We begin 2026 Members Open Days with a Hymenoptera surgery: Gavin Broad will be on hand all day so members are welcome to drop in to the Pelham-Clinton building for help with Hymenoptera identification, advice on specimen preservation, general questions about biology, etc.

Please note that Gavin’s preferred Hymenoptera are parasitoid wasps, and that species identifications are often not feasible, although he is more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Please note: We are reverting back to a 10:30 opening time permanently.

The Pelham Clinton Building, Dinton Pastures, Reading. The Society’s Headquarters Building is the venue for regular Open Days for members.

We encourage and welcome members to come along and use the facilities; our comprehensive library, the incredible collection and our recently installed suite of new microscopes. We have imaging facilities which can be used to display what you have on the microscope stage on screens up to 62″, and also take still and video images of the eyepiece views, bring your USB stick to record onto.

If staying all day you will need to bring a packed lunch, to be consumed in the Howarth room, we will provide tea and coffee with a modest selection of biscuits.

Parking is chargeable, The RingGo app can be used, the location number is 23817, as of December 2025 the fees are 3hrs £6.90 and 16hrs £9.20.

Should you be travelling a long distance, or during a period of poor/dangerous weather please feel free to call: Marc Taylor on 07941236140, to save you wasted journey should unforeseen circumstance prevail such as Storm Darragh December 2024.