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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
2h
The library site on Abbey Square under construction in 1984 - the buildings on King's Road can be seen in the background, the picture framers are still there! #ReadingLocalHistory
Construction site in front of buildings, with a person leaning on a barrier in the foreground.

ALT Construction site in front of buildings, with a person leaning on a barrier in the foreground.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Jun 8
Reading Central Library, Blagrave Street - the Lending Library, 1985, prior to the move to Abbey Square. The issue counter is to the left, with "Plessey" light-pens for reading barcodes. Beyond, 3 microfiche readers give access to the catalogue. #ReadingLocalHistory
Interior of a library with circulation desk, bookshelves, and a book sale trolley.

ALT Interior of a library with circulation desk, bookshelves, and a book sale trolley.

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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Jun 1
As Reading Central Library is closed in preparation for its move to Bridge Street, we look back at its history. This is the official opening ceremony of the first library, held in the Town Hall, with the organ in the background, Wednesday 9th February, 1883. #ReadingLocalHistory
A formal gathering in a grand hall with a pipe organ, men on a decorated platform, and a large audience.

ALT A formal gathering in a grand hall with a pipe organ, men on a decorated platform, and a large audience.

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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
May 25
Park Hospital opened on 30th May 1906 on land that had belonged to the Mansion House estate (Prospect Park), this is the residence of the matron and staff, plus the kitchen annexe, Although a lot of the site has been redeveloped, this building still exists. #ReadingLocalHistory
A large brick building with multiple chimneys, identified as the residence of the Matron and staff and kitchen annexe of Park Hospital.

ALT A large brick building with multiple chimneys, identified as the residence of the Matron and staff and kitchen annexe of Park Hospital.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
May 11
Back in the early 1900s Reading had its own roller rink in the centre of town at 39-40 West Street, and this was taken at the opening day in May 1910. The library has more photos of this on it's website, which came from the Reading Standard newspaper. #ReadingLocalHistory
A formal gathering of men and women in early 20th-century attire inside a large hall with a balcony.

ALT A formal gathering of men and women in early 20th-century attire inside a large hall with a balcony.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 27
At the time of posting we've had a few lovely spring days unlike here where three Reading Corporation Tramways vehicles face eastwards in King's Road, April 1908, waiting to be dug out of the snow, opposite the Lodge Hotel. Men with shovels are in evidence. #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white newspaper photo of tramcars in the snow

ALT A black and white newspaper photo of tramcars in the snow
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 20
This is a brass band march eastwards down Gosbrook Street (later Gosbrook Road), Caversham. Part of the caption is missing, but appears to read '...... Band, Caversham, April, **, Taylor', and is of the Church Parade that took place on 18th April 1909. #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of a brass band marching down a road, with houses either side and some onlookers.

ALT A black and white photo of a brass band marching down a road, with houses either side and some onlookers.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 17
This book by John Collins, looks at the Reverend John Aldworth and his parish of East Lockinge, from 1684-1729. Now in Oxfordshire, this was in Berkshire until the boundary changes of 1974. On the shelves at BWS/DU on the 2nd floor of Reading Library. #ReadingLocalHistory
Book cover with an illustration of a church and trees reflected in water, the title appears above the picture, with the author details below

ALT Book cover with an illustration of a church and trees reflected in water, the title appears above the picture, with the author details below
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 13
Here we have new council houses under construction on the Whitley Housing Estate, the first council houses to be built after WWII in 1946. From the Reading Chronicle, 12 April 1946, and later used in the book by Susan Read, "Reading in the News, ". #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of a building site. A bicycle leans against a shed to the left, and piles of bricks are stacked next to foundations. There are a couple of trees and other houses in the background.

ALT A black and white photo of a building site. A bicycle leans against a shed to the left, and piles of bricks are stacked next to foundations. There are a couple of trees and other houses in the background.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 10
You may have seen the photo of New Road we posted back in January, well here is a book all about the history of it. Written by Adam Sowan, published in 2016 and titled A Quiet and Intimate Road, we have a reference and lending copy of this. #ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white drawings of houses above and below the title, which is set in a black band representing the road surface.

ALT Black and white drawings of houses above and below the title, which is set in a black band representing the road surface.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 6
This month we are looking at things happening around the town in Aprils past. First up is the opening ceremony at Kendrick Girls' School, London Road, Reading, 1st April 1927. The Mayor Councillor W. H. Short, is in the centre with the Duchess of Atholl. #ReadingLocalHistory
A group of people stand on a stage facing an even larger group, whose backs are to the camera. A black and white photo.

