This is the second talk in the Spring Potpourri Series. The large raid on Dieppe in August 1942 was a complete failure. However, it provided important lessons to the allies which, complemented by experiences of landings in North Africa during Operation Torch, made the D-Day Landings in 1944 a success. One of the key lessons learned was that special equipment and new tactics were needed to successfully mount an invasion. The technology of D-Day resulted from those lessons. But what did miniature submarines and divers have to do with the D-Day landings?

Love books and reading? Learning new things? Over recent years. Berkshire Family History Society has been given many pre-loved books to sell. These are predominantly local history, family history and social history books - although we also have a fair number of military and transport history books, plus others. If "history" is your thing - then come along and grab a bargain. We need to clear the decks a little so everything will be out on display. Plus we will also have some of our extensive bookshop of new books, maps and publications available to purchase, including our data CDs.

Informal discussion group, facilitated by Chad Hanna and Gillian Stevens. Topics are chosen by the group on a monthly basis. End time varies. Free to attend, but pre-booking required. 

This historical walk around Caversham will encompass much of central Caversham and will end at St Peter's Church and graveyard, from where you could walk through to Caversham Court Gardens for tea and cake at the kiosk. It is led by an architectural historian and the long-time chairman of the Caversham and District Residents Association.

This is the third talk in the Houses and Estates Talks Series. This talk reveals how an estate on the north bank of the Thames was a surprising tour de force in global events from the Norman Conquest to the threat of Soviet annihilation. The Manor of Caversham was embroiled in the Reformation, owned by cousins of Elizabeth I, entertained the first two Stuart Kings, and then became a prison for Charles I. Discover its role in the Glorious Revolution, the War of Spanish Succession, and its connections to the American War of Independence. The estate became a refuge in the First World War, and was taken over by the BBC during the Second.

The 49th AGM of Berkshire Family History Society. This is a great opportunity for those of you who haven’t previously been able to attend an AGM, to join this important part of the governance of the society. Meet other members of the society, hear about the society during 2023/2024 and find out the plans ahead. Questions and debate are encouraged. We welcome all members, wherever you may live.

Yet to visit The Centre for Heritage and Family History and would like to know what’s available there and how it can help your family history research? This tour will introduce you to the facilities of the Centre and also those within the adjoining Local Studies Library. 

Our D-Day event begins with a fish and chips lunch and then rounds off our season of talks marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, with a talk by Mike Cooper on the main events of D-Day itself. "D-Day" wasn't a single event, but many. Mike will look at the context for the landings, the planning and assumptions behind the actions of both sides, and at each of the landing beaches from the US landings on "Utah" beach to the west, to "Sword" in the East.  The Day began with airborne landings during the night, and saw fighting until the following nightfall. This can't be a detailed study, but for anyone with a general interest, or with a relative involved in this enormous, complex operation, it'll be an introduction and overview to help you understand the nature and significance of what happened.