Heritage Open Days. Friday 18 September 2pm: Shopping in Jacksons Department store and The Oracle today
Thomas Macey and the Oracle Management Team contrast shop work then and now.
New Planning Guidance from The Council
In March this year Reading Borough Council issued updated guidance and advice for householders in Conservation Areas. The information can be found on the council’s website. It outlines the Permitted Development Rights, planning permissions and Article 4 Directions. It also summarises when permission is needed for works carried out to a home in a Conservation ... Read more
Talk Monday 12 October 2pm: The Story of A B Walker Funeral Directors in their 200th year
The history of A B Walker including the funeral profession, the challenges of the moment and some memories of 30 years of funerals.
Talk: Saturday 21 November 2pm; Two Hundred Years of Reading Weather
Talk from Dr Stephen Burt on Two Hundred years of Reading weather to be given to Reading Civic Society on 21 Nov 2026.
Explore Reading
Find out about Reading old and new.
Our Heritage Plaque Website
We have been working on a new section of our website which details the heritage “blue” plaques around our town. A sub-committee has worked tirelessly to find, check and document the plaques, and information panels, and collate them in to one useful display with an associated map to help members and visitors to Reading to ... Read more
Jane Austen 250 – Commemorative Plaque
Reading Civic Society worked with Reading Borough Council and Reading Museum from summer 2024 to identify sources of funding to commission a new commemorative plaque the mark Jane Austen’s time at school in Reading. The plaque was erected in June 2025 on the eastern wall of the Abbey Gateway to replace the previous almost illegible ... Read more
Workhouses, Inns & Vestries – Talk (6 Nov 2025 )
Talk on Workhouses, Inns & Vestries: How Reading parishes cared for their poor in the 18C
Bracknell before the New Town – Walk (12 June & Presentation 12 April 2025 )
Talk and walk based on 'The Story of Bracknell: Before the New Town' by Andrew Radgick. Taking place in April & June 2025
Pride of Reading Awards 2024
These awards have taken place since 2004, making 2024 the 20th anniversary. This year there were 23 award categories with each having a worthy winner. Here at the Reading Civic Society we are very pleased to see the Thames Lido receive the ‘Putting Reading on the Map’ award at a ceremony in the Madejski Stadium ... Read more