Purley On Thames
Purley On Thames photos (6 available)
Purley On Thames maps (2 available)
Map of Berkshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Purley On Thames books (10 available)
Purley On Thames memories
Read and share memories of Purley On Thames and Berkshire inspired by Frith photos
Reedham orphanage
My father died just before I was born and my mother had to put my brother and I into Reedham orphanage. I was still on a potty as I remember complaining that I was now old enough to go on the toilet and have some privacy. I remember a row of potties along a wall oposite the tiny 'grown up' toilets that had curtains not doors. I remember a little baby called Paula being shown to us. She was a black girl and so sweet and pretty.
I was at the orphanage for 2 or 3 years and then my mother (against the odds) got a council house in Plymouth and we joined her and my older sister.
I ...read more here
Contributed by Kathryn Jackson
Royal Family travelling through Reedham Train Station
I remember standing on the station platform to see the Royal Family pass through on the Royal Train. I have no recollection of where they were travelling to and I'm a bit hazy on the year.
We all wore our best clothes and stood waving. The train slowed down as it passed through the station. Then about 3 or 4 days later we did the same on the other side.
Myself and my two sisters, Janet and Eileen Hall were all at Reedham Orphanage. We were at Reedham from 1935 to about 1947/48.
Contributed by Chris Wallis
Swimming at Reedham Orphanage
I went to Whyteleafe Grammar school. At the time it was an all girls grammar school. We used to go on a coach to swim at Reedham Orphanage. I didn't know how to swim and I can remember to this day, telling Miss Edwards, the phys ed. teacher who was very strict, that I had read in a book that if you put your shoulders under the water, you would be able to swim and I asked if this was true! She said why didn't I try it and see! I can't remember if it worked. All I can remember is that it was an indoor pool but it had leaves and stuff in the ...read more here
Contributed by Liz Williams
Growing up in Purley
When I lived in Purley, there weren't many stores. I can remember when Sainsbury's opened across from Purley Fountain. There was a toy shop in the High Street called Morgan's. I stole a whistle from there when I was not very old. I can remember it to this day. It was yellow plastic with one of those pea things in that made the whistling noice. I must have taken it home but I was soon on my way back to Morgan's to return the whistle and apologise for stealing it!
We lived in Dale Road and there was a row of shops along the Godstone Road. A greengrocer's, Mr King's the grocers, Mr Nicholls newsagents, Mr Burrough's the tobacconist and ...read more here
Contributed by Liz Williams
Extracts From Purley On Thames & Berkshire books
According to Nikolaus Pevsner in his book ‘The Buildings of England - Berkshire’, St Mary’s is ‘reached along a
regrettable bungalowscape’. The imposing lychgate opens onto the spacious burial ground. Design and materials
would be mostly 1870 by Street, and Pevsner claims it is not a church that could contribute to his fame.
An extract from from"Berkshire Churches Photographic Memories".
Viewed across a new orchard is the mansion of Moore Close. The original house, built by Mr Hutchinson Brown,
was bought by Charles Birch Crisp who, in 1910, commissioned newly-qualified architect Oliver Hill to enlarge the
house and design the gardens. Newbold Missionary College moved to the site in February 1946.
An extract from from"Wokingham and Bracknell Photographic Memories".
From its depot in Reading, having stopped at Shinfield, Arborfield, Eversley and Yateley, a Thorneycroft J Type bus operated by the Thames Valley Traction Company has yet to make a pick up in Derby Green before continuing through Blackwater, to its destination in Camberley. It seems a fitting picture to conclude this selection of photographs and illustrate the pace of life in days gone by.
An extract from from"Wokingham and Bracknell Photographic Memories".
The Hope and Anchor, seen here on the right, has changed little in the present day, but now includes the small
gabled building on its left, which had been a blacksmiths for many years. Today the British Legion hall will be found
to the rear of the next building along, which in this photograph bears the name ‘Wokingham Ex-Servicemen’s Club’.
An extract from from"Wokingham and Bracknell Photographic Memories".
The 15th-century building in the foreground has had a variety of uses, including that of a public house named The
Cricketers which ran from the mid 19th century until its closure in 1909. This picture shows it as a fish and chip shop.
In recent years it has doubled as a tailor’s workroom with private accommodation above. The tall narrow building
immediately to the left was at one time home to James Seaward, who was reputedly the inspiration for the character of
Tom in Charles Kingsley’s book ‘The Water Babies’. Beyond is a fine run of 15th- and 16th-century buildings.
An extract from from"Wokingham and Bracknell Photographic Memories".