Category: Events

Rain or Shine: The Pickwick Papers

The Pickwick Papers

The Rain or Shine Theatre Company is coming back to the Barn, Goosecroft (RG8 8DR), on Friday 26th June 2026, with a performance of “The Pickwick Papers”.

 

The performance will start at 7:00 pm, doors open 6:15 pm, bar available serving wine and soft drinks, card or cash.

Tickets cost £18 (adult) and £8 (child).

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Tickets are available from:

    • David Downs on 0118 942 4167 (cash only)
    • The ticket Hotline 03306 600541 (card only)
    • Website (booking fee applies, so the ticket price including fee will be £19.51/£8.67) www:ticketsource.com (card only)

As usual, an optional donation may be made after the performance to a local charity (details to be confirmed on the day).

This summer the Rain or Shine Theatre Company aims to guide you into the delightfully chaotic Victorian world of The Pickwick Papers, where misadventure and merriment collide in a whirlwind of Dickensian absurdity!

Join the lovable Mr. Pickwick and his eccentric band of companions as they bumble their way through confusing courtships, courtroom shenanigans, questionable duels, and carriage rides gone terribly wrong. Expect fast-paced wit, slapstick, more multi-rolling mayhem, and a cast of larger-than-life characters in this brand new and hilarious adaptation.

Dickens has never been this delightfully unpredictable! Secure your seat and prepare for an uproarious adventure with the Pickwick Society—where the only certainty is a thoroughly good time to be had by all!

The performance last for 2 ½ hours, including a 15-minute interval.

Visit to Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, 17th July 2026

 

Our main visit this year is a rare opportunity to tour a Royal property on the Windsor Great Park, about 3.5 miles from Windsor Castle.  No – not the one which has recently become vacant, but Cumberland Lodge, built in 1650 after Cromwell sold off lots in the park .  Following its return to the monarchy at the Restoration, it was the official residence of the Ranger of the Great Park.  Now occupied by an educational charity, past residents include Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough; Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, son of George II; and Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria.

Our visit includes a private tour of the house and concludes with a cream tea.  There is ample parking for Lodge visitors, and we shall meet in the car park.  The tour starts at 2:00 pm and the visit will finish at 4:00 pm.

Tickets cost £25 per person, pre-booking is required.  Numbers are limited, so don’t delay booking.

Summer Barbecue, 5th June 2026

We are delighted to once again be holding a summer BBQ this year, after a gap of seven years.  Over the years we have been generously hosted by a succession of members, and this year Suze Stevens-Wood and Ray Sewart have volunteered their garden at Old Timbers, 4 Beech Road.   This is an informal social evening and the chance to chat over some lovely food.

You are asked to bring a dish to share for either the salad or dessert table, a chair to sit on, plate, bowl, cutlery, glass and whatever you want to drink.  Arrive 7:00 pm for a 7:30 pm start.

There is a charge of £7 per person which covers a starter, BBQ meats, vegetarian options and other costs.  Pre-booking is required by 31st May.

Visit to Holy Trinity Church, Reading, 15th May 2026


Holy Trinity Church on the Oxford Road is about 500 metres West of the town centre.  Built in 1826, it appears in one of the earliest photos taken by Henry Fox Talbot, in 1840.  It is grade II listed, mainly because of its rood screen designed by Augustus Pugin.

Our tour begins at 2pm, led by Ron Cutting and includes a trip to the very fine crypt, which for many will be the highlight of our visit.

Tickets cost £5 per person, pre-booking is required, torches recommended.