Reading to Mark Great War Centenary

Plans for a programme of activities in Reading to commemorate this year’s centenary of the First World War were given a significant boost this week when it was announced the Ministry of Defence is providing a Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Fund valued at £10,000 to Reading Museum.

The funding will pay for a poet in residence and the publication of military heritage leaflets. It comes after Reading Museum promised to work with local armed forces to develop wider appreciation of challenges they face in everyday life.

The town centre museum is preparing an exhibition opening in April called ‘Reading at War’. The exhibition – which is part of wider initiatives to mark the centenary – will feature unique artefacts and images and explore the impact war has had on Reading though the ages. Conflicts to be represented include 9th century Viking raids and the English Civil War siege of 1643. The more recent account of the Second World War will focus on the devastating air raid on Reading town centre in 1943 that killed 41 people.