Open Group 2026

This Group is open to all and arranges monthly meetings of general interest which appeal to a wide range of people including those of other faiths and none. The Secretary is Mr Philip Cook. If you are interested you may contact him by phone on 0118 3766425. The programme of events for 2026 is available below.

All events in the Downshire Room @ 2.30pm - All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Square, Reading, RG1 6NN (unless otherwise stated)

PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR 2026

Wednesday 28th January - Inter Galactic Highway - how we communicate with spacecraft in space - talk by Dr Alison Johnston

Wednesday 25th February - Buses - my hobby - talk by Robert Williams (CEO Reading buses)

Wednesday 25th March - the Necropolis Railway (a railway line opened in 1854 to carry corpses and mourners between London and the newly opened Brookwood Cemetery) talk by David Morton (Chair Reading U3A)

Wednesday 22nd April - my childhood and working life - Jenny Henshall

Wednesday 27th May - Ayres and Grey-ces (Poems, Odes and Acoustic RnR)

Wednesday 17th June - My cruise to Antarctica and the Falklands - Dr Jane Sellwood

Wednesday 15th July (midday for 12.30pm) Annual Toby Carvery meal out

Wednesday 26th August - Bring & Share garden party at Kaikoura

Wednesday 23rd September - My travels in 2025 - Illustrated talk by Peter Scott

Wednesday 28th October - the Samaritans - still listening after all these years - Seamus Jennings

Wednesday 25th November - Black Gold Black Lungs - a talk on coal mining by Lionel Williams

Wednesday 9th December 3pm - 4pm Christmas Cream Tea - £4