Author Archives: admin

I would just like to add to Dez’s comments about Di’s Articles about Coley.They are beautifully written and I can remember well all of those fond memories, about Charlie Martin the pig man, he used to live in Parnell Street … Continue reading →

John – they are lovely stories, beautifully written with such graphic detail. Although I never lived in Coley, the activities and neighbourliness described in the stories were typical of where we lived in West Reading (Mason Street) and later in … Continue reading →

It was Rock and Roll – Yeah!! In 1950 when I was six, a local girl Jeanette Mayo, who was a professional dancer started giving weekly lessons in the function room over the Blue Lion pub at the end of … Continue reading →

Bonfire night With bonfire night fast approaching and with the National Press debating how childhood is far less adventurous than it used to be, a couple of weeks ago I was fascinated to watch a video of little boys playing … Continue reading →

Snotty Noses and Toboggans. In our street every front garden had a small wooden seat by the front door. On warm summer evenings residents would sit outside and gossip, and naturally keep an eye on what we youngsters were up … Continue reading →

My memories of Wolseley Street There are nearly two hundred two up two down terraced houses in our street; every house has a small front garden, and nearly all of the gardens have a rickety wooden seat built for two … Continue reading →

Hi Di Thanks for your email contribution. Very interesting. When I first read your comment on Charlie Martin’s pigsties – I thought – que? But eventually the penny dropped – a great memory prompter- thank you very much! I would … Continue reading →

I used to do a bit of writing and did a few stories on Coley. [I lived at 51 Wolseley St.] A couple of the stories were published in Best of British Magazine a couple of years ago. Grandmother lived … Continue reading →

Hi Dion – thanks for the email and the comments – much appreciated. Any further Coley information would be gratefully accepted.

Re the Bricklayers Arms photo – 28 is tony mackay and 27 is terry mackay

Hi John, just read your My Reading, with interest. I lived next to Ronald Josey, we lived in Howard St., he had been at my 3rd birthday party when his mum Rose sent him out to play, he never came … Continue reading →

Geoff – I would have put money on you coming up with a photo of Willow Street – you are a champion!  I have put it up on the web page along with the Kelly’s information.  It is a tad … Continue reading →

Hello John – I have attached a photo of Willow Street and also a copy of the Kellys Directory from 1962 – Regards Geoff

Hi Graham – thanks for the email. There is no membership of this web site – anyone who is interested can contribute. When people email me, I manually post their comments on to the Posts page. I didn’t ever think … Continue reading →

I would like to know if anyone has any photos of Willow St Coley, also how do I become a member of My Reading, many thanks Graham.

Hi Rachel – I see Geoff Weller has been in touch with you.  Yes – the Coop store is long gone!  The small shop on the corner of Wolseley and Garnet has as well – it was a general store … Continue reading →

Hello Rachel I have attached a copy of the Coley School Football Team,circa 1953. Teddy was the Goalkeeper,(he was a good goal keeper) and I am the small one on the left. From the Left, back, If I remember correctly … Continue reading →

Thanks ever so much for your reply John. Hoping I can clear a couple of things up for you. Yes, 93 is almost opposite the school. I guess the Co-op store is long gone now. I certainly don’t remember it … Continue reading →

Hi Rachel – great to hear from you. The name Lock is ringing tiny bells in this tired brain of mine but I can’t put any faces to the name. Number 93 is a few doors down from what used … Continue reading →

Hi, what a great website. I thought you might be interested to receive details of my family, who lived in Wolseley Street, same time as you by the sounds of it. My dad, Edward Lock (known as little Ted or … Continue reading →