Suggestions from members are welcome!

PIC BY STEWART TURKINGTON – www.stphotos.co.uk

The Museum of English Rural Life explores the history of the English countryside and its people. The museum is free to visit and is one of the best things to do in Reading. Whether on your own or with friends and family, discover our galleries, research our collections, refresh in our café, browse our shop, or relax in our garden.

We are a part of the University of Reading and work with Reading Museum as the Arts Council England-funded Museums Partnership Reading.

DID YOU KNOW?

…city families used to pick hops on holiday?

Hop picking holidays allowed city families to earn money. Pickers were paid with tokens, which were used in local shops or exchanged for wages.

This is a day trip by coach or private car.

Details to be confirmed.

This is a guided tour led by John Painter.

John is an accredited guide, who has been much involved with research and the setting up of ‘The Friends of Reading Abbey’ and a campaign of repairs.

It is just over 900 years since Reading Abbey was built by Henry I as his final resting place. The enormous Abbey complex, around which the town of Reading grew up, included water mills and wharfs on the River Kennet which flows into the Thames just below Reading. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the sixteenth century, the site was largely robbed out and built over during the growth of the early modern Reading.  The east end of the monastic church is under Reading Gaol. But a substantial portion of the impressive remains was protected by incorporation into the Victorian park in the centre of the city.

Since 2009, the ruins were closed due to the dangers of collapse. Coinciding with the nine hundredth anniversary, extensive repairs were undertaken involving archaeology, to make the ruins safe again and also to ensure that the story of the Abbey was properly told for today’s audiences.  It was hoped to discover the tomb of Henry I. Work is ongoing, although no trace of it has so far been found.  A fascinating exhibit in Reading Museum grew out of the works, and the ruins themselves were reopened to the public in June 2018.

To join the visit the cost is £5 per member and for friends.

There will be a talk and tour of the Coleshill National Trust Heritage Skills Centre plus
a visit in the afternoon to Buscot Park.

Buscot Park is owned by the National Trust but lived in and administered by Lord Farringdon, who is the custodian of the Faringdon Collection – ceramics, fine furniture and British art.

Walk to celebrate the life and achievements of Charles Clements, Henley’s Victorian hero

Michael Redley will conduct a guided walk of the town exploring buildings and places in Henley associated with the local builder and councillor, Charles Clements.

Numbers will need to be confined to about 15 or so, first come first served.

If you would like to take part, please  contact Michael directly at michael.redley@appleinter.net

Details to follow

A conducted tour of the Bodleian Library in Oxford

September 22,  Weald & Downland Museum, Chichester. Depart 9 am

A coach trip to the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, near Chichester.

We will be able to visit a great variety of historical rural buildings in a beautiful landscape.

There is a cafe on the site and picnics may be taken. A booking form will be circulated nearer the time, but do let me know whether you are interested in this outing so that we can plan numbers.

Cost to include entrance and coach will be £28.

Contact Liz Toms

Return visit to the archaeological excavations at the Roman Baths at Calleva.