Jenny Halstead, a fellow friend of the University and well-known as the founder of the Whiteknights Heritage Trail, is curating a special exhibition of works by local artists as part of Reading Year of Culture 2016 and to coincide with National Heritage Open Days.

You step out over the river Kennet in the Turbine House, once powered by the weir originally built by the Abbey’s monks. Also on the site is a small museum housing an exhibition on the rivers, a Reading-built Romany caravan and the Bel and the Dragon Restaurant in part of the old biscuit factory. Oh, and Thames Water is still using part of these Victorian buildings as a pumping station.

The special event for the Friends runs from 11.30 to 1pm. Come for a glass of wine, hear Jenny speak about curating the exhibition, explore this little nook of Reading’s history with our on-site trail (curated by Guja Bandini, lately of the Ure Museum) and browse the Two Rivers Press’ display of books on Reading. If you have time afterwards, the Bel and Dragon is generously offering a special rate on lunch to visitors to the exhibition.

Getting there: Follow the signs to Blake’s Lock Museum and Bel and the Dragon (crossed knife and fork and the brown museum sign) from the Forbury Road roundabout opposite the prison, near Homebase. Follow Kenavon Drive and turn right when you see Bel and the Dragon. There is free car-parking for museum and restaurant visitors.