People browse plant stalls and white market tents decorated with colorful bunting in a sunny town square surrounded by historic red brick buildings.

Wokingham’s Markets and Fairs: from 800 years ago to the present day

The talk starts with the establishment of fairs in the early middle ages.

A historic stone cross monument with a tiered octagonal base, situated in a grassy park surrounded by lush green trees.

Signs of the Times: Reading’s Memorials

This talk will describe aspects of the town’s history by considering some of its, often not well known, plaques, statues, and monuments. Even the better- known memorials have secrets to yield in the tales of their origins.

A tranquil river scene with tall poplar trees and a large deciduous tree on a grassy bank under a clear blue sky, with reeds in the foreground.

A Timeline of Thames Valley History

An online talk for local history enthusiasts exploring Thames Valley heritage, from prehistoric ancestors and Viking battles to modern industries.

A close-up of dried rose petals in shades of deep magenta, pink, and faded yellow.

Autumn Potpourri of Social History Talks Series

This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Autumn "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00).

The historic stone ruins of Reading Abbey in Berkshire, with the modern, sail-shaped Blade building rising in the background.

Medieval Reading – a walkabout

An in-person guided walkabout for local history enthusiasts exploring the rich medieval heritage of Reading, from Viking invasions to the Abbey.

AI generated image. A diverse group of people, some in historical costumes, engage in various activities in a modern library setting.

Heritage Open Days – Open Day

An in-person drop-in open day for family history beginners and researchers to explore our archives, use premium databases and get expert guidance.

Heritage Open Days – Open Day

An in-person drop-in open day for family historians and local history enthusiasts to explore our research centre and get expert genealogy advice.

A festive, illustrated scene of a decorated Christmas tree with colorful ornaments and a gold star, surrounded by wrapped gifts next to a glowing fireplace.

Christmas Social & Quiz

Come and join us for a Combined Branches' Christmas Social. It will be a chance to get together, catch up on Society developments and chat to other members of the Society.

AI generated image. A medieval scene depicts an archer, a fallen man with arrows, villagers, and a tavern with gravestones.

Everyday Life & Fatal History in 16th Century Oxfordshire

An in-person talk for family historians exploring everyday hazards and accidental deaths in Tudor Oxfordshire, using 16th-century coroners' reports.

A row of historic Victorian stone townhouses with wrought-iron railings and small front gardens along a sunny street.

Eldon Road area, Reading, a historical tour

David Cliffe will guide us around the historic area bounded by Eldon Road and Watlington Street. This is a conservation area and famed for some stunning Georgian architecture.

A red brick building with a prominent cream-colored gable and large multi-pane windows, situated behind a low brick boundary wall.

Tour of Family Research Centre

Join us for a FREE tour of Berkshire Family History Society's new Family Research Centre. Pre-booking required.

Tour of the Former Fair Mile Hospital, Cholsey

The Fair Mile Hospital (before 1948 known by a succession of different names) was until relatively recently Berkshire’s county lunatic asylum. Ian Wheeler will take us around the site with a site plan to help visualise the hospital as it once was.

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