at all the toys that had been donated and impressed with the organisation of the work that was being undertaken.

He went on to relate many stories about the town, the relationship with Dusseldorf, the Mayoral regalia, the extensive silverware collection that had been donated over hundreds of years as well as the mace that is the oldest in the country. One story was about the 17th century clasp on one of the civic regalia gowns 'disappeared' many years ago but was found some year's later in a pawn shop! It was of course purchased and returned to its rightful place.

He also talked about the Town Crest.
It features:
-  an Abbot's  Mitre, representing the Abbey
-  goats representing the town's early wool trade, one including a badge indicating the two main rivers in the town
- five rather enigmatic ladies' heads, the centre one wearing a crown!

We discussed the extraordinary photograph of the Reading skyline on the wall. He explained that it is a montage of a number of photographs because if you look closely you can see that some buildings are not really in the correct position!

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The evening closed with a vote of thanks from Wendy Howell, Chair. She thanked Cllr Page not only for hosting a lovely evening and his hospitality ​but also for his support of the Toys and Teens Appeal and his recognition of the work we do. The evening and this recognition was much appreciated and the by the whole team.