Yesterday morning I took a tour of the Museum for English Rural Life. One of MERL’s prize exhibits is this large batik and fabric dyed mural depiction of the English countryside in Kent, (painstakingly created by ladies in the mid 20th Century).

I also spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of residents interested in Reading’s heritage. They were participating in a series of tours of two of Reading’s Central conservation areas to celebrate National Civic Day – which is promoting the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Conservation Areas. Our historical structures truly make Reading special. I am pictured here with Richard Bennett, Chair of the Civic Society in Reading.