DSA2023 tour opportunities in Reading
We are delighted that DSA 2023 will be a chance for development practitioners and researchers to get together after the pandemic, but also because it allows participants to interact with one of our member universities. The University of Reading have organised the following tours which are available by booking only – places are limited.
- All tours take place Wednesday 28 June, in the morning, details provided below.
- There is no charge for attending the tours.
- For the tours to Sonning/CRU and to CEDAR/Cocoa Quarantine Centre please bring appropriate outdoor footwear and clothing as there will be some walking around the farms.
- While some degree of mobility is required for the two farm tours, the MERL tour is mainly ground level and will do its best to accommodate accessibility needs.
- Book here
Museum of English Rural Life (MERL)
The Museum for English Rural Life is owned and managed by the University of Reading. The museum tells the story of the history of rural England and its people. It uses its diverse and surprising collection to explore how the skills and experiences of farmers and craftspeople, past and present, can help shape our lives now and into the future. The tour will last 30 minutes after which delegates will have the opportunity to further explore the displays at their own pace.
- Number of places: 15
- Tour lead/s: Nic Minney and Tim Jerrome
- Transport: Delegates can make their own way to the museum (approx. 30 minutes by foot from Whiteknights campus) OR can meet outside the Muslim centre on campus (building number 37) at 9:30am if they would prefer to travel to the MERL by bus and as a group accompanied by a student volunteer. The bus stop for the MERL is Crown Place Passage on Kendrick Road. The museum is located at the other end of the Passage.
- Timing: The tour will start at 10am at the MERL. Meet at the Muslim Centre at 9:30am for the option to travel as a group by bus.
Sonning Farm and Crops Research Unit
Reading’s 180-hectare Sonning farm is home to the Crop Research Unit. The Crop Research Unit undertakes research on all aspects of arable, soft fruit and forage crop production, and occupies approximately 30 hectares of the University’s most uniform soil. You will have the opportunity to walk through various trials exploring genetic diversity, intercropping and diverse forage leys.
- Number of places: 15
- Tour lead/s: John Hammond
- Transport: By minibus, departing from and returning to the main foyer of the Agriculture Building (building number 59)
- Timing: The minibus will depart from the Agriculture Building sharp at 9:00am, returning at approximately 11:30am.
CEDAR and International Cocoa Quarantine Centre
The Centre for Dairy Research (CEDAR) is a unique, world-renowned facility for applied and strategic animal research, situated at the University of Reading’s Hall Farm at Arborfield. The International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, also part of the University of Reading, is the principal hub for transfer of cocoa vegetative material between countries/regions. As such, it plays a vital role in the movement of cocoa germplasm for breeding and research around the world. Both Centres are located in the same place, meaning delegates can visit both of them in one trip. The tour will commence at the Cocoa Quarantine Centre before moving on to CEDAR.
- Numbers cap: 15
- Tour lead/s: Andrew Daymond for Cocoa Quarantine; Chris Reynolds and Dave Humphries for CEDAR
- Transport: By minibus, departing from and returning to the main foyer of the Agriculture Building (building number 59).
- Timing: The minibus will depart from the Agriculture Building sharp at 9:00am, returning at approximately 11.45am
If you wish to attend any of the tours, please indicate your interest via this online form.