READING Borough Council is hosting an event to celebrate 75 years of the county’s archives.
Our Favourites is a new exhibition which will see a number of items of significance selected by staff from the Royal Berkshire Archives to tell the stories of the county’s past.
Many exhibits date back centuries, including deeds from the collection from as far back as the mid-1300s, which show the property of Binfield’s Adam Lambard being placed in trust so that it could be passed to his wife, Christina.
More than 30 exhibits will be placed on display, with items such as documents relating to care for plague victims in Reading, a parade over Windsor Bridge, and a pamphlet from Common Peace Camp.
More recent exhibits include a volume of the Yellow Pages, with the archive holding the national collection of such directories.
It follows a visit by the Duke of Gloucester last week in honour of its 75th anniversary and recent name change.
As the only Royal county in England, all six of the borough councils in Berkshire jointly applied for the Royal seal of approval for what was then the Berkshire Record Office.
After the application was approved by the Cabinet Office, it was officially given the new name on Thursday, August 10.
The new name reflects not only the historical significance of the archives’ contributions to preservation but also their commitment to preserving a number of collections link to Berkshire as a Royal county.
During his visit, the Duke was given a preview of the exhibition ahead of its public opening today, November 20.
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader “Our Favourites brings to light the hidden gems of Reading and Berkshire’s past, and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of the county throughout history.
“We are delighted to celebrate 75 years of the Royal Berkshire Archives.
“This exhibition is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the rich history and heritage of Berkshire–don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the past and celebrate 75 years of preserving Berkshire’s historical treasures.”
The Our Favourites exhibition is showing at the Royal Berkshire Archives, Coley Avenue, Reading, until February 2 next year.
More details, including opening times, are available via: royalberkshirearchives.org.uk
