Nostalgic memories of Reading's local history
Share your own memories of Reading and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 27 in total
I stayed there in 1969 when I was 7. Nothing bad happened but it was quite strict. I made friends with Helena Harding. I remember Mrs Jones, and snuck a peek at her annexe.
Me my 2 brothers and my sister were at monksbarn in the 60,s I remember the sweet cupboard and the large staircase where we kept our shoes and coats. Also the school I have some good memories of that place and the people
My family lived in Alfred St all their life's until it was Demolished for the underpass. A whole small community was displaced.I remember Mrs Moss shop in the middle and Ethel sweet shop at the end of the Street. And taking the laundry to the bag wash at the other end. A very small part of Alfred st Still remains which gives me a reference point to a world now lost. Does anyone remember the Dunlop building with the green dome ...see more
I would like to trace any members of my family who lived in the reading area my family name is Whitlock but i was brought up by Mr & Mrs A E Pear we lived at Binfield i had a uncle and aunt in Brunswick St , Also a cousin last known in Calcot Also a Mr Alec Pear that lived at Woodley he was married to Molly was my uncle and aunt. also Mr and Mrs Ashby lived in the Hurst area . Mr Albert Pear worked for Palmers ...see more
I remember as a child being taken to see father Christmas in the coop which was in west street where primark is now. You walked through a sort of corridor which was beautifully decorated to get to Santa's grotto and I remember thinking this was totally magical.
hi everyone we were at monksbarn in the 60s there was pam, linda,ivy,joy,jimmy.
we had to put our best clothes on for church sundays, then it was willies and coat to play out in the garden ,there was a small shelter we called a den.
the scout came at christamas for the day.
we had a sweet tin in the cupboard in the hall.
the school was in the grounds.
Dose anyone remember Monks Barn Childrens Home in Caversham.
Rag Days , who knows why they were called rag days I believe Reading Uni is now rated as one of the top 100 unis in the world , as far as i can ascertain the rag day parades have gone now mores the pity they were fun days and brightened bleak times. My last memories of them where based on where i worked at the time which was the 1960/70s i worked at Wolfe and Hollanders who were Furnishers in broad street when ...see more
Great memories of my years as a student at Reading University in the 1950's. At that time there was only one campus, and on entering through the covered London Road entrance (on the left of the photo) the cloister-bordered campus seemed so green and peaceful, with the library and clock tower at the centre. I boarded at St. Patrick's Hall (on Northcourt Avenue), many of the students then had completed ...see more
Anyone remember Rag Day in Reading? It was the one day of the year when the students of the university used to decorate lorries, in a certain theme and used to go through the streets with music blaring, throwing bags of flour at us kids. I remember getting hit by one, only small bags but it was fun. Also I remember elephants all walking in a line holding on to each other tails, the fleet of lorries used to come up ...see more