Reading Forum

OK, so not in the shocking sense. But if you ever walk past Friars Walk and think it is deserted, think again, especially on Saturdays/Sundays! Ever wondered why the front doors have been covered so you can no longer see in? It would be a bit alarming to see in on a Saturday and see what actually happens in there!

This is what is going on in there by boys with their toys! Seems popular enough so fair play (literally!!) to them. They've also taken over the disused Mecca bingo parlour! It's one of those things that you may not see eye to eye with, but they enjoy it and why shouldn't they make good use of an otherwise useless space and enjoy it? Personally, I bet for them it's great fun in an old shopping centre or hiding in the old bingo parlor (not my thing though!).

Links:

Link to photos: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=90770717596#/photo_search.php?oid=90770717596&view=all (skip down five or ten pages a time if you want to just have a look at the place). You don't need to be on Facebook - they're publically available;
Link to organisers: http://www.firstandonlyairsoft.com/venues/the-mall.html;
Link to 28 Days Later who photograph disused buildings: http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=38337&highlight=reading. Dubvious methods of access used here though, but the photos are quite interesting yet spooky. Some were also featured in one of the local papers not that long ago - Reading Post I think? Smallmead Stadium photos also available at http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=37581. If you can be bothered to try the rather poor search feature there are some interesting shots from the rooftops in Broad Street at night as well as the bingo parlour and Great Western Tower;
Link to another photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/richard-james/sets/72157604060251073.

Someone has posted photos of the insides of closed building on this Forum in the past. IIRC they included the Friar Walk complex and Kings Meadow swimming pool. I don't approve of people tresspassing, you one can hardle blame them and it does serve to hoghlight the scandelous waste of rescourses that is a downside of this town.

The photographer in the previous posting was Winchester Royal from over on HNA. If the thread can be resurrected, it makes interesting viewing. Shame that so mush valuable stuff was lost.