Reading's heritage celebrated

Richard Cutcher • Published 12 Sep 2011 22:00 3 Comments

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For a full report on Heritage Open Days and The Chronicle archive open day pick up a copy of this Thursday's Reading Chronicle

READING'S history and heritage was successfully celebrated during a four-day programme of events across the town.

Nearly 40 venues of historical, social, architectural and cultural interest hosted free tours, lectures, open days and workshops from Thursday through to Sunday and the public turned out in their hundreds to pay a visit and learn something new or familiarise themselves with Reading's landmarks.

Properties throwing open their doors ranged from the 700-year-old Greyfriars Church, in Friar Street, to the Berkshire Family History Society, and from the Museum of English Rural Life to the Madejski Stadium which was taking part in the programme for the first time.

Pip Coleman, 78, has lived in Earley for 46 years and visited the RISC Roof Garden in London Street for the first time. Mrs Coleman said: "I am a keen gardener and I have always wanted to see this roof garden and Heritage Open Days offers such opportunities. I think it is just so lovely to come round and look at something which is not normally open."

All the events hosting tours and lectures which required advanced registration were fully booked and organisers were delighted with all four days.

The Reading event was co-ordinated by Reading UK CIC and Jo Keen, marketing and events manager, said: "This year's Heritage Open Days were a great success, attracting hundreds of visitors to exhibitions, walks, workshops and beautiful buildings. It really was a wonderful celebration of Reading's heritage and culture."

Each event provided something new and exciting to visitors, and media sponsors, The Midweek, and its sister paper The Chronicle, offered readers a unique chance to examine Reading's history in print.

Archives of the The Chronicle, Mercury and Midweek papers dating back as far as 1783 were made available to those who had booked in advance, giving them a fascinating insight into their own, and thousands of other, lives in the town over the past two and a half centuries.

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NotJohn
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Sep 13, 13:59
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I spend an interesting part of Saturday visiting three churches and learned a few things.

There is a lot more history in Reading than may be initially apparent.

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Paul
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Sep 14, 21:35
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Big thanks to all who organised it and gave up their time to run it.

Learnt so much about Reading and Sonning's history in various walks/tours.

Looking forward to next year!

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amanda
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Sep 15, 09:51
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Huge thanks to everyone involved with the Heritage Open Days this year.

Our Historypin Exhibition at Reading Museum and Town Hall was buzzing!

Lots on interesting and passionate people , all talking about our wonderful town.

Our Exhibition is open until January, its the perfect place to keep this enthusiasm going.

Do Come in and see us, see The Museum website for opening times, or look us up on www.historypin.com/reading

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