2024-2025
ALL WILL BE MOST WELCOME AT OUR PHYSICAL MEETINGS. However, a small charge (currently £2) per meeting is made for non-members.
Meetings are held on Zoom from December to February, which only members can attend. Any visits we arrange are also member only events. All other meetings are held in the Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square at 7 pm for a 7.30 pm start (rear of the Central Library in Kings Road).
| DATE | PROGRAMME |
| 2024 20 Nov | Presidential Address: ANOTHER LOOK AT PROSPERITY AND PIETY IN LATE MEDIEVAL READING c1450-1550 – Joan Dils A portrait of a town with an expanding commercial cloth industry, assertive urban politicians, and churches with devout worshippers. With a longstanding interest in Reading, Joan is currently the President of the Society. |
| 18 Dec | MORE THAN BISCUITS, BEER AND BULBS – Jo Alexander-Jones (via ZOOM) Jo is a member of Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group and on the committee of the History of Reading Society. |
| 2025 15 Jan | PHOTO QUIZ – Vicki Chesterman (via ZOOM) Vicki is secretary of HoRS. How many places do you recognise in historic Reading? Test your New Year Brain! |
| 19 Feb | LIVING THROUGH THE CIVIL WAR: THE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE IN AND AROUND READING – Catherine Sampson (via ZOOM) Catherine, a local historian and Chair of BFHS, will be describing living conditions at this time. |
| 19 Mar | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING followed by BIG LITTLE HOUSES – DELLWOOD, THE LAURELS AND KENTWOOD HOUSE – Katie Amos Katie who is lead librarian at Reading Central Library will tell the history of these properties and their owners. |
| 16 April | JANE AUSTEN’S FIRST CHRISTMAS – Joy Pibworth This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen‘s birth. An active member of the Jane Austen Society, Joy will give an insight into national and global events during the first months of her life. |
| 21 May | TILES FOR THE ABBEY: A MEDIEVAL TILERY AND OCCUPATION AT 40-68 SILVER STREET, READING – David Sanchez David is from Thames Valley Archaeological Services will reveal a fascinating hidden history in Silver Street. |
| 18 June | VISIT – READING FOOTBALL CLUB tour with David Downs (members only) |
| 16 July | VISIT – HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, READING visit with Ron Cutting (members only) |
| 17 Sept | 150 YEARS OF JACKSONS CORNER! – Thomas Macey Thomas, who was one of the last employees, will give a talk to celebrate this special anniversary of Reading’s well known department store. |
| 15 Oct | THE HILL FAMILY AND THE READING CONNECTION – Duncan Mackay Duncan is author of a book about Arthur Hill’s family will describe how the National Trust was set up. |
| 19 Nov | Presidential Address: VOICES OF READING: ASPECTS OF LIFE IN THE ‘LONG 18TH CENTURY’ – Joan Dils Our president Joan Dils will use diaries, letters, newspaper reports and court records as sources of what real life was like at this time. |
| 17 Dec | EMMER GREEN CHALK TUNNELS – Robin Kent (via ZOOM) Find out about this mysterious underground location in Reading. |
Details of our meetings can also be found on Facebook and other social media.