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Woolhampton

Woolhampton photos (13 available)

Old photo of Woolhampton

Woolhampton maps (2 available)

Old map of Woolhampton

Woolhampton books (10 available)

Woolhampton memories

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Berkshire memories

Our first visit 1961

Brimpton, Hyde End House 1939

As far as I was concerned, at the tender age of eleven, I belonged to a Norfolk family having only known Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, my birthplace. The untitled photograph of Hyde End House that hung in my grandfather's hall was an enigma and so intrigued my mother that she had to find out its relevence and where it was. After giving my grandfather a grilling, it transpired that this was our family's old ancestral home until 1917!! The quest was on to find out more and a visit was planned in the summer of 1961. Sadly by then we found it in a dilapidated state covered in ivy and overrun with chickens but we could see how grand it must have ...read more here
A memory of Brimpton contributed by alan hyde

The Stair Connection

Brimpton, Post Office and Stores 1939

One of my family lived in the post office, a Mr John Henry Stair, he lived there with his family and a Mrs Stair was the postmistress around that time.
John Henry died in April 1881.
A memory of Brimpton contributed by ron wheeler

I lived in No 68 from 1983 to 1985

Thatcham, Thatched Cottages c1955

Of course they had been nicely re-furbished and with all mod cons like running water and electricity. It was a nice experience living in a thatched house and, believe me, they aren't full of spiders and not as much of a fire risk as you would think. We had a very big fireplace in a tiny sitting room and I am a pyromaniac. I remember one day a guy knocking on the front door and, with a very worried look on his face, he said that the chimney must be on fire because it was pouring black smoke. I thanked him kindly but told him not to worry and that I was simply burning rubber car mats!
A memory of Thatcham contributed by Donald Macdonald

I live here

Thatcham, Thatched Cottages c1955

I've lived in the two cottages on the right of the picture since 1994. Two cottages? They were knocked into one in 1973 when the entire row was sold to a developer and refurbished.
A memory of Thatcham contributed by Gillian Lucraft

Extracts From Woolhampton & Berkshire books

Woolhampton, Douai Abbey Church c1965

The Abbey Church is by J Arnold Crush and was begun in 1928. The exterior is all brick, but the interior is white stone, which looks more conventional than the exterior. Building work is still in progress in this 1965 picture; a foundation stone was laid in 1964 for a lower nave and complete abbey buildings left and right of the church. The church was commissioned in 1963 and the design work was undertaken by Frederick Gibberd.
An extract from from"Berkshire Churches Photographic Memories".

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".