Nostalgic memories of Tilehurst's local history
Share your own memories of Tilehurst 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 21 in total
Although I was born in London in 1939 where my father was a master baker, we were blitzed out in 1940 and came to settle in School Road Tilehurst. My father had learnt the Grocery trade as a lad in Sainsbury's specializing in the cheese counter, He opened the shop in School road with very little stock having lost everything in the air raids of London.
My parents worked very hard and built up a very ...see more
I was at Highlands between 1966-1970, and have very warm and happy memories of the school. I was Janet Anderson back then. Mrs. Peach was Headmistress, she was a wonderful lady. I started in the first form, worked up to the third form, then jumped to the middle fourth (I think it was called). My favourite teacher was Mrs. Swanborough. I remember friends Kim Walking and Lyndsey Jones. ...see more
I was born in 1948 at Delwood , lived in Thicket Rd until I was 6 then moved to Lyme Grove. I went to The Laurels, Park lane, Norcot and Wilson schools. I worked a Saturday job at Wedlocks and started there as an apprentice when I left school in 1964. I look forward to hearing from anyone I knew around that time or later years !!
Just out of the picture to the right, was the Post Office run by the lovely Miss Townsend. With hair buns on her ears, she was all smiles when you deposited money into your Post Office savings account, but if you asked for a withdrawal, you had a lecture on the national economy!
I grew up in West Reading but had relatives in Westwood rd and Armor rd. Would go to visit them on the bus and always remember what we called "the buckets" which went across Norcot Hill. I guess they are what carried the clay from one side to another but not sure I knew that at the time. Later played soccer at the Rec. My uncle who lived at Felton Croft Armor rd owned 2 wet fish shops along the Oxford rd In ...see more
Having born at 49 Recreation Road, Tilehurst while attending Norcot Primary School and remember Petry Stores very well, as a child my brother's Anthony & Melcombe and myself were asked many times from our parents (Kenneth and Betty) to go and collect some broken biscuits from the store. As for Simon we both attended Tilehurst Social Club during the 70's where, we would often play cards in a group on a Friday ...see more
My Mum and Dad ran the sweet shop at the bottom of Kentwood Hill from about 1957. 'J.E. Griffin, Bread, Cakes and Confectionery'. I went to The Highlands School until my Dad died in 1962. Then moved to Lawrence Road, off Norcot Hill and lived there for quite some years. Had a paper round out of the newsagents near the top of Norcot on the left.
There was Jack Deverall who ran the sweet shop opposite the Bear Inn; he was a kindly gentleman who was very gracious, I took back extra change that he had given me in error, and my reward for my honesty was 2 half crowns at the time - I never forgot that. I had a long walk from Conway Road every week to the Scout Hall in the Triangle. 63rd Reading Scout Troop. Loved the sweet shop in the Triangle too, and the smooth paving ...see more
Sad to hear that Jackson's is closing next year. I remember going there with my mother in the 50's and 60's to get shoes and clothing. One time in particular I remember going for shoes, and after trying them on, I put my foot in a wooden contraption which was like an x-ray machine that showed if they fitted. I could not work out how such a thing worked. Does anyone else remember this or was I imagining it?
I remember Pincents Hill and surrending area in the 1950s. We would walk up through the city and down Pincents Hill, past the farm with a small pond. On the left was a long gravel avenue that was lined with poplars down to Calcot. At the bottom was a gravel footpath that went all the way to the bottom of Sulham Hill, by the church. Also at the bottom of Pincents Hill, somewhere down where Sainsburys is now, there was ...see more