Find out about an untold part of the history of Reading Town in Berkshire. What is the truth about the legends and stories about tunnels, chalk mines and subsidence?

40 minutes DVD / VHS Video

The Reading Tunnels Mystery

A must see programme for everyone intrigued by stories of Reading's tunnels, chalk mines and underground past

Some local people in the Reading area tell stories of so called 'secret tunnels' linking Reading Abbey to prominent buildings. Some say the tunnels were used during World War Two. These stories passed down through the generations also speak of tunnels beneath the River Thames which were used during the Civil War and by priests, monks and nuns.

Are these stories true - or just romantic silly fairy stories?

There are some sketchy references in old press cuttings reporting strange 'events' from years past. A hut, a shed and even a large tree are reported as suddenly disappearing into the ground. Then there are tales of secret passages found in old buildings but no central documentary record, plan or evidence to confirm the existence or whereabouts of tunnels - although we found out later that there is a database if you know where to go.

So what are the facts?
The bustling town of Reading Berkshire is the major centre of the Thames Valley. Yet many of those working, shopping and living in the Reading area will have little idea or knowledge that their predecessors in the Reading Berkshire area were busy digging away underground and leaving voids, which over the years were then forgotten about. Why had they dug these tunnels? What were they after, was it chalk and if so what did they do with it?

These are the questions we asked. We were intrigued, and we decided to try and find out for ourselves. We asked local people, studied the records, asked the experts and followed up the leads.

During this time some local subsidence in Reading Town made national news, so we went to speak to the affected residents in Field Road to record their stories and to find out whether their experiences had links to the mysterious tunnels, which we had heard about.
In due course our enquiries lead us to a small group of cavers who took us underground where we were able to film old chalk mine workings which many will have heard about, but few have had the opportunity to visit.
This is a record of our journey, where we went, whom we spoke to, and what we found out. We unearthed a fascinating insight into Reading's history and industrial past.

We have only scratched the surface, and there is no doubt still more to be learnt and discovered. But we have established that tunnel stories do have a basis of fact, perhaps not as romantic as suggested by the alleged secret tunnels passing under the Thames, but never the less it is a story that will intrigue the viewer as much as it did us when we first set about our enquiries.

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