MARTIN SIMPSON: SONG MAPS AND RIDGEWAYS: SONGWRITING AND LANDSCAPES

A black and white archive photo of sheep in a field being watched over by a shepherd leaning on a fence, for the seminar series

We welcome back our popular collaboration with the Department of English Literature for a third exciting seminar series, Writing the Rural. This year’s talks are chaired jointly by Dr Paddy Bullard and by our current Research Fellow, writer Suzy Joinson. Their guests include the usual inspiring mix of writers and literary thinkers, as well as […]

WRITING IN A TIME OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

A black and white archive photo of sheep in a field being watched over by a shepherd leaning on a fence, for the seminar series

We welcome back our popular collaboration with the Department of English Literature for a third exciting series, Writing the Rural. This year’s talks are chaired jointly by Dr Paddy Bullard and by our current Research Fellow, writer Suzy Joinson. Their guests include the usual inspiring mix of writers and literary thinkers, as well as folk musician […]

GRACEFUL CLODS: SOIL IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY POETRY

A black and white archive photo of sheep in a field being watched over by a shepherd leaning on a fence, for the seminar series

We welcome back our popular collaboration with the Department of English Literature for a third exciting series, Writing the Rural. This year’s talks are chaired jointly by Dr Paddy Bullard and by our current Research Fellow, writer Suzy Joinson. Their guests include the usual inspiring mix of writers and literary thinkers, as well as folk musician […]

LANDSCAPE OF PLAY: DESIGN FOR CHILDREN’S PLAY

Telford Road Adventure PLayground, Nottinghill

This year’s Friends of the Landscape Library and Archive at Reading (FOLAR) Symposium deals with design of children’s play and considers its future. There will be opportunities for discussion with question time after each talk and a general conversation with the speakers at the end of the day. Speakers Carley Sefton, Chief Executive, Learning Through […]

WRITING THE RURAL

A black and white archive photo of sheep in a field being watched over by a shepherd leaning on a fence, for the seminar series

We welcome back our popular collaboration with the Department of English Literature for a third exciting series, Writing the Rural. This year’s talks are chaired jointly by Dr Paddy Bullard and by our current Research Fellow, writer Suzy Joinson. Their guests include the usual inspiring mix of writers and literary thinkers, as well as folk […]

FRONTIERS: EXPLORING THE EDGE

Frontiers is a multi-site exhibition curated by third year Museum Studies students, showcasing the University of Reading’s diverse collections. Frontier: To be a frontier, or as a frontier; to border on or upon. Frontiers are seen as a physical border, but they can also act as conceptual borders of knowledge, actions, and discovery. Each subject […]

MORE THAN HUMAN

Close up of a Maria McKinney sculpture made from colourful semen straws and straw

Join us for an evening of drinks, live music, activities and talks on the theme of plants, animals and machinery Live music – Cocktails by Milk Reading – Silent Disco This Late explores the non-human countryside, showcasing research and creative practice from the University of Reading and beyond. Join us for an evening of weather, […]

A CONVERSATION WITH MARIA MCKINNEY

The head and eye of a large white bull with a sculpture from Sire an exhibition by Maria McKinney at The MERL

Meet Maria McKinney, the artist behind Sire., the new photographic and sculptural intervention in our galleries. Find out how her powerful visual commentary weaves together folk traditions, genetics, livestock, and fertility. Discover why The MERL and its ‘absolute units’ played an important role in her research processes. Join us for a colourful conversation set to […]

MARIA MCKINNEY: SIRE.

Photograph of large bull with a colourful sculpture on its back from Sire an exhibition by Maria McKinney

Sire. by Maria McKinney is an innovative exploration of the themes of selective breeding and genetics in contemporary cattle farming, directly informed by The MERL’s collections of livestock portraiture and straw craft. The exhibition consists of nine largescale photographic portraits, taken at an Irish stud farm, that depict bulls wearing eccentric, multi-coloured sculptures mounted on […]

CANCELLED: EARLY BIRDS: QUIET HOUR AT THE MERL

Family enjoying the new galleries at the Museum of English Rural Life quiet hour

Early Birds: Quiet Hour at The MERL Early birds is a quieter hour which provides an atmosphere in which to explore the museum, sensitive to the needs of visitors with autistic spectrum or other communication and sensory conditions. The session takes place every first Sunday of the month from 10 – 11am, during our usual opening […]

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    Visit Us

    The Museum is now fully open, following a major redevelopment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

    Free Admission

    The Museum of English Rural Life

    University of Reading

    Redlands Road

    Reading

    RG1 5EX

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