Reading memories
Here are memories of Reading and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Reading or a Reading photo.
''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
General Store, Hosier Street
Please can anyone help? Do you remember a general shop in Hosier Street on the left-hand-side going from St Mary's Butts in the name of F W Hawkins before the civic offices were built?
Reading Miniature Railway
This railway ran along Thamesside Promenade in the 1940s and 1950s. It was operated by Harold Judd. The line runs between chain-link fencing and an iron fence, and the train, approaching the camera, carries a number of children. There were apparently two 10 1/4" gauge lines.
Reading 1949
My Grandfather Blaskett ( my mother Sylvia was the second daughter of his second wife) owned property in Reading and was a spec builder and for a while our family lived at 24 Bath Road. He had a property I think before the War called Rotherham Grange but I don't know where in Reading it was. I will be over in England in September (I live in Sydney, Australia) and hope to find Rotherham Grange. If anyone can help me I would be very grateful. During the war years our family lived with him at his country property called Cherry Elyot. Bette Schoots (nee Miller).
Rowing
I think this boathouse was where the Reading Working Men's Rowing Club was based. I remember boys from the Forest Grammar School rowing on the river here and the extraordinary pain in your arms as you rowed the last few strokes of a race!
Huntley & Palmers
This picture shows the factory of Huntley & Palmers - the biscuit makers who were one of the largest employers in Reading in the 20th Centrury. Presumably the photo was taken at the end of a working day with the workers streaming out of the factory? Palmer Park was named after one of the founders of this firm.
Memories of Berkshire
My Memories of Caversham
I lived in Caversham in 1970-1972 at 11A Bridge Street, above the hairdresser's shop. It was owned by a Mr Simmonds, who was our landlord. There was a newspaper shop about 3 doors up from where we lived. There were our friends, the Hyetts - Clive, Louis, and their mum. There was the pub across the road run by a scottish guy, can't remember his name. I used to work at Mr Harry's suits, on the Basingstoke Rd. My late husband worked at Stevenson Mills, next to the Gillette factory. We used to go to the World Turned Upside Down, on the Basingstoke Road. My name was Kath McCarte, my late hubby was Bernie. If anyone remembers us please contact me kathleen860@btinternet.com or 01495 320226 many lovely memories.
School Days
I used to have my hair cut in the barber shop on Bridge St usually before going to Saturday morning cinema.
I also did a paper round for the newsagent on the bridge, the round was in Caversham Heights where I lived in Albert Road.
School was at Caversham Secondary Modern, I really enjoyed school great time.
Left there in 1959. any one remember the school plays and ballroom dancing?
Caversham Boy.
I lived in Southview Avenue, schools were Hill Primary and Caversham Secondary Modern . I left in 1959 and went to Reading Art College (Kings Road) and then Reading Process Engraving Co. I attended St John's Church, St John's Road. I remember fishing at Caversham, sailing model boats on the 'lido', circus and fairs at Kings Meadows, adventures on View Island, Mods and Rockers at View Island, river trips on Salters Steamers, my Vespa scooter and later my Mini, the Star Public House, Cow Lane, and a friend who lived on a houseboat at the bottom of Cow Lane.
I also remember Caversham Secondary Modern, craft lessons, ballroom dances, football lessons with huge clumpy boots and a football like a cannon ball, swimming in the Thames at Caversham weir and standing on the weir support structure in the summer to cool off, the swimming baths (open air) and lots more. A great childhood that did me no harm!
Caversham
I went to the Hill primary school and then to Caversham secondary modern school. I left there in 1963. I lived at Kings Road. We used to play down the rec and view island. We would play skipping and marbles in the street, there were not many cars in them days. I used to go to the Regal and Glendale pictures with my brother. He was 6 years older then me so didn't really like me tagging along. I moved away when I got married, but moved back about 18 yreas ago. I now live in Lower Henley Road. My mum worked at Caversham Laundry for a while and we used to go to the Christmas parties there. I used to be Carol Hawes in those days, if anyone out there remembers my family.
War Years in Earley
I lived in Clarendon Road until 1954. Does anyone remember the V1 doodlebug that crashed in Whitenights Park, causing a huge crater? In those days we would spend a lot of time in Earley Woods at the back of the allotments at the end of Mays Lane. I went to Wokingham Road primary school and then to Reading Grammar School in 1946. My very first girlfriend was Priscilla Hockey but sadly I lost contact with her and it would be very difficult to trace her now because I assume she married and I wouldn't know her married name. I was married in St Peter's church in 1958. I am 76 years old now and live near Nottingham but have many fond memories of Earley and Reading. It would be nice to hear from anyone that knew me. My email address is lewis-shaw@o2.co.uk
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