Wargrave Local History Society
Meeting programme
Wargrave Local History Society
The 2025 - 2026 meeting programme
Tuesday April 8th 2025
Suttons Seeds
Richard Marks
Suttons Seeds has been a household name for 200 years, establishing a brand that is a cornerstone of British farming and horticulture. Dr. Richard Marks will demonstrate how, from its humble beginnings, the company became not only a cornerstone of British horticulture but also of global significance
Tuesday May 13th 2025
Reading library photograph collection
Katie Amos
Reading library holds over 20,000 photographs of the Berkshire area. Katie Amos will show you how to access them for yourself, and showcase a selection of the images, including some of Wargrave and the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Tuesday June 10th 2025
The History of Marlow 1651–1803: War to War
Geoff Wood
After the turbulence of the Civil War, Marlow’s fortunes and development stepped up apace as the Georgian building boom and major new industries transformed the town. Several larger than life individuals arrived from all directions to make their mark
Tuesday July 8th 2025
Local History Visit - Tilford Rural Life Museum
This year we will visit the Tilford Rural Life Museum, with its unique collection of re-located historic buildings and one of the largest collections of agricultural implements and objects from everyday life
Tuesday September 9th 2025
The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Sally Hughes
The present mill at Sonning dates from the 18th Century but it ceased milling flour in 1969. Tim and Eileen Richards transformed it into a theatre, which opened in 1982. Sally Hughes, their daughter, now runs it. She will explain how, with its popular theatre/dining format, The Mill welcomes returning audiences and has won awards
Tuesday October 14th 2025
Henley: the Victorian and Edwardian Town
Dr Michael Redley
Henley modernised rapidly in Victorian and Edwardian times. The population grew, new suburbs developed and town life became more liberal. The streets were improved, its centre was relocated and a modern drainage system was installed. What brought this about, who were the agents of change, and how did the town react?
Tuesday November 11th 2025
The Last Horse Dealers in Reading: Oliver Dixon
Caroline Piller
Caroline recounts the history of horse dealers in Reading in the 19th and early 20th century, including the Irish man, Oliver Dixon. Discover how Oliver ran his successful business and some fascinating tales about his life and philanthropy
Tuesday December 9th 2025
Christmas Party Event
Tuesday January 13th 2026
The Bull Hotel, Wargrave: a 15th Century former Coaching Inn
Jayne Worrall
Jayne has had three lives at The Bull, each one quite different. Her first tenancy started in January 1980. She will reveal what it's like living in a reputedly haunted house, and the changes both behind the bar and within Wargrave that she has witnessed over the years
Tuesday February 10th 2026
Trooper Potts VC
Richard Bennett DL, Brig Tony Verey QVRM TD DL and Capt Andrew French
Three members of the Trooper Potts VC Memorial Trust will explain why Fred VC became known as ‘The Hero with the Shovel’ for his deeds on the battlefield of Gallipoli in August 1915. He is commemorated in a statue in The Forbury, Reading, alongside a Roll of Honour of 426 other Berkshire Yeomen
Tuesday March 10th 2026
Annual General Meeting