The Francis Frith Collection.
You are here: Home > Explore your past > England > Berkshire > Ruscombe
2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Ruscombe

Ruscombe photos (3 available)

Old photo of Ruscombe

Ruscombe maps (2 available)

Old map of Ruscombe

Ruscombe books (10 available)

Ruscombe memories

Flint Cottage

I am not sure about the exact year. I have fond memories of visiting my nan who lived in Flint Cottage and just wondered what happened to it and see if anyone knew anything about it as would like to find out more. The date I have put on was the year I was born so if anyone can help please email me.
Contributed by Jean Carter

Berkshire memories

Flint Cottage

I am not sure about the exact year. I have fond memories of visiting my nan who lived in Flint Cottage and just wondered what happened to it and see if anyone knew anything about it as would like to find out more. The date I have put on was the year I was born so if anyone can help please email me.
A memory of Ruscombe contributed by Jean Carter

The Polehampton Schools

Twyford, High Street c1955

I think this picture could show  Mr Farthing who was a teacher at the Boys School, near the railway bridge. When I was walking to and from the girls' school at the other end of the village I often used to meet him rolling along, puffing his pipe. I had schoolfriends who lived at public houses on the High Street. One pub was the Duke of Wellington - the name of the other escapes me. You can see a baker's shop. I won't divulge the name of the baker, but I can remember his dog devouring the icing off one of their birthday cakes. Mrs. H., his wife confided to us that they had re-iced it it, because they didn't like ...read more here
A memory of Twyford contributed by Phoebe Newton

An Idyllic Childhood

Wargrave, the Village 1890

I grew up in Wargrave and my memories of the village and the surrounding areas will always be etched in my heart. I lived with my parents in "Ivyhurst", Victoria Road which at that time had a small orchard to the side of the house. The warm, lush summers meant that there was always an abundance of fruit, so much so that my mother used to hang bags of apples and pears on the gate posts for passers-by to take. We lived there during the 1950s and early 1960s and at the beginning I can still remember the Muffin Man who used to walk up Victoria Road ringing a hand bell and calling "Hot Muffins, come and get your Hot Muffins". ...read more here
A memory of Wargrave contributed by Catherine Edwards

Extracts From Ruscombe & Berkshire books

Binfield, Newbold Missionary College c1955

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".

Yateley, the Common 1924

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".

Wokingham, Station Road c1955

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".

Wokingham, Rose Street c1955

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".

Wokingham, Town Hall 1906

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".