7 August 2020. The Mayor and Mayoress of Reading, the RBC Heritage Champion, some Trustees and tenants; Mills Archive, Weston & Co Architects and Reserve Forces Employment Association.
The Watlington House Trust is run by a group of volunteers who give their own time to run this beautiful building.
The building itself is Grade II* protected and set in trust, meaning no one owns or profits from the building. The Watlington House Trust (Charity Number: 1158378) was formed in 1929 to oversee the building and running costs, and ensure the aims of the building are met. Whilst the trustees themselves have changed over the years, the format which the Committee follows remains very much unchanged along with our goal; to be a Centre of Excellence for Social & Welfare Needs.
The Trust meets 4 times a year and holds its AGM in February. Our governing document is a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) Foundation. The Trust is run solely by its trustees, there is no voting membership and the AGM is open only to the Trustees, who are listed on the Charity Commission Website.
Further information about the Trust (Trustees, Governance, Financial Information) may be viewed on its page on the Charity Commission Website HERE, our number is 1158378.
We operate on a strictly non-profit basis, meaning no one other than tenants and the building itself can benefit. The income we receive is used to off set running costs and maintaining and refurbishing the building.
Learn more about Watlington House’s history Watlington House – History and in our Wikipedia article.
Who uses the House, Garden Hall and small meeting room?
In 2022 users of the house are; The Mills Archive, Berkshire Youth, Reserve Forces Employment Association , Weston & Co Architects
We welcome in particular use of the Garden Hall and small meeting room by local community groups. Users range from the AA support group through to dance groups, Yoga and Reading Folk Club. Church groups have also held services here from time to time.
The hall and small meeting room may however also be hired by individuals (perhaps for weddings, parties) and companies (for meetings/ interviews, training or a quiet area to work in) but for this we charge a slightly higher hourly rate.
The small meeting room will accommodate 10 seated comfortably. It has its own modern loo, a sink unit and kettle.
The hall and meeting room have BT Broadband installed which users may access. Users of the hall have the benefit of being able to use our wonderfully restored garden. There is also parking available for evening and weekend events.
For further details about prices, conditions and booking please go to Meeting room and Hall hire
The website of some of our Hall users is
Readifolk on Sunday Evenings
Local Medical Practice for meetings
A group of Hong Kongers
and these are just a few………………………….