In the Aftermath of Empire: Postcolonial Careering of Former Colonial Experts

This seminar examines former British colonial officials and staff with post-independence careers in overseas development, including some with links to the University of Reading. Many continued to work in former colonial territories, including for international agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization. These histories help to deepen understanding of how the last generation of […]
STEVEN CLAYDON – THE OUTSIDE IN AT THE MERL

As part of a major new commission for Reading International, artist and curator Steven Claydon has created three sculptural installations for the galleries of The Museum of English Rural Life. Objects from Claydon’s personal collection, gathered from across the world, and new sculptural works have been introduced into the displays to explore how we attach […]
READING FILM TRAIL

The London Short Film Festival (LSSF) has curated a special visual film trail responding to Reading’s waterways, heritage and communities for the Reading on Thames festival. Renowned as “the best short film festival in the world!”, the London Short Film Festival has been recognised as the premiere UK showcase for cutting edge homegrown and international […]
The Lake District: Wordsworth’s Legacy

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]
“In the Churchway Paths to Glide”: Corpse Roads and Their Folklore

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]
Wheat and Rush, Weave and Ritual

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]
Laughter comes when we get caught off guard: The Country Show photographic project

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]
Cobbett in Conversation: From Rural Rides to Nature Writing

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]
LADYBIRD IN FOCUS: WOMEN

Who is your favourite female character in Ladybird Books? From the 1950s to the 1970s Ladybird Books were published on a huge range of subjects and, hidden within these volumes, distinct gender roles for women are portrayed and cemented. As a product of their time, Ladybird Books give an intriguing insight into post-World War Two […]
FOLKLORE AND THE MERL: ALL FOLK AND NO LORE?

The MERL Seminars: Land and Folk Land and folk have often been portrayed romantically. They routinely play a part in stories of nationhood and identity. Our understandings of them are deeply rooted in the past yet still brought regularly to the fore in contemporary explorations of the countryside. This series of talks and discussions offers […]