Newbury Bridge And Lock

A Memory of Newbury.

This picture makes me feel warm inside. When I was a young boy, 9-11 yrs old, I would fish from the wooden fence in the picture to the lower right, casting under the Newbury Bridge. Hoping to catch a large barbil or Samson the pike that was fed by the butchers on the bridge (Griffins).My name is Paul Frith, born in Portsmouth 21/10/1959. Between 1961-1979 I lived with my family at number 86 Craven Road Newbury. I lived with my brothers John, Mark and my sisters Rosemary and Jane. My Father, Oliver Frith, ex Royal Air Force (WWII), Lancaster, Halifax and Wellington bomber, rear gunner and latterly as a bomb aimer in the path finder air arm. After his esteemed service (33 missions), he worked in the Portsmouth ship yards as a qualified ship wright. Finally he found his way into a role working for the inland revenue in Newbury, Reading and the Portsmouth offices. My mother, Doreen Lillian Frith, Women's Royal Air Force (WWII). In the years after her esteemed service to her country in war time, she took up many roles throughout the years to support her family, including care work and technology, manufacturing of printed circuit boards, in Thatcham Berkshire. Newbury is my happy place and the town, countryside and people will be forever part of my tapestry of life. Thank you Newbury for the happiest of memories!