Historic Reading Talks Series
This all series ticket covers both talks in the “Historic Reading” talks series, for the discounted price of £8 (members £7). You may also book each talk individually – see each separate event page. Both talks are on Thursdays at 2pm in The Centre for Heritage and Family History, Reading. They last about an hour with time for questions and discussion afterwards. Tea, coffee and cake after the talk is included in the price.
A third talk in May is our special VE Day event – a fish and chips lunch after which we will have a talk with Q&A afterwards. This third talk is priced at £12 (to include lunch) (members £11) and need to be pre-booked separately to the series ticket.
Thursday 10 April 2025 – From the White Man’s Grave to Cemetery Junction: the story of Mary Smart with Richard Stowell
Mary Smart was just 17 years old when she died in 1849 to become one of the earliest people buried at Reading’s London Road Cemetery. Who was this ‘pious African girl’, and why was she in Reading? Richard Stowell has unearthed the fascinating story of Mary’s brief life, the time she spent in England, and the family she left behind in West Africa.
Thursday 12 June 2025 – The History of Reading’s Cinemas with David Cliffe
The author of several books, including “Picture Palace to Penny Plunge: Reading Cinemas”, David is ideally placed to talk to us about the history of Reading’s cinemas. He will describe the history of the single-screen cinema in Reading, from the travelling shows at the turn of the twentieth century, its heyday with the Vaudeville Electric Theatre in the 20s, through to today’s multi screen entertainment ‘villages’ and outdoor screenings. This is a talk which is sure to bring back many memories. Both for those who remember the cinemas mentioned and for those who loved going to the cinema in their younger days.
Find out more in these fascinating face-to-face talks.
Pre-booking is preferred, but you can pay on the door for this series ticket at the first talk, if there are spaces available.
Scroll down to book.
Date
- Thu 10 Apr 2025
Tickets
- £8.00
Location
- 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BQ
Organiser
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The Centre - Berkshire FHS
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
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David CliffeDavid Cliffe came to Reading in 1969, and spent his working career in public libraries in Reading, eventually becoming Local Studies Manager for Reading Borough. He has had a life-long interest in local history, and is currently Chairman of the Berkshire Local History Association, and of the History of Reading Society. Another life-long interest has resulted in him being the President of the Reading & District Natural History Society.
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Richard Stowell
Richard spent three years living and working in Sierra Leone before coming to settle in Reading. On retiring, he studied for a Masters degree in history at Reading University and wrote an award-winning dissertation on the history of Sierra Leone.