Friends of Reading Abbey - a Look Back at Past Events
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2023
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Friends' Annual Outing, 26th July
This year's Summer Outing on 26th July, was to St Bartholomew the Great church and The Charterhouse, in the City of London, both within a short walking distance of each other. We gathered in Reading Station for our journey via the Elizabeth Line, which had a few problems on the day – but we made it! From Farringdon Station, our walk took us past the house of John Betjeman and Smithfield Market. We visited the beautiful St Bartholomew the Less church and then on to the church of St Bartholomew the Great. Both were established in 1123, just 2 years after Reading Abbey by Rahere, a courtier and favourite of King Henry I. Built in the Romanesque style, we had a glimpse of how splendid Reading Abbey might have looked. In the afternoon, our group were given a guided tour of The Charterhouse, a Carthusian priory founded in 1371 just outside the walls of London, which was dissolved in 1537. Like Reading, the abbot stood out against Henry VIII, refused to sign the Act of Supremacy, and was executed at Tyburn. Such a lot to see and admire here, including the newly refurbished Great Hall, Wash Court No.1 and Charterhouse Square and the Chapel. These photos, kindly supplied by Stephen Burt and Dianne Sykes, will give a flavour of an excellent day out.
Photo: Dianne Sykes
Photos: Dianne Sykes
Photo: Stephen Burt
Photo: Stephen Burt
Photos: Dianne Sykes
Photo: Dianne Sykes
Photo: Stephen Burt
Photo: Stephen Burt
Photo: Stephen Burt
Photo: Stephen Burt
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Water Fest, 10th June
The sun blazed down as the Friends of Reading Abbey set up their stand at 9.30am. We were within the beautiful South Transept along with other heritage groups and throughout the day were pleased to say hello to members who stopped by for a chat or buy one of the many books on the Abbey that we had on sale. As temperatures reached 30C, people were keen to find shade, but quite a few children braved the heat to follow our Abbey Trail and two adults were keen to follow it too! Crowds also gathered to watch the acts on the nearby acoustic stage, and here are just a small selection of photos from the day. Once again, Waterfest received great support from the public, a free event organised by Reading Borough Council, in partnership with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.
Photos kindly supplied by Dianne Sykes:
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Walk following the course of the Holy Brook, 31st May
Nine of us gathered at Sheffield Bottom Picnic Area (near Theale) on a sunny morning in May, to follow the Holy Brook from source to confluence. Our leader for the 6-mile walk was Steve Vale of Loddon Valley Ramblers, which was fortunate, as the party would have got lost without him! The route took us through meadows and narrow paths, and it felt a million miles away from the busy streets of Reading. We passed Coley Park Farm where the beautiful 16th century dovecote is said to include stones from Reading Abbey. Other places of interest included the Walled Garden and Cottage and the sites of the Coley Branch Railway Line and Coley Men’s Bathing Place. We had various sightings of the Holy Brook along the walk but at Reading, it flows under the town centre only to be seen at intervals, emerging by The Oracle and Central Library before joining the north channel of the river Kennet. A big thank you to Steve who ably returned our group back to central Reading.
Photos of the Holy Brook walk kindly supplied by Heather Young:
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Reading Walks Festival, 10th - 14th May
Over the period 10th - 14th May, this Festival featured more than 30 guided walks around the Reading area. Two of the walks were hosted by the Friends of Reading Abbey:
on Friday 12th May a walk "Reading and Caversham Pilgrimage Sites" through the Abbey ruins and around sites in Caversham
on Sunday 14th May the "Reading Abbey Quarter Circular Walk" was a tour around the Abbey ruins and nearby sites.
Both walks were led by the Friends' secretary John Painter.
These photos of the Reading and Caversham Pilgrimage Sites walk were kindly supplied by Heather Young:-
Over Caversham Weir past the Reading Hydro building
On Mill Green, towards the path to Deans Farm
St Anne's church with the shrine chapel. The shrine within the chapel can be glimpsed through the squint beneath the shelter
The interior of St Anne's church and the shrine statue of Our Lady and Child
St Anne's Well on Priest Hill
The William Marshal interpretation panel on the East jetty on Caversham Bridge
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2022
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A great day out in Abingdon Oxon, Wednesday 3 August
On Wednesday 3 August, a large group of members arrived in Abingdon for the Friends’ annual outing. We headed over the bridge to the Abingdon Abbey Buildings where we had coffee in the Lower Hall. Here we were given a brief summary of the history of Abingdon Abbey by members of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust. Nothing now remains of the abbey church, but some associated monastic buildings do still exist. We enjoyed a guided tour of these splendid survivors, which included the Granary (Unicorn Theatre), Checker Hall, Long Gallery, Guildhall and St Nicolas Church. After lunch we moved on to St Helen’s Church and the Long Alley Almshouses. Lastly, the Abingdon Town Museum, which is housed in the County Hall. Abingdon is a town of rich history and wonderful medieval buildings, and a visit is HIGHLY recommended. The Friends of Reading Abbey are extremely grateful to members of the Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust for giving so generously of their time and knowledge. Thanks also go to John Painter and Francoise Le Saux for making all the arrangements.
