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Dorney

Dorney photos

Displaying the first of 2 old photos of Dorney.   View all Dorney photos

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Dorney maps

Historic maps of Dorney and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Dorney maps

Dorney area books

Displaying 1 of 7 books about Dorney and the local area.   View all books for this area

Memories of Dorney

Dorney memories
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Displaying a selection of personal memories of Dorney.
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Picking Wild Violets

My friend Jean and I used to pick wild violets in the wood just along the towpath on the right hand side of this picture.  The wood was a carpet of yellow celandines in Spring and the scent from the wild violets was reward in itself.  We lived in Dorney Reach so most of our childhood was spent by the river Thames.  Further back from this picture on the other side of the riverbank was Monkey Island Hotel.  

Bell Ringing

The Church c1955
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The is the church I was baptised in. As I child I used to go bell ringing here (St James the Less).  We used to climb up the very narrow stairwell being very careful not to slip. Every week we used to practise. There were six bells and I used to ring No.4.  Our teacher would stress to us not to break the stay as it was very expensive to replace so I always felt nervous ringing the bell. Goodness knows what it must have sounded like when we were learning as all of Dorney Reach and Dorney village would have heard.

Sunday Afternoons by The River

We used to visit Dorney Reach a lot when I was a child as it was one of our favourite Sunday afternoon walks.

We used to park and then walk down to the river passing the church on the way. The path was always shady and cool even in the hottest summer weather.

Berkshire memories

Royal Canadian Hospital Taplow

Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital c1955
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I first knew the hospital when I was admitted there in 1956. It was a beautiful building. I have seen photos online of how it had been left to go to ruin. I have also heard it was going to be demolished for a housing estate. I find it quite sad that a building that has done so much could be just dismissed. I'm sure it could have been put to a worthy cause. When I was in the hospital I do remember one nurse - STAFF NURSE MARSDEN. I look forward to anyone else remembering this place. Sue.

My Local Hospital

Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital c1955
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This is the hospital that my first child was born in.  The year was 1968 and you had to stay in for approximately 10 days. I was also born in this hospital in 1949. The building was very imposing and the staff were wonderful. The matron was very strict and as soon as she came onto the ward the nurses would be in awe of her.

Canadian Red Cross Hospital

Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital c1955
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I was born here in 1949, then both my children. The first in 1967 and the next in 1971. The maternity unit was around to the left in a seperate building. They were very strict about visiting times etc. The staff were great though. The hospital was also the centre for Childhood Rhumatoid Arthritis. The hospital has been knocked down and replaced with a closed gate housing estate.

Born And Raised Here

Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital c1955
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I remember this hospital, being born here. My mother told me it was a lovely summer's day until the day was drawing on and it turned windy and cloudy and a nasty thunderstorm. My mother had not a clue what to call me so the nurse who had delivered me said my mother 'Gail', so that's how I was named. My parents stayed there for a while and moved to High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. My mother fell pregnant again the following year and had my brother born at the Wycombe Shrubbery. It was a shame tht the Taplow Canadian War Memorial Hospital shut down as I wanted my son to be born there. I wished I could have taken a photo of this hosital before they pulled it down and find the nurse who helped me being born.


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