17 May 2009
Around 1720, the Bath Road through Thatcham is turned into a turnpike; tollhouses are built and tolls are charged for use of the road. One of the tollhouses, known as Thatcham Gate, is built near where Wyevale Garden Centre is today. Sadly the toll house was demolished in 1965.
16 May 2009
In 1622, the Bishop of Salisbury’s court decides that Midgham and Greenham inhabitants have the right to have the bells of their mother church of Thatcham rung for marriages and deaths within the tithings.
15 May 2009
In 1800, a mob of 300 to 400 local farm labourers gathers in Thatcham churchyard to protest about lack of work, low wages and high food prices. The vicar and local worthies listen to their complaints and the mob is dispersed peacefully by the Thatcham Volunteer Cavalry Corps with the help of the infantry. This …
14 May 2009
Thatcham market, in 1160AD, is attacked by men from Newbury who overturn stalls and cause a pitched battle in the Broadway. The monks at Reading Abbey appeal to the King who issues a further charter directing that the monks be allowed to hold their Thatcham market without interference and forbids the men of Newbury to …
13 May 2009
Of course, times were at their most difficult during the winter months, and there had been a succession of dreadful winters in the late nineteenth century. On January 19th, 1881, George Hawkins was found frozen to death in Cold Ash; he had died whilst returning from Tile Mill with a wagon and horses. It is …