Author Archives: admin

Hi Dez I used to play the cornet in the Spring Gardens Band, along with Derek Watkins and his Dad. His Dad Ted taught me in order to encourage Derek to learn to play.  They lived with Ted’s Wife’s  Mum, … Continue reading →

I wonder if one of Bob’s brothers went to Katesgrove school, a boy called Neale, (whose christian name escapes me) was a prefect there when I was.  He would have been born in the late 1939 or 1940s.I do have … Continue reading →

I was born in Dover St. in 1947 and lived there until 1961 when we were reallocated to Tilehurst. There was a woman who lived in Wolseley St, can’t remember her name, she used to take in the trouser legs … Continue reading →

A couple of photos that might provoke some memories of other Coley School people. First picture – 1952-53 Primary ‘B’ League: Back from left: Alan Jenkins, …….Fowler, Teddy Lock, Clive Upton, Joey Gibbs, Barrie Harris. Front from Left:  Geoff Weller, … Continue reading →

Hi there – I believe there were 2 brothers- Robert and Ronnie Chapman who went to Coley school I don’t know what became of Robert but I think Ronnie used to sell papers in Broad Street – Marcia

I have fond memories of growing up in the early to mid sixties in Heron Way. The community spirit was strong and every one in the close knew each over. Although in my mid 50s now, I do remember the … Continue reading →

You’ve certainly had much more success from your Coley pages than anything coming into the St James pages! I remember the Spring Gardens band in Reading although I can’t recall in what context. The mention of Symonds Brewery always reminds … Continue reading →

I was interested to see the entry from Geoff Weller with the photo of the Coronation Day celebration showing 3 young musicians. My father played in Spring Gardens Band and knew George Watkins and his son Derek.

I have a photo of Rose and Herbert Lawrence (my grandparents) with Win (my mum) next to Rose, and Lily (mum’s sister) next to Herbert. This was probably taken around 1940. My mum and dad were living with mum’s parents … Continue reading →

I have attached a map of Coley, circa 1920’s. Bright St had the Holy Brook at one end and Simmonds Brewery Malt Houses at the Other.  Behind the Malt Houses, Simmonds had their stables,which were acessed from Fobney St by … Continue reading →

Hi John – I was born in 1943 at 26 Bright St ,Coley, as was my brother Tony(1935) and sisters Janet(1939) and Wendy(1941). I was at Coley School from about 1948 to 1954, and then went to Katesgrove for 2 … Continue reading →

Hello John, I had such excitement reading your website after seeing the article about Coley in GetReading last year. My mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandfather lived in Wolseley Street. My mother is aged 89, still fit and … Continue reading →

(In the photo – Wolseley Street 1945) – the lady with one foot on the path the other in the gutter I think is Mrs Seward who lived next door to my gran Millam. Your mum as I recall was … Continue reading →

Hi john just to let you know that Jim Allwood still lives at his old house he never married but I do see him from time to time and we have a few beers, also Richard Bryant still lives in … Continue reading →

Hi John What a great job you have created in contacting all those names of the past appearing at Pauline’s table for the wedding feast was of course a memorable occasion for me to this day. Perhaps you don,t remember … Continue reading →

Hi John, The other reason I am emailing you is to congratulate you on your write up on early memories of Reading and Coley Park, because we lived in Boston Avenue, from 1952 behind the Coley Recreation Ground the other … Continue reading →

I spoke briefly to my mum today and she has given more thought to the photo and concedes that you are correct with the naming of Mrs Gwen Stearman. She also told me that I was inaccurate in the details … Continue reading →

Brion House sent me the following photos (27-11-2012) and I think they are fantastic. Click on each thumbnail to expand the photo in a new window. The1st photo is the Red Lion pub, the 2nd is Coley Steps 1911, the … Continue reading →

Thank You very much Jackie, AT LAST you have identified the person I wanted to KNOW MOST. You say her name was Carol Sayer, I first sent this photo to Veronica Pyke who lived opposite your Mum about 5/6 years … Continue reading →

Hello John Thank you for your very quick reply. Yes, the article which attracted our attention was firstly the picture featured a few weeks ago, the netball team. My Mum was able to name quite a few faces and that … Continue reading →