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Riverside detail - Walks into History
This Chess Valley Walk into History was oversubscribed as of 11th June
CHESS VALLEY U3A
Proposed visit to Wallingford town, Museum and Castle on 21st July 2010
for the Walks into History Group
We are planning a visit to the historic town of Wallingford on the Thames on 21st July.
Wallingford is a delightful historic town originally established by King Alfred to act as a garrison to protect the north eastern border of Mercia with Dane Land to the north. Its castle dates from about that time and was developed by William the Conqueror as a strategic position to defend the main fordable crossing of the Thames west of London. Later the castle was strengthened and extended by various kings and formed an unassailable stronghold for the Royalists in the English Civil War.
The outing is planned to start at the Museum in the Castle grounds at 10.30am where we shall have a talk on the history of the town and castle by Judy Dewey, the leading local historian, followed by a walk around the town and riverside and lunch. After lunch at 2.00pm we shall meet by the bridge and have a 11/2 hrs tour of the castle led by Judy as our Guide including a visit to the archaeological dig at the site of a ‘main gate’ by the riverside that was discovered last year by geophysics and a trial trench. Judy is an enthusiastic expert as we found out on the TVN Thames Towns Study Day where she gave the talk on Wallingford.
Wallingford Museum charge £7 per person including the admittance, introductory talk, guided tour of castle grounds and remains and the visit to the dig, which is a bargain!
We should aim to be at the Museum between 10-10.30am for coffee before the start at 10.30am. You can park in the nearby Long-Stay car park in Goldsmiths Lane.
Please advise me by e-mail if you would like to go on
this one-off offer asap, as I would like to book it up and there is a
limit of about 20 for the party size.
There are no
places left
The
morning walk, taking in the sites of the town's former industries, will
attempt to explain the growth of Reading between the two rivers, the Thames
and the Kennet
In the afternoon
there will be a PowerPoint presentation on Reading's architecture at the
Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square (just behind the Central Library)
Drivers should meet Dennis Johnson, the walk leader, at 10.00am on Reading
Bridge (easy parking nearby) They will then walk in a group to Abbey Baptist
Church.
Those on public transport can go straight to Abbey Baptist Church arriving
between 10.00 and 10.30.
After coffee and registration the walk will proceed, leaving the church
at 10.30 It will be a 2hr. walk finishing in the town centre at 12.30.
Please bring a packed lunch (free tea/coffee available at Abbey Baptist
Church) or eat in the town centre
Re-assemble at Abbey Baptist Church at 1.30pm. for presentation on Reading
Architecture.
Places are limited.
Please book your place by sending your name, U3A, telephone number and
email address to Mrs. M. Trout at 7 West Chiltern, Woodcote, Reading
RG8 OSG enclosing a cheque for £4, payable to Reading U3A, and an
SAE if you require a receipt.
Date of Walk: Fri. 25 March 2011
Start time: 10.00am for 10.15am At Christ Church Main Entrance.
Distance: 5 miles.
Finish: Wolvercote after lunch, *bus back to Oxford. (*Bring bus pass if you have one)
Reading U3A
TOWN STUDY – HIDDEN READING – May 11th, June 8th, Abbey Baptist Church, Reading, 2 p.m. July 13th, times and venues to be confirmed.
Reading U3A’s Town Study Group chooses three towns each year to study and to visit. We have three monthly meetings for each town– two meetings where members present the results of their researches into the current town, and then in the following month we have a trip to the town with a guided walk and visits to places of interest. Recent towns have included Farnham, Marlborough, Romsey, and we are currently studying Letchworth Garden City.
We have decided, as part of the Riverside Project, to concentrate on Reading as our next town. We will be looking at “Hidden Reading” – aspects of the town which are little known, even to our own members. In May and June we will meet at Abbey Baptist Church (behind Reading Central Library) and hear from those members who have volunteered to research different topics and present their findings, and then in July we will organise some walks and visits. The only charge for the May and June meetings will be 40p for tea and biscuits; for the July walks and visits there may be a small charge (we will be able to confirm this when the programme has been finalised).
We would be delighted if members of other
U3As in the Thames Valley Network would like to join us for any or all of those
three meetings. If you would like to
come, or would like further details, please contact me by telephone, text or
email.
Avis Furness, Reading U3A, 0118 946 2186, 07960 588084, akfurness@aol.com
Amanda, a blue cross guide
will gently walk us around the interesting and informative sights and buildings
of historic
Don't miss this entertaining event
£5.25pp to secure your
place, to Mrs Jackie Taylor,
Enquiries to email
jackie@taylorpost.com..
Timetable
11.00-----The walking party meets on Reading Bridge and sets out from there, taking a picnic lunch. Lin Godfrey will be the walk leader.
2.00pm---The boating party embarks at Caversham jetty (next to the Crowne Plaza)
2.45pm---The two groups join forces at Mapledurham and have a guided tour of the House and Watermill.
5.00pm---Everyone embarks for the return journey.
5.45pm---Arrival in Caversham
The walkers may have a short time to wait at Mapledurham for the arrival of the boat but they can use the time to explore the grounds, where there are some interesting trees and statues, and perhaps visit the church.
Caversham is only a very short bus ride from Reading Town Centre
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