Events

Programme Autumn 2026

Board Games

last Thursday of each month 4pm to 6 or 7pm

Park House

Contact: James Finnerty - j.finnerty@reading.ac.uk

We play modern board and card games and on rarer occasions, social deduction games. These have included 'Knarr - a viking exploration tableau builder', 'Bomb Busters - work together to defuse the bomb', 'Horrified - defeat classic monsters of cinema using teamwork', 'Hitster - a music guess the year game', 'Tortuga 1776 - a game which will have you second guessing everything you think you know about the other players loyalties', 'Betrayal at House on the Hill - everybody enters, but will everybody leave'. Those are a few of the games we play and a jist behind them, we switch around games quite a lot.

Jonathan Mitchley

2^nd October 6pm

SCR Park House

Contact: scr@reading.ac.uk

It is with great sadness that we heard about the death of Dr. Jonathan Mitchley, who was a former Senior Steward of the SCR. Please do join friends and colleagues on 2nd Oct 2026 (Friday) from 6 pm at SCR, Park House for drinks, nibbles and many memories of our beloved friend.

Please also feel free to offer any recollections and reflections also (not obligatory obviously).

Sloe walk

11^th October

Reading station or Thatcham

Book via: Julie Hawkins - j.hawkins@reading.ac.uk

Meet at Reading station to catch the 11:43 train to Thatcham (or meet at Thatcham station at 11:59). A gentle walk (mostly flat - just one gentle hill) approx 6 miles, - to Greenham Common and back. Bring a container for your sloes and a packed lunch. We will stop at the control tower cafe on Greenham Common after lunch. Aiming for a train back mid to late afternoon, depending on pace and how long people would like to spend at the control tower. 

Over the years, many walkers have joined Jonathan and me on SCR various different sloe walks. We did this walk last year, collecting cornelian cherries as well as sloes. We will be following in our own footsteps, sharing some memories as well as each other's company and the autumn bounty.

Botanical Rhapsody

25^th October 3pm-4pm - Acacias

Contact: Annette Haworth - a.haworth@reading.ac.uk

The Friends of the University invite members of the SCR and guests to a cup of tea to help them think about how to show this amazing parody of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody (as recorded by the Dairy Project, a University choral group) at the Friends 100th anniversary exhibition to be held in May 2027. 

Monthly Nectar - in honour of Annette's 80th

30^th October at 6pm

Park House

Contact: SCR Committee - scr@reading.ac.uk

Annette is the SCR Honorary Treasurer and has served the Common Room for many years. Her knowledge of the workings and history of the organisation is unsurpassed so please come along to raise a glass in celebration and maybe find out some more about our history! No need to book. Drinks paid for by the glass.

Remembrance Day

11^th November 10.45am

Whiteknights - London Rd - Greenlands

Contact: events@reading.ac.uk

Dear Senior Common Room Members,
I would like to invite you to join staff, students and members of the local community for a brief service of memorial to mark Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November. Together, we will remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country as well as students and staff who have passed away over the last year.
Short services will be held at each of our UK campuses, led by senior University colleagues and supported by our Chaplains. All are welcome, of all faiths and none.
I invite you to gather at your most convenient location at 10:45am on Wednesday 11 November. Services will be held as follows:

• Greenlands campus: Flagpole near the cattle grid
• London Road campus: Peace Garden
• Whiteknights campus: Rear flagpole (between the Library and Whiteknights House)
  Kind regards
  Katie Newport, University Events Team

Music at Acacias: Open Mic session

13^th November from 6pm

Acacias

Contact: Louise Johnson - l.j.johnson@reading.ac.uk

Come along to share a song or play a piece - all types and genres of music are welome.

Note that the Mic in the event title is metaphorical and we only have an acoustic set-up (ie a piano and some ears). Please feel free to bring your own kit, in consultation with the event organisers.

BYOB, preferably from the SCR wine shop if you can (open Thursdays and Fridays 1-2pm). We can supply empty glasses.

Soft drink and light snacks provided, suggested donation £5. Performers with get a glass of wine. Please bring along your fan-base!

email Louise if you'r planning to come, whether to perform or not, to give idea of numbers.

Wine Tasting: Slovenian Wines

20^th November at 6pm for 6.30pm

Park House SCR Meeting Room

Book: scr@reading.ac.uk Members £22.50 Guests £27.50

Slovenia, formerly a region of Yugoslavia has an advanced winemaking sector which is beginning to make inroads internationally. The tasting will be hosted by Solaris Wines, https://solariswines.co.uk/. In their words:

Solaris Wines offers new, different, authentic and great value wines in the UK from relatively unknown wine regions and small producers, who often sell locally and don’t normally export. At this tasting we will focus on wines from Slovenia. Showcasing three suppliers based in three distinct wine regions from the country. The grapes will include indigenous varietals and some better-known international grapes.

Ticket price includes snacks. One guest per member is allowed, which we will relax if there are spare tickets. Please note your booking will be remain unconfirmed until payment has been made in advance of the event. A maximum of 20 people can attend this event so book early to avoid disappointment.

Hosts for the evening: Andrew from Solaris Wines, Nick Bardsley, Wine Steward

Members and guests who take part in SCR events are asked to note that they do so at their own risk, and neither the SCR nor its members accept liability for any mishaps.