Nostalgic memories of Theale's local history

Share your own memories of Theale 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 all 8 Memories

worked at parker timber in the 60s remember Alderman Busby one of the directors, Mr Isham known as Mac, Jack Richardson, who worked in the yard, Malcolm who drove the fork lift, Brian Green who worked in the office with Peter Barlett Berry who was a great tennis player Had some interesting times there.
The other day I just did a little search for some old photos of Theale where I spend many days out camping and fishing from around 1963 to 1970 when I was a teenager. It was very different then of course - when the M4 stopped at Maindenhead. It was the real countryside and a very wonderful place to us bunch of North London Kids. More in future emails, reply if you would like to. Regards John Walsh.
I hope someone picks this up I posted memories of theale in the early 1950.s Returned home today after a few days away to find an email from I think a Micheal,as I posted this article a few years ago I have since changed my email address and I cannot remember the old one,so if Micheal reads this could he get in touch again,Icannot do it via F.Frith site Thanks Terry Davis
Thomas Hine mentioned that there is a record of tenants of Tyle Mill. My great great great uncle, Edward Fordham, was the miller in the early 1850s. I would be interested to know if Thomas has any further information. He had been born in Hertfordshire near Royston but moved to Sulhampstead for a few years before returning to his roots and taking up the trade of corn merchant.
Hello Anne Sorrell! I saw your reference to your forebear at Tyle Mill. I hold an ever-increasing Index for Berkshire Millers and Mills. I have your Thomas DOWNING at Tyle Mill in 1864, and 1869. Hope this helps! Do you have any further info about him and the mill? I would be interested to add further to my Index. Thanks and Kind Regards, Tom HINE.
After leaving school in 1952 jobs around Theale were mainly farming, Parker Timber Co. or Theale brewery. I worked at the brewery until I joined the army in 1954. I worked with Derek Parsons, Ron Cole, Ken Duckett, Bert Minchin the delivery driver, Ginger Becket his mate (he lived at the Sunnyside Camp), Bob Harrison the foreman and Mr Howse the manager. Also working there was 'Simmo' Simmonds, the landlord of the ...see more
William or 'Billy' as he was known was born in the house at 38 Crown Lane Theale on the 24th. September 1911, the eldest son of Frederick James and Matilda (Gladys) Parsons and their house was along the lane from The Crown Inn which was situated on the corner. Billy's dad sadly died aged 32 at Crown Lane / Blossom End when Billy was 5 years , his brother Charles was 3 and his mother ...see more
According to the 1871 census my Great Great Grandfather Thomas Downing was the miller.  In the census he is living there with his family including his daughter Elizabeth who became my Great Grandmother.