About Us

Reading branch is one of the older branches of the Embroiderers’ Guild and we will celebrate our 75th Anniversary in 2020.  Originally called the Berkshire Branch, many well known embroiderers have been associated with Reading Branch at some time, including Jan Messent, Marie Witworth, Lady Hamilton Fairly and Nenia Lovesey.

Meetings, speakers and workshops

We aim to run a varied programme of speakers, classes and workshops, covering varied aspects of embroidered textiles, from historical to modern mixed media techniques, including quilting, felt making, accessories and textiles from across the world.

We meet on the last Wednesday of the month (except August and December). The meetings begin at 1.30pm and the doors open at 12.30pm.  We invite Speakers to broaden our knowledge of wide ranging aspects of embroidery.  Visitors are welcome at £4 per meeting (Members - £3).

Our morning classes run from 10.00am and continue until 12.15pm.  Visitors are welcome but please contact us first to check that there is space in the class and for a requirements list.  The cost per class is £6 for both Members and visitors.  

We hold three to four workshops each year, allowing us to tackle more ambitious projects.  The day workshops are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 10.00am to 3.30pm.  The cost is £25 for both Members and visitors (excluding any kit costs).  Again, we would be grateful for visitors to contact us in advance to check on availability.  

We are a sociable group, holding a Christmas party in December, an annual lunch in January and enjoying a summer outing.  

Annual subscriptions are due in September each year. For 2019/20, the cost is £48 – comprising £38 subscription to the Embroiderers’ Guild and £10 to the Branch.  

Finding us 

We meet in David’s Hall, Park United Reformed Church, Palmer Park Avenue, Reading RG6 1DN.  Parking is available across Palmer Park Avenue from the Church (the Avenue is a one way street). The Church is also on the no. 17 bus route along Wokingham Road. The door to the church hall is kept locked but to the right of the door is a panel of bells. Ringing the one labelled David's Hall will bring someone to let you in. 

Branch Officers 2019/20

President: Heide Jenkins

Chair: Pauline Lawrence

Secretary: Cathy Garretty

Treasurer: Rosy Wilson

Programme Bookings: June Withers

Committee member: Maureen Pope, Angel Schmid, Shirley Stride, Val House

IT: Rosalind Dyer

Contacting us

Secretary (for General Enquiries) - Cathy Garretty

secretary@readingembroiderers.com

Chair - Shirley Collie

chair@readingembroiderers.com

Treasurer - Rosy Wilson

treasurer@readingembroiderers.com

Programme bookings - Lynne Brown

progsec@readingembroiderers.com