Forbury Gardens will be filled with free food and live music this weekend, as Reading Town Meal returns for its 10th anniversary.

More than 1,000 plates are expected to be whipped up by Reading College catering students.

They will use produce donated by Reading farms and allotments to create the ‘biggest picnic in Reading’.

Chair of the organising committee Sharon Fitton said: “It’s about celebrating community again and all that we’ve been through and what better way to do that than over a shared meal.

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Reading Chronicle: Reading Town Meal in 2011Reading Town Meal in 2011

“It’s going to be a safe space, it’s outside, the sun’s going to chance and a chance for people to feel part of something again.

“It brings the whole town together,” added Ms Fitton, who is also co-ordinator of Food4Families, a lottery-funded project which helps put together the event with the Reading Food Growing Network, Reading Borough Council and others.

First held in 2011, there have been seven 'picnics in the park' accompanied by music from local bands, family fun activities, and the chance to shop with local producers.

Previous meals have included tagine, curry, hotpot and ragout, all served with salad, and followed by crumble.

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Reading Chronicle: Reading Town Meal in 2011Reading Town Meal in 2011

The aim of the meal is to promote home grown and locally produced food, supported by sponsors like the Big Lottery Fund, Reading Climate Change Partnership and The Earley Charity.

You can turn up anytime between 12pm and 4pm on Saturday, but if you’re looking forward to a meal make sure you’re there at 12:30 when dinner is served.

The in-person celebration will be complimented by online mycology workshops run by the Fungi Farmer. They are running at 7pm every day this week leading up to the main event.