Bradfield
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Bradfield books (10 available)
Bradfield memories
Read and share memories of Bradfield and Berkshire inspired by Frith photos
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Berkshire memories
Theale..The Birthplace of William Frederick PARSONS
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 there 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 was pregnant with her third son Herbert who was born a few months after his father's death. Life in those days as a widow with 3 children was very hard and sadly baby Herbert died at 15 days old, causing added great sadness to the family, ...read more here
A memory of Theale contributed by hazel parsons
Great great grandfather
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.
A memory of Theale contributed by Anne Sorrell
The Boat.
The boat in the photograph was completed in 1949 by my father George Watson. We lived in Palmers Green, London N13. I am up forward then aged 11. I think the picture was taken in 1949 as I can remember the occasion well.
A memory of Pangbourne contributed by Mr J Watson
fear of wells
The well incident at yattendon scared my father. We had heard about it through relatives and we lived in east tytherley at the time. I remember my father spending a weekend tapping floors and trying to lift flag stones in our kitchen because he was convinced that there was a well under our home- there wasnt.
A memory of Yattendon contributed by joy milligan
Extracts From Bradfield & Berkshire books
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".
Opened in June 1860,
the Town Hall cost
£3,505 to build, and
provided space for
the County Police
Station, with cells and
an exercise yard, a
courtroom and council
offices. By this date,
the Fire Brigade were
also housed here and
operated a steam
powered fire engine.
An extract from from"Wokingham and Bracknell Photographic Memories".