For 75 years AWE has proudly played a role of critical national importance, helping to deliver the UK’s nuclear deterrent. In 1950 Aldermaston became the site of the UK government’s atomic weapons programme, initially named ‘High Explosive Research’, under the supervision of British Manhattan Project veteran William Penney. […]

Edwina was married to Lord Louis Mountbatten and was one of the wealthiest women in Britain. She had a very hard start to life but once she moved to London she was the darling of the social set – World War II put an end to all that […]

Talk starts with an overview of Henry’s life – Ian puts forward two reasons for why he behaved so badly in his later years. A brief outline of both Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn’s lives and the plot against Anne, finishing with a few notes on Jane Seymour […]

In 2026 the University of Reading celebrates the 100th anniversary of the granting of its charter, the only UK university to be created between World War I and II. The talk outlines the university’s history from its origins in Reading town centre in the late 1800s and its links […]

Alan Turton is a military historian specializing in the English Civil War and the following period.The talk will cover the story of the ordinary British soldier at the time of the expansion of the empire in Canada and India as well as threats of invasion at home. We […]

Alan Turton is a military historian and will talk about Basing House from its Tudor origins to it’s role in the English Civil War. Alan was curator at Basing House for twenty four years and has been involved in Civil War re-enactments at the site. Share this page

Why was the Spitfire fighter so important to Britain? Why was it produced in sheds and garages spread around Central Southern England? What was built in Hangar 5, Tadley? What happened to Hangar 5? Are there any Tadley Spitfires left Richard of TADS Project Group will tell us […]

The British love their pubs and history suggests our enjoyment of beer and brewing is longstanding. This talk is a gentle and hopefully amusing ramble through the history of brewing, breweries and pubs from Romans to the present day, with some examples of local pubs and breweries. As […]

Medieval Knights, Chaucer, a queen of France and a Civil War siege all feature in the story of Donnington Castle just outside Newbury. A small castle on a hilltop with commanding views. Only the gatehouse and an outline of the walls survive. Local historian David Peacock will talk […]

Three men – one kingdom – two great battles and an amazing embroidery. Was Harold the rightful king of England ? What changed ? In this talk Mike Cooper looks at England in 1066, at the rival claimants to the throne and the available evidence for what happened […]

A brief look at the story of  The Army Service Corps 1914-1918. Revealing a story of evolution, ‘passing the buck’ and meddling civilians. Share this page

Maureen will describe her childhood and growing up in the Greenham Common area. Share this page

Industrial and railway historian  Richard Marks will explore the impact of WW II upon Britain’s railways, and the important role that Britain’s four railway companies had in achieving victory in WW II. Discover the war work that was undertaken in the railway company works across the country and […]

A TADS talk by Richard Marks Monday 12th February 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The railways came to Berkshire in the middle of the nineteenth century and according to history changed everything and created huge growth in the local […]

A TADS talk by Colin Oakes Monday 11th March 2024; 8.00 pm at Heath End Village Hall, Heath End Road, Baughurst, RG26 5LU The Versailles treaty of 1919 ended the war against Germany, but it is also seen as a great folly. It is more than 100 years […]