The Promenade And River c1955, Reading
The Promenade And River c1955, Reading Ref: R13027
Memories of The Promenade And River c1955, Reading
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Reading & local memories
Read and share memories of Reading and Berkshire inspired by Frith photos.
''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.
Reading in The 60's
I was born in Caversham, Reading. I used to go to a riding school at Sonning Common, owned by Rosemary Drayton and remember the riding school and farm at Bugs Bottom owned by Frank Stokes. I loved the ice cream sold at The Regent in St Mary's Butts, and I worked at Lamport, Gilbert and Co in Gun Street, my window overlooked Courages and I would see the brewery horses Captain and Trixie pulling the dray of beer. This was long before The Oracle was built, there was always a smell of hops brewing in The Butts area, we would go for a drink in The Horn on the corner of Castle St, run by Frank and Pam at the time. I loved Reading in the 60's there were loads of coffee bars with juke boxes, and I loved The Palomino in Duke St, it was between the two Ship hotels, and The Honey Bear in London St, and of course The Cafe O'le in London Road. Above... Read more
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
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 Our Archivist has been looking into this - it looks as though the name changed in the 1960's from Oxford Street to Oxford Road. Regards, Editor.
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.
Theatre?
Does anyone have memories of the theatre in Reading and any notable productions? I remember going to it but have forgotten the name.
