Latest News

IMPORTANT: Temporary change of venues for the Autumn Term Unfortunately we will be unable to use the planned venue at Brock Barracks for the Autumn short courses.This is due to a delayed  refurbishment of the building. Study days are unaffected.We have booked alternative accommodation for the courses as follows:New Directions South ReadingNutrition and HealthThe Architecture of FranceProblems of Growth and GlobalisationAcross the Pond: Art & Architecture of the USASymbolist Art in… More >
Music and Colour - an Interdisciplinary Approach "Music and Colour" is arguably unique among WEA courses. It should appeal not just to musicians , but just as much to lovers of art, architecture, history and science. Interdisciplinary studies, often ignored in many curricula, provide a holistic approach to assessing the multiple sources which drive inspiration and creativity. In this fascinating course, Tony Short will examine the way the representative arts have cross-fertilised… More >
9 am, 19 June 2017 - Exciting New Courses for 2017-18 There is something to suit all tastes and interests in our 2017-18 programme. And that’s in huge part due to the great suggestions we receive from you, our students. So, thank you. When we organise our programme, we obviously concentrate on popular subjects with tutors who have a solid following. Yet we always aim to introduce new contemporary topics which open up new perspectives and… More >
22 May 2017 - New Brochure Released Our new brochure covers the Autumn term of 2017 and the Spring and Summer terms of 2018. It contains 33 daytime short courses and 14 Saturday study days.You can view or download the brochure by clicking on the "Current Brochure" link at the bottom of the page.In his Introduction, John Beale, our Chairman, writes,"The WEA offers a wide-ranging curriculum and we do all that we… More >
14 December 2016 - Janet Kent on the Anne Diamond Show BBC Radio Berkshire Janet Kent, one of our committee members, talks to Sarah Walker on the BBC Radio Berkshire's Anne Diamond Show. The topic is Reading WEA's 2017 programme and Janet speaks eloquently from the point of view of a WEA student and a committee member.She describes how she found out about Reading WEA and her experience as a student in a Philosophy class. She enjoyed the intellectual… More >
25 November 2016 - Annual General Meeting WEA Reading Branch invites you to our AGM on Friday 25th November 2016 at 10.30 - 11:30 am at The Annex, New Directions North Reading, Archway Road, Caversham RG4 8XHPlease join us to review current progress and discuss forthcoming challenges for the BranchSee which courses have proved most popularPreview courses that are planned… More >
10 October - The 2016/2017 Music Programme The 2016/17 programme is now under way, and for music lovers there is a unique opportunity to devote Saturday 4 November to an in-depth study of one of the world’s most popular and endearing operas. Richard Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier” was an instant success when premiered in 1911, and no less than 58 productions have been staged worldwide in the last four years alone. Strauss excelled… More >
18 August 2016 - Reading Museum's Railway Exhibition - Public Events On Track: Reading’s Railways, Past, Present and FutureRunning: From: 21 May 2016 To: 14 Jan 2017Venue: Reading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QHJump on board for this incredible journey through an extraordinary story, told with stunning imagery and must-see exhibits. The railway has been at the heart of Reading life since 1840 when the first passenger train left for London, pulled by a steam-powered engine… More >
18 March - Free Magna Carta Study Day A study day on the Magna Carta is to be run by WEA Southern Region on 18 March at the OCVA Training Room, The Old Courthouse, Floyds' Row, Oxford, OX1 1SS. It is entitled "Roots of Democracy - Learning from the Magna Carta 1015 - 2015". For more information call Cynthia Briant on 01608 677913 or email: cbriant@wea.org.uk To book a place go to  More >
9 August 2015 - How it All Began... Adult education classes of the sort now provided by the Reading Branch of the WEA were formerly largely the preserve of Reading University’s School of Continuing Education. As many of you will know, some years ago the University announced the closure of its SCE. A campaign began to try to persuade the University to change its mind, but to no avail. So a group of… More >