Nostalgic memories of Cold Ash's local history
Share your own memories of Cold Ash 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
I was five years old in 1953 and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the first vivid memory I have of my childhood.
We lived at Midway, Cold Ash Hill, the major road through the village. Dressed as a pirate with silver buckles on my shoes, an eye patch and a wooden cutlass painted silver, with my childhood friend, Keith Stroud, we joined the throng of people making their way up the hill to the recreation ...see more
For a small rural community Cold Ash was a busy village in the 1950s.
Collins’ Farm, three shops, four pubs, a coal merchant, and two garages all provided local employment.
In addition the Convent with its farm and gardens employed farm and other maintenance staff although the bulk of the work there was carried out by the nuns.
The old Girls’ Home, Hill House, recently closed, now a nursery, ...see more
Hello again.
I started at Cold Ash School, St Marks C of E in 1953. The school consisted of the original brick building housing two class rooms and a large hall, plus a new wooden extension of two more class rooms and a cloak room. The infants' class was in the old building with its high windows to prevent distraction from outside. My teacher was Miss Clarke, a kindly and quietly spoken lady. My ...see more
I spent the early years of my life in Cold Ash and Thatcham. We lived in a detached house on Cold Ash Hill called Midway. I believe it has since been renamed. The house was built by my grand father Alfred Gadd, the carpenter, for the pricely sum of £460. I still have his book of expenditure on the build somewhere. Next door down the hill was the bungalow owned by Len Durbidge and on the other side, up the ...see more
Hello I have such wonderful happy memories of st Finians.
I brought my 2 daughters back to the Uk in 1998 and met up with some of the nuns from my day who are in plain clothes - were very friendly to us . Was lovely to show my girls the chapel , wash rooms and cubicles where I slept,
Would love to get in touch with any one from my past - sister Mary make a good impression on me - in the grade with Me was Fiona ...see more
I went to RidgeHouse school from about 1952 to 1956.Unfortunately the school which was almost opposite the convent school has been demolished and replaced with some houses. The school had a large area of ground which included a wood,great for playing in as I remember climbing many trees ( no health and safety then!). The lessons were varied ( about 10 different subjects from maths to French). We also had a rest ...see more
Although I lived in Cookham Berkshire when I was about 11 yrs old, my parents decided to send me to boarding school. Which was St Finians, Cold Ash. It was a very emotional time being an only child, and I will never forget my first few days after arrival. I had now left my home, my parents, my pets and friends. But as the days rolled into weeks I became more settled. I loved the nuns, they certainly were ...see more
My mum, Ann Diamond, was in St Mary's home for girls from about 1940- 1943, then went to stay with some foster parents. She has written some memoirs of her time there, and in the home. I would love to show her any more info or photos I can find of Cold Ash x.