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April 2026
Spring Potpourri Talks Series
This all series ticket covers all three talks in the Spring "Potpourri of Social History" talks series, for the discounted price of £12.50 (members £10.00).
Stories near your feet: Life, loss and legacy in Reading Old Cemetery
As you wander through the peaceful paths of Reading Old Cemetery, at Cemetery Junction, have you ever wondered about the lives of those buried there? From grand Victorian monuments to forgotten, unmarked graves, each plot holds a story, some well-known, others only recently uncovered. Discover more in this talk.
What did you do in the War Granny?
At the outbreak of War in 1914 the women of Britain were as keen as their menfolk to "do their bit".  Women's participation in the war effort grew to such an extent that in 1917 it was formally recognised by the establishment of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.  The talk looks at how this came about and what Britain's first women soldiers actually did both at home and abroad.
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
Caversham Chalk Mines Visit Sold Out
Explore the mine complex and learn of its uses through time in this visit led by qualified and knowledgeable volunteers of the 89th Reading Scouts. This is a rare opportunity to take part in an exceptional event. Please read the safety requirements and instructions in full.
Researching Windsor’s oldest recorded grave
Curious about just how old the oldest tombstone in Windsor is? This talk is about memorials and gravestones at Windsor Parish Church of St John the Baptist and we will let you know!
Five Generations at the Fair Mile Hospital
Discover the history of the former Berkshire County Asylum
May 2026
May Natter Group
Informal discussion group for members of Berks FHS, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required.Â
Drop In Advice Session
Bring your questions, problems and ‘brickwalls’ … and get some new ideas and advice from members of the Berkshire Family History Society.
After the Great War: History in the 1921 census
The 1921 census was the first to be collected after the Great War of 1914-1918, and for family history researchers it contains a great deal of useful information.Â
Online Family History Advice Clinic
Are you just getting started in family history and wanting guidance as to how to proceed? Or are you stuck at a particular "brick wall" and need some help?
“The Road to Peace is Paved with Headstones”, stories behind the names on Abingdon War Memorial
Discover the moving stories of local families and the streets of Abingdon forever changed by the World Wars.
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.
Lady Hawk
Join us as we follow the life of Fanny Ann Vickers—later Annie Copperthwaite—beginning with her birth in the Newbury Workhouse, and tracing her journey through hardship, resilience, and survival in Victorian England via Henley and Reading. The talk brings to life familiar Newbury locations, including the family’s shop in Bartholomew Street, daughter Ellen’s birth nearby, […]
The Silk Industry in Reading
The silk industry existed in Reading for over 200 years, and employed over 500 people in the early 19th century. Yet nowadays few have heard of it. David will describe the different processes involved in silk production, how the industry in Reading was run, some of the firms involved, and whereabouts they operated.
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