ALT A group of people stand on a stage facing an even larger group, whose backs are to the camera. A black and white photo.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Apr 3
Available as both a reference and lending book, this covers soil types, drainage and uses of the land in West Berkshire, and is by L.R. Lewis. #ReadingLocalHistory
A green book cover with 7 photos, with a map of Berkshire overlaid, and a drawing of something with dots on in the lower left corner

ALT A green book cover with 7 photos, with a map of Berkshire overlaid, and a drawing of something with dots on in the lower left corner
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 30
Southcote Junction Signal Box, looking north-eastwards, 1961. The Reading Central (Coley) Goods line is in the background, and the lines to Newbury and Basingstoke are in front. Taken by Mr. A. H. Spring. #ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white photo of the railway signal box at Southcote Junction.

ALT Black and white photo of the railway signal box at Southcote Junction.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 27
This book by Peg Hope-Jones recounts her time running a teashop in Eton High Street with a lady called Chloe, which became a centre for Eton Society. It was published in 1978 after being serialised by BBC's Woman's Hour. #ReadingLocalHistory
Illustration of three ladies sat a table with a red and white check cloth, there are three boys in Eton School uniform on the left and a man passing on the other side of a window.

ALT Illustration of three ladies sat a table with a red and white check cloth, there are three boys in Eton School uniform on the left and a man passing on the other side of a window.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 23
This photo shows the entrance (on the left) to Spring Gardens recreation ground on Whitley Street, Reading. It appears that the houses are no longer there, but there is still a recreation ground accessed from Spring Terrace. #ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white photo of Whitley Street, Reading, looking north. On the left is the entrance to Spring Gardens Recreation Ground, next to a row of terraced houses. The buildings have since been demolished.

ALT Black and white photo of Whitley Street, Reading, looking north. On the left is the entrance to Spring Gardens Recreation Ground, next to a row of terraced houses. The buildings have since been demolished.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 16
Today's photo has an interesting background - it was found in a garden shed in Cardigan Road, Reading in 1999, and shows a newly married couple standing at the foot of a staircase, both are beautifully dressed for the occasion. Can anyone put a name to them? #ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white photograph of a newly married couple, c. 1930. They stand at the foot of a staircase. The groom wears a double-breasted suit with a sprig of white heather in the button-hole, and carries a pair of gloves and a trilby hat. The bride is dressed all in white, with a veil, and holds a bouquet of roses.

ALT Black and white photograph of a newly married couple, c. 1930. They stand at the foot of a staircase. The groom wears a double-breasted suit with a sprig of white heather in the button-hole, and carries a pair of gloves and a trilby hat. The bride is dressed all in white, with a veil, and holds a bouquet of roses.

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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 13
Looking at places and buildings on and around the river Thames, this little book is available to borrow from Reading Central Library, at BC/D. #ReadingLocalHistory
Book cover, with a black and white photo in an oval of punts and skiffs on the river.

ALT Book cover, with a black and white photo in an oval of punts and skiffs on the river.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 9
Charvil Lane, Sonning, with Spring Cottages to the left, c. 1930. One of many postcards we have by H. A. Giles, this one is captioned, "Sonning on Thames, " and numbered 39. #ReadingLocalHistory
A black and white photo of an empty road in Sonning, there are houses to the left and a wall to the right.

ALT A black and white photo of an empty road in Sonning, there are houses to the left and a wall to the right.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 6
The front cover of this book shows the Reading waggon by Dunton, 1919. Dunton's were vardo builders based in Reading. There is a miniature caravan in Battle Library today which is a similar design. #ReadingLocalHistory
Book cover for The English Gypsy Caravan, with a painted wagon set against a wall and trees, under the title.

ALT Book cover for The English Gypsy Caravan, with a painted wagon set against a wall and trees, under the title.
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Reading Libraries@readinglibrary
Mar 2
Spring is coming, so this month enjoy some 'spring' based photos, starting with this one from Reading Children's Library, in Blagrave St., back in 1985. There is a decorative mural display on the subject of spring on the wall to the right. #ReadingLocalHistory
Black and white photo of Reading Central Library, Blagrave Street. The Children's Library, 1985. There are kinder boxes to the left, and there is a decorative mural display on the subject of spring to the right of the window.

ALT Black and white photo of Reading Central Library, Blagrave Street. The Children's Library, 1985. There are kinder boxes to the left, and there is a decorative mural display on the subject of spring to the right of the window.
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