Summer Potpourri of Social History Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Summer “Potpourri of Social History” talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00). You may also book each talk individually – see each separate event page. All three talks are on Thursdays at 2pm and last about an hour. Afterwards there will be time for questions and discussion. This is an online talks series using Zoom.
Thursday 23 July “Social Care in Reading: the Middle Ages to 1900“: 2-3.15pm with Mike Cooper
Hospitium to Workhouse via the Oracle: our ancestors often fell on hard times. Although modern concepts of “welfare” might have been alien, from the Abbey to the creation of Battle Hospital, Reading did provide for housing, “relief” and care for its people. This talk discusses what was done, including the work of the Abbey, almshouses and the Corporation.
Thursday 27 August “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission“: 2-3.15pm with Alex Carter
This talk is about the history of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and its work today. It will start with how the Commission began, its work during the First and Second World Wars and concludes with its work today in maintaining and preserving its global historic estate. It will focus on war graves in the local area and will spotlight some personal stories of casualties commemorated locally. The talk will also highlight how family historians can utilise CWGC resources, with a brief case study of the speaker’s own family stories of military service and sacrifice.
Thursday 24 September “A walk along the Thames Path: Marlow to Runnymede“: 2-3.15pm with Bill King
Bill King returns with another section of his popular “Walk Along the River Thames” series. In this talk, we continue downstream through the leafy and most historic parts of the middle Thames valley via Cookham, Maidenhead & Windsor to Runnymede, site of the signing of the Magna Carta. Bill’s talks are replete with images of the river and it’s surrounding countryside and communities and packed with stories and anecdotes of its history. Great for those who’s ancestors came from this part of Berkshire, those who know this area personally, or anyone who loves the countryside and history.
Zoom Talk Requirements
To join these talks, you will need a computer device with speakers. Ideally, also a webcam and microphone. You also need to be able to access the internet from it. First-time users of Zoom, will need to download a small piece of software – included in the link.
How to Book
Pre-booking is required because places are limited. Full joining instructions will be emailed to attendees in advance. Bookings close one day before the first event.
To book – scroll down.
Date
- Thu 23 Jul 2026
Tickets
- £12.50
Category
Organiser
-
The Centre - Berkshire FHS
-
Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
-
Bill KingBills’ main historical specialism is the Second World War, with particular reference to the role of Airborne and Special forces and in clandestine warfare. He has conducted extensive research on the role of the British Resistance Organisation (Auxiliary Units) and has contributed to the books ‘With Britain in Mortal Danger’ (2002) and ‘Churchill’s Underground Army’ (2008).
Bills interests and research has led him to contributing articles to ‘After the Battle’ magazine and to elements of the books ‘D-Day – Then and Now’, ‘Operation Market – Garden – then and now’ and ‘Glenn Miller in Britain – Then and Now’. He is a former Chairman of the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group (RMARG) and is a member of The Western Front Association and of the Military Vehicle Trust.
Bill has appeared on radio and TV on many occasions, including Countryfile’ on BBC1, ‘History Mysteries’ on BBC2, the Channel 4 series ‘Dads Secret Army’, the Channel 5 Select series ‘Secrets of the National Trust’, and ‘The Thames, Britain’s Great River’ with Tony Robinson. In addition, Bill is a regular speaker throughout Wiltshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Dorset.
-
Mike CooperMike has had a lifelong interest in history, especially military and local history. Following a history degree at the University of Reading he worked as a librarian, with both the University and Reading Library. In addition to work on librarianship, he has had three books on the history of Reading published. Mike works for Reading Borough Council, and lives in Tilehurst with his wife and Moggy the Cat.
-
Alex CarterCommonwealth War Graves CommissionAlex is an employee of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and a volunteer speaker delivering talks and tours to members of the public discussing the work of the CWGC. He is also an amateur researcher and family historian, having written his undergraduate dissertation on his own family history, with a particular focus on migration and conflict.
As a former tour guide intern working at the CWGC’s largest sites on the Western Front, Alex is passionate about engaging the public, particularly young people, with the personal stories of those who fell in both world wars.