Thanks to Dianne Sykes for the text and to Chris Widdows for these photos taken during the day.
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Caversham Court Gardens, "Canine Capers" dog show, Sunday 24th July
The Friends of Reading Abbey joined with the Friends of Reading Museum and Reading Civic Society to host stands alongside the dog show organised by the Ways and Means Trust. Although it was sunny, a boisterous wind made it impracticable to put up a gazebo so the stands were displayed al fresco. There were plenty of visitors to the event and many dropped by to look at our displays and have a chat.
These photos of the event were kindly supplied by Chris Widdows.
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Reading Water Fest and celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Saturday 4th June
After two days of good weather, the grey skies and drizzle of the morning of Saturday 4 June did not bode well. The spirits of the FORA committee were not dampened however as we erected the gazebo and made our stand ready. At 11 a.m. the hardy people of Reading (and beyond) began to arrive and by the afternoon the vast crowds were basking in warm sunshine! The Friends of Reading Abbey stand drew a lot of interest and sales of books on the Abbey and the history of Reading were brisk. The History Trail for children was also very popular, providing the chance for them to stop and learn about the abbey as they followed the clues. The Mayor, Councillor Rachel Eden stopped by for a chat, as did Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East. Along Chestnut Walk there were painted boats; workshops; food and drink in the Forbury – and great live music on all 3 stages. The Ding Dong Daddios were the first act on the Global Stage and soon had the crowd dancing. Later, the Prolisok Ukrainian Dance Group performed folk dances, and were very warmly received. A big thank you to all those involved in organising the event and to the public for their enthusiastic support on the day. Reading Borough Council and the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust are to be congratulated on a most successful WaterFest 2022! Here are some photos of the event, kindly supplied by Dianne Sykes:-
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2021
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Launch of the Reading pilgrim's trail, Saturday 24th July
Photos from the walk which took place to mark the display at St James church of the relic Hand, and the launch of the Reading for Modern Pilgrims map guide, reported on the News page, 7 July 2021 article.
The group meeting outside St James Church, being welcomed by Robin Dorkings (left), leader of the Thames Valley group of the Confraternity of St James.
The carved head, recently added to the Inner Gateway of the last Abbot of Reading, Hugh Faringdon; and part of the group walking by the River Thames towards Caversham Lock.
Viewing the statue of Our Lady and Child through the external squint in the wall of the shrine chapel of the Church of Our Lady and Saint Anne; and the statue itself. For further information about the shrine and statue see the St Anne's Church history page.
The secretary of the Friends of Reading Abbey, John Painter, and the Mayor of Reading, Councillor David Stevens; and the Holy Well of St Anne on Priest Hill, Caversham.
Thank you to Dianne Sykes for supplying the photos
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Reading Water Fest and Reading Abbey's 900th anniversary celebration, Saturday 19th June
After a year off because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Reading Water Fest returned in 2021. This year it was also the flagship event to celebrate 900 years since Reading Abbey was founded by King Henry I.
Pandemic restrictions were still in place: numbers were limited to 4000, with one entry point and a one way system through the Forbury Gardens leading into the Abbey ruins. Nevertheless, Reading Borough Council put on an impressive programme, with dozens of performances, workshops and stands throughout the festival area. All the tickets had been booked well before the date for this, one of the early major events following the pandemic lockdowns, and people were glad to be able to meet up, circulate and generally enjoy themselves.
The Friends of Reading Abbey had a stand located in the South Transept of the ruins, along with other heritage groups, and a steady flow of visitors came through during the day, to browse through the leaflets, buy the books and Reading Abbey 900 badges which were for sale, and chat with the Fora stallholders.
We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Reading, Councillor David Stevens, to the Fora stand. His visit can be seen in the photos below, these were kindly supplied by Heather Young.
Below are photos taken around Water Fest, kindly supplied by Dianne Sykes and David Shephard. There are additional photos on the
Friends of Reading Abbey Facebook page and on the Reading Water Fest Facebook page.
