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 …
12 May 2009
The occupations of people recorded in the 1881 census together with adverts and comments in the local paper show that sheep, dairy cattle and pigs were farmed locally. They were also marketed locally at Newbury and Reading as well as by public auction at farms; sheep also went to the local sheep fairs such as …
11 May 2009
Roads were not officially named until 1928. Before this point, several road names were different from the modern day and some had more than one name. Chapel Street was once known as East Street, the Broadway was known as Broad Street in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and was also known as South Street. The …