My 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 Teddy), was born in Dec 1941 and lived at 93 Wolseley Street from birth until he married my mum in 1972. My grandparents Edward (Ted) Snr and Doris Lock lived at 93 until their deaths in 1976 & 79 respectively. My dad was the middle of 3 children (Barry, (died 1986) oldest and Carol (died 1999) youngest). The three children all went to Coley Primary School and then onto Katesgrove School. My granddad worked at Gascoigne’s and my nan at the Jam factory although I don’t know the dates they were there.

In my dads late teens and twenties he worked at Castle Street garage. The bottom floor being directly at the end of Wolseley Street. Additionally, he has mentioned a few pubs he used to drink in. Rose and Crown, Barley Mow, Blue Lion. I also recognise some of the names on here from friends he has spoken of

I don’t suppose you have any photos/merchandise to sell as I know that my dad would love to have a piece of his past!

Incidentally, my first flat purchase was 1 Cranford Mews, which is at the Berkeley Avenue end of Wolseley Street. Dad loved to come round to my place and reminisce. I’ve since married and moved to Tilehurst.

I would love to hear from you or indeed anyone else with any questions/comments. I’m a real historian on my dads side so coming across your site has filled me with absolute glee

All the best.

Rachel Goldstone (nee Lock) – email: rachel.goldstone@hotmail.co.uk

Hi John – really love your website,blog.  My grandfather was Maurice Chard, grandmother was Hilda Chard, they lived at 25 Garnet Street.  My father is Brian Chard, sadly my dad passed away in 1992.  My dad’s brother David and Gordon are still alive.  My dad’s sister Doreen Chard passed away a year ago.  Really great to hear about your memories from old Reading.

I have made contact with John Mayo who used to live next door to me at 104 Wolseley Street and I had a very interesting telephone conversation with him.  And to my utter surprise, he told me that his mother Florrie is still living at 104 Wolseley Street and is 102 years old!  What a wonderful achievement.  And she is in good health for her age.

Hi Rachel – it certainly is a small world.  When I first started this web site, someone told me – I think it was Audrey Hora (nee Millam) that Florrie Mayo was approaching 100 years old and still living at 104 Wolseley Street.  I just did a search on www.192.com and she is still listed there along with a couple of J Mayos in Reading.  There is a fair chance one of the J Mayos is Florrie’s son John.

Looking forward to hearing more from you and adding more detail to the web site!!  I can imagine the day when one or more of my grandchildren or great grandchildren will one day travel to the other side of the globe and stroll along Wolseley and surrounding streets thinking that this is where I came from!!

Hi Rachel – it was lovely to hear from you.  I have often wondered if Dave was still alive!  I remember your grandparents although not terribly well.  Gordon rings a bell in my mind as does Doreen.  But Dave was my age – I will be 75 next March.

I am so pleased that my web site gave you and your father some pleasure – one of the reasons I keep it going.  Any memories etc that Gordon or Dave can provide would be very welcome.

Hi. My Dad lived at 25 Garnet Street. His parents were Maurice and Hilda Chard. My Dad is Gordon and he has sisters Joyce and Doreen, and brothers David and Brian. Sadly only my Dad and David are still with us. Looking at your webpage today- on Dad’s 79th birthday- has been a great trip down memory lane.

Hello John, I wonder if my friend Terry Green can be added to your mailing list. Terry is ex-Reading School , 1950-55 and knows a number of the people who pop up in your Posts. I’ve known him since 1963 when we all went on holiday to Italy together sponsored by the then Reading Central Club.

Ken Rose was on that trip. Recently there have been references to Dave Downs who Terry knows well. I’ve also met Dave several times when I go to the Madejski & previously at Elm Park.

Hi John – when I spoke to you about the milkman in the photo I was thinking it was BIG Ken’s dad…the other Ken was little Ken…both brother-in-laws to each other so I hope we have the right Ken lol.

Hi David

Nice to hear from you – I remember your earlier posts enquiring about Ken and also wondering who the milkman was in the main picture. Sorry to hear about Ken – I must have met him when we were kids but don’t remember – Geoff Weller obviously thought he was a great guy.

Cheers
JC

Hi John – I’m June Greswell’s nephew. David

Hi June

So sorry to hear of your loss – I can understand having lost my first wife in 2004 after a brave fight against MSA. I wish you all the very best for the future. I will keep you on the mailing list as requested.

Regards
JC

Good Morning John

It is always good to get your latest posts.  I wonder if you could post on your site for me – very sadly, my husband, Ken Greswell, passed away on 29 November 2014 here in France.  He had fought a very brave battle with cancer.  Please keep me on your mailing list, as I enjoy reading your posts.

With all good wishes for a healthy happy 2015

Kind regards
June Greswell