Short talks and quiz
Reading Branch meeting 12th December 2019 Speaker: Members There were two short talks by members, a Berkshire dialect quiz from Vicki and the traditional non-alcoholic mulled wine and mince pie courtesy of Rosemary and Angie. Angie Catt spoke about her great-grandfather John Gibbons (West) born in Bath who enlisted in the 12th Prince of Wales […]
Birth and Death Certificates
Reading Branch meeting 28th November 2019 Speaker: Antony Marr Speaking from a background of an ex Deputy Registrar he gave an interesting insight of what can be found on these certificates. The rules surrounding these certificates are covered by a 150-page instruction book. Original certificates will have original signatures; the GRO (General Register Office) version […]
Heroes of Woodley Airfield – talk by Joy Pibworth
‘Heroes of Woodley Airfield’ talk by Joy Pibworth. Many key figures in aviation history have ties with Woodley and this fascinating talk used the names of streets as the basis of their stories.
Boiled cats, mercury and Jesuit Drops: healthcare in Georgian Newbury
Whilst the physicians and surgeons of Georgian times were technically regulated by their professional bodies, standards of training and practice were unenforceable. Itinerant “doctors” moved from town to town, dispensing miracle cures for all diseases
Policing Reading in WW1
Reading Branch meeting 31st October 2019 Speaker: Tony Keep from Thames Valley Police Museum Tony started his research to commemorate what was thought to be 47 policemen lost in WW1, but actually turned out to be 49. At the time of WW1 eight forces existed covering the area now known as Thames Valley force. In […]
The life and times of Robert Tebbott (1782 – 1850)
Around 1820 the Prince Regent, about to become George IV, decided that Windsor Castle should be rebuilt as a royal residence. The contract for the work was awarded to Robert Tebbott. The original estimate of £120,000 soared to £1.2 million.
The Edwardians – talk by Tony King
Reported by Christopher Singleton The Edwardian Era, sometimes referred to as the Golden Era, spanned the years from the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Tony King’s talk provided a framework to this period, from early Victorian times to 1918, with a wealth of images, […]
