You are here:
Reading
Reading maps
Historic maps of Reading and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Reading maps
Reading area books
Displaying 1 of 11 books about Reading and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Reading
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Reading.
There are 13 shared memories to read.
Add your memory of Reading
or of a photo of Reading.
''Fanny'' Hawkins Sweet Shop.
In reply to Keith Hawkins' appeal to anyone that knew of F.W. Hawkins shop on Hosier Street, Reading, I used this shop during the 1950s as a small boy while spending the weekends with my Nan & Grandad who lived at 61 Hosier Street. My Mum & Nan referred to Miss Hamkins as Fanny, I have no idea if this was her real name. The shop was very dark inside with gas light brackets on the walls. On entering the shop as a small boy clutching a few coppers my Nan had given me to buy some sweets with the silence was unreal, the shop was always empty, after a few minutes of waiting to be served and looking at lots of glass cube-shaped display jars with round lids, all full of different sweets, trying to decide what to buy, Miss Hawkins would emerge through the part glazed door (which sported a heavy net curtain) at the rear of the shop, which must have been her living accomodation, the doors were... Read more
Thames-Side Miniature Railway
The Thames-side Miniature Railway opened in about 1946 and closed in 1954. The station, which had a single platform, stood at the Caversham end of the line. To the east of the station was the engine shed and, beyond that, a turntable. At the western end of the railway was another turntable and a passing loop that enabled the locomotive, once turned, to return to the front of the train. The railway was single-track throughout, and it ran for about half a mile to just short of Cow Lane.
The maroon locomotive was named 'Western Queen' and, if I remember correctly, had a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement. One memorable feature, was the very penetrating chime whistle which could be heard a considerable distance away.
Happy Days
Miss Jenifer Howell and Mr Peter Gardiner got married here on the 21st October 1967 as did my mother and father Jean and Frank Gardiner on the 21st October 1939.
My Home Town 1947-1969
I was born in Liebenrood Road Maternity Hospital Reading in 1947 and for my first 5 years I lived in Salisbury Road, moving to Whitley until I left in 1969.
I remember as a young child having many photographs taken at Jeromes in Broad Street. I spent many Christmases queuing to see Father Christmas in Heelas underneath a silk parachute that was suspended from the ceiling and it fascinated me and kept me quiet until I reached Father Christmas’ Grotto.
My schools were Oxford Road Infants, Whitley Park Infants & Juniors, George Palmer Seniors moving to Southlands in 1960, a new school, after it had been built with Miss Hutchinson as Headmistress.
Other things I remember were the trolley buses and the Bus station in, I believe, Mill Lane, where the flyover is now situated. As a very small child I vividly remember being shut in the doors of a new type of automatic door. Luckily my mother, who had got off the bus first and turned round to... Read more
My Home Town 1947-1969
I was born in Liebenrood Road Maternity Hospital Reading in 1947 and for my first 5 years I lived in Salisbury Road, moving to Whitley until I left in 1969.
I remember as a young child having many photographs taken at Jeromes in Broad Street. I spent many Christmases queuing to see Father Christmas in Heelas underneath a silk parachute that was suspended from the ceiling and it fascinated me and kept me quiet until I reached Father Christmas’ Grotto.
My schools were Oxford Road Infants, Whitley Park Infants & Juniors, George Palmer Seniors moving to Southlands in 1960, a new school, after it had been built with Miss Hutchinson as Headmistress.
Other things I remember were the trolley buses and the Bus station in, I believe, Mill Lane, where the flyover is now situated. As a very small child I vividly remember being shut in the doors of a new type of automatic door. Luckily my mother, who had got off the bus first and turned round to... Read more
Broad Street
I left Reading to live in the West Midlands when this photo was taken in 1965. I believe the trolley buses were still running then. Does anyone remember the pet shop with the rabbits in their hutches outside?
Josie LLewelyn
Reading, The Town Hall
This is the Museum and Concert Hall. The Town Hall is at the other end of the building.
Reading, Oxford Street 1913
This is Oxford Road, not Oxford Street.
Otherwise we enjoy!
JC
