Press Release: Celebrating our sporting heritage as Olympic torch arrives
As the crowds gather to welcome the Olympic torch to Reading, the Museum of English Rural life at the University of Reading is reflecting the influence English country heritage has had in world sport – including helping provide the spark for the modern Olympics. The torch will come to Reading on Tuesday evening (10 July), […]
Press Release: University recognised for giving volunteers a great experience
The University of Reading Museums and Special Collections Service (UMASCS) has been recognised for the outstanding opportunities and support it offers its volunteers. UMASCS has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers Standard from Volunteering England, marking it as an organisation committed to good practice and of volunteering excellence. The news coincides with the start of […]
Press Release: Join the Jubilee fun at Museum fete this June!
Free craft workshops, morris dancing and pedalling your own smoothies! These are just some of the attractions families can enjoy at this year’s Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) Annual Village Fete on Saturday 9 June. MERL, which is owned and managed by the University, has been hosting the popular event on their Redlands Road […]
Photo opportunity: MERL offers a 'green welcome'!
Photo opportunity on April 19th, 12pm – the press are invited to photograph BTCV and MERL volunteers putting the final touches to MERL’s front garden – building hedgehog homes, bird baths and mini-beast hotels The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), which is owned and managed by the University of Reading, has been working towards […]
MERL Fellowship scheme for 2012-13
Applications are now being invited for the Gwyn E. Jones MERL Fellowship scheme for 2012-13, tenable for up to twelve months, to support research in subject areas associated with the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) at the University of Reading. The closing date is 11 May 2012. Successful proposals attract a stipend of up to […]
Local people invited to take part in 'Project Berkshire'
MERL is asking for local people to contribute ideas for a project that is producing a record of the Berkshire countryside. MERL, which is owned and managed by the University of Reading, is currently hosting Field work: photographs from East Anglia, an exhibition of photographer Justin Partyka’s work exploring the lives of those whose identity stems […]
'Your Project Berkshire' photography competition launched
The Museum of English Rural Life has teamed up with Reading Post/getreading to invite the public to record their favourite rural places in Berkshire and win great prizes. As part of his ‘Field Work’ exhibition currently at MERL, Justin Partyka has been commissioned by the Museum, thanks to an Arts Council grant, to capture images of […]
Special guest Taffy Thomas, launches new series of 'Songs, stories & traditions' folk events
The Storyteller Laureate, Taffy Thomas, will be performing at the Museum of English Rural Life on March 20th. The Museum (MERL), which is owned and managed by the University of Reading, will be welcoming Taffy Thomas as the first guest of local folk singer Hilary James in her ‘Song, stories and traditions’ folk series. In this […]
Welcome to MERL news
Welcome to the MERL news blog, where you will find stories relating to the Museum’s collections, projects, events and activities. It will be a place to keep up to date with what’s happening at the Museum on a regular basis. The posts will be written by the Marketing Officer, with contributions also from our Curators, Archivists, Learning […]