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Summary:
Faulknor Square lies on the south side of Charnham Street.
Modern numbering is (from left to right): 2 and1 on the south terrace, then 5 on the west terrace.
Photo Gallery:
Faulknor Square, Nov 2015.
Faulknor Square, 1912, showing the lawn, and the low hedge along the Charnham Street boundary.
Charnham Street, with Faulknor Square on the left, on the occasion of Mr Platt's funeral, 1910
Children playing in the flood waters outside The Lamb in Faulknor Square, 16th May 1932
Charnham Street, c1905, showing Faulknor Square on the left.
- Charnham Street, c.1905, showing Faulknor Square on the left.
- Faulknor Square, 1912, showing the lawn, and the low hedge along the Charnham Street boundary.
- Charnham Street, with Faulknor Square on the left, on the occasion of Mr Platt's funeral, 1910
- Children playing in the flood waters outside The Lamb in Faulknor Square, 16th May 1932
The origin of the name "Faulknor":
The origin of the name "Faulknor" had been unclear, but an enquiry about family history in 1992 may give a clue.
Mrs Joan Nichols wrote from Australia, stating "We are descendants of David and Maria Faulknor, who set up business as a draper in the High Street in Hungerford in 1823. In 1868 David and two of his sons apparently had a rope-making business in Church Street Hungerford. In 1884 (or maybe earlier) his son William had a pork butcher shop in Bridge Street, Hungerford.
David was a nephew of Joseph Faulknor, "after whom Faulknor Square was named."
In the 1815 Land Tax Assessment for Charnham Street as occupier of "Land" owned by "Hungerford Parish".
William Faulknor is mentioned in the 1891 Kelly Directory as a pork butcher in Bridge Street, in the 1895 Kelly as a butcher in Bridge Street, and in the 1896 Commoners' List as occupant of 1 Bridge Street.
We have no knowledge yet of a Faulknor rope business in Church Street, and are unable to confirm a Faulknor draper in High Street. However, the 1792 Universal British Directory has a Faulknor as Broker and Auctioneer, and the 1796 Berkshire Directory names him as Joseph Faulknor, Broker and Auctioneer (but no address accompanies this entry, of course).
Caroline Franklin's memories of life in Faulknor Square:
Caroline Franklin, whose parents ran the Bath Road Restaurant (now 4 Charnham Street) for a period, kindly emailed (Oct 2019) with her memories of the square:
"My family moved to Number 4 Faulknor Square from Worcester either in late 1951 or early 1952 when my father, Major Geoffrey Collier, left the army. He and my mother leased the Bath Road Restaurant, which was 4 Faulknor Square, from Simmonds, the brewery who owned The Lamb. I am not sure whether the brewery owned all the properties in the Square. I believe they did.
There were 4 properties with doors on The Square, but it was rather a curious arrangement. As well as Number 4, and its neighbour on the same side, which was Number 3, the property at the back of the square (I cannot remember the number) was at that time occupied by Mr and Mrs Amor. In addition, the door to the right of that property, in the corner, belonged to a cottage property whose main access was up the lane from the Square. The Amors and we at Number 4 also had a back door on the lane.
Mr and Mrs Munday (Mundy?) succeeded Mr and Mrs Amor in the house to the rear of the Square. The property with the door in the corner of the Square and the access in the lane was occupied by Hazel and Bill Tanner and their son, Clifford and later by my uncle and his wife, Donald and Diana Collier.
Meanwhile my parents brought my elderly grandparents, Jack and Louisa Hodges up from Dorset and installed them in Number 3.
Up the lane at the rear of the Square, on the left hand side, was a tiny cottage beyond a garage owned by The Lamb. This was occupied by a very elderly lady, Mrs Bezant (Besant?). Farther back to the right, past the access to the Tanners’ house was a covered area with a row of toilets.
Beyond the toilets was a garage where my father kept his car and a small area before the fence. A path led from here towards the River Dun and to the back garden of The Lamb, but access was prevented by gates.
Beyond the small cottage, on the left hand side was a row of hazel trees and a large garden area with apple trees and a cherry .My father fought manfully to keep this large area tidy. When my grandparents lived next door to us they kept a few chickens there.
My parents ran the restaurant for over 19 years before moving up to 11 Down View, near the common. My mother was in charge of the restaurant, cooking for many coaches which, pre the M4, used the Bath Road to get to the sun. Her main helper was Peggy Sadler, a wonderful Irish lady, who lived at the top of the town. Also helping were Nellie Smith who lived on Strongrove Hill and Eve Tucker. There were several ‘regulars’ who would come and lunch at the restaurant. The hours were from 9 to 5pm. It was hard work for my mother after many years of living as an officer’s wife, but my father was not well and so it was a means of earning a living.
Tradesmen used to call with supplies – Mr Bert Wyatt brought vegetables and fruit and Mr Philip Spackman more general groceries. Another regular caller was the local RAC man, Norman. I remember him in his blue uniform enjoying a cup of tea in the kitchen. Mum was an excellent cook and made particularly good scones. Across the road was The Red Lion café at the back of the car park and my friends and I would sit in the top bay window watching the clientele – some of whom are still around!
When my parents left the restaurant it became an antique shop – I cannot remember the name of the owner.
Next to the restaurant, on Charnham Street, was the old fire station – it was exciting to watch the firemen going out. Next to them lived Mr and Mrs Barnes. Bill Barnes was a cobbler. I believe their daughter, Cissie Norris, and her husband lived with them. Cissie had a sweets and wool shop in Bridge Street. At first this was near the corner, then she took over the small shop next to the River Dun. My father enjoyed chatting with the Barnes’ and Norrises in the tiny little snug bar in The Lamb.
The Lamb was where we had our wedding reception. At that time Michael and Jean Aldridge ran it, together with Desmond, a large and lovely man who looked just like the man in the Go Compare ads!
After we were married we lived for a while next to my parents in Number 3 before buying Hansel’s Cottage in Eddington and subsequently moving to Ramsbury.
I see that the door in the Square which I refer to as Number 4 now has a sign on it saying Nos. 3 and 4, presumably the two houses have been amalgamated."
See also:
- Mrs Joan Nichols letter to the HHA, 1992
- Charnham Street floods, 1894
The Canal Wharf, 2011