The Abbey School in Reading marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen on 16 December with a special celebration of the novelist’s enduring legacy and her historic connections to the town.

The event was attended by Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire Lucy Zeal, alongside Matt Rodda MP and Deputy Mayor of Reading Councillor Paul Gittings, reflecting the strong civic pride in Jane Austen’s association with Reading.

The celebration followed the discovery by the School’s librarian, Joanne Wenman, that she is a descendant of one of Jane Austen’s ancestors, further strengthening The Abbey’s long-standing links to the author. The School takes its name in honour of Jane Austen, reflecting the historic association with Abbey Gateway, where she was educated as a pupil, and continues the tradition of girls’ education in Reading.

To mark both the anniversary and this discovery, the School hosted a coffee morning attended by Austen enthusiasts and more than 15 distant family members of Jane Austen, alongside guests from the University of Reading, Reading Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life and Reading Civic Society.

The morning included a short talk by historian Joy Pibworth on Jane Austen’s family connections to Reading and the surrounding area, and poetry readings by the School’s Poets Laureate written especially for the occasion.

The event provided a fitting and memorable celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary, bringing together the community to honour her life, work and lasting legacy.