National History Month

In 1911, A.H and C.G Brown expand their business and open a "coach and van works", called the Broadway Motor Works, in the Broadway next to the King's Head. The company managed to keep training until 1990.

Samuel Barfield wrote the book "Thatcham, Berks, and its Manors" but died in 1899, before it could be published. James Parker took on the material and had it published in 1901. To this day the book remains one of the most complete histories of Thatcham. It is spread over two volumes, one containing the appendices which has much of the source material used in the research for the book.

For those who could not find employment here in Thatcham in the late nineteenth-century, but who were young enough to risk trying to make a fresh start, there was always emigration. Thousands of people left England in the nineteenth-century to seek a new life in a new country, including many from Thatcham. A “goodbye supper” was held on the evening of Monday, 9th March, 1891, at the “Wheatsheaf” for “Three Colonists” about to leave Thatcham - Albert Hobbs (the landlady's son), Albert Lavender and Robert heeler. They were emigrating to Manitoba, Canada.

The foundation stone of St Mark's church in Cold Ash is laid in 1864. The church is consecrated in 1865 and a "district Chapelry" in the parish of Thatcham is formed. The architect of the church is C.N.Beazley. The first vicar is Wallis Marmaduke Pickthall, who lives in Vicarage House in Collaroy Road until his death in 1875.

John Barfield, solicitor of the Priory in Church Lane, conveys land next to the Independent Chapel in Church Lane to be used for the British School (Non conformist). It opens in 1847 largely as result of the efforts of Mrs Barfield.

Edward Winbolt, master of Thatcham workhouse, dies in 1835. The workhouse closes in 1837, becoming a private house that is later split into four cottages. It had probably existed from c.1782 or earlier.