Hungerford in 1937

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This article is based on a set of notes of a talk given to the HHA by John Allen in 1995:

Who's who?

- Constable: Ernest Munford (1936 - 1940) his daughter Betty still lives in Hungerford today.
- Postmaster: Mr. H. G. Rickard.
- GWR Station Master - Mr. A.J.Allen.
- Police Station - Inspector Rogers.
- Fire Station - was in Charnham Street.
- Town Clerk - Mr. Angus Marshall.

Schools:

- Infant School - Fairview Road, Head Mistress Miss E. Colley.
- Senior School - Fairview Road, Head Master Mr. R. B. Jeal.
- Old National School, High Street, Used for Cookery & Woodwork classes.
- Private School - High Street,
- Miss Salley Richens. Churches.

Churches:

- St. Lawrence - Vicar, Rev. H. Wardley King.
- St. Saviour's - Curate, Rev.C.C.Inchbald. Church made redundant.
- St. Johns Mission Hall, Church Army Chaplin, Capt. Mansfield. Prospect Rd.
- Congregational Church, High Street.
- Methodist - Bath Road.
- Methodist - Bridge Street.
- At this time, there was no Catholic Church in Hungerford.

Medical Services:

- Dr. R. Blake James, Riverside,
- Dr. Stuart-Boyd, The Manor House, High St. (Gateway, Supermarket) Surgery - also at the Manor House.

Utilities:

- Hungerford Gas Works - Charnham Street.
- Wessex Electricity - Smithain Bridge (Works)
- Hungerford Water Works - Salisbury Road, Harry Chapman - Manager. 1937/38. Depth of the bore hole increased from 120' to 195- approx and the old pumping equipment taken out, This was replaced by a New Diesel driven engine (Rushden & Hornsby) This equipment was in service until January 1955.
- Cinema: The Regent. - Top of Atherton Road, and built in 1934.
- Hungerford Club. Situated in The Croft, where it is today.
- British Legion. No British Legion Club as there is today,

Transport:

Great Western Railway.
Newbury & District Bus Company
Giles Bros – Carriers
Barnes of Aldbourne, Carriers
Kennet & Avon Canal - derelict at this time.

Public Telephone Kiosks:

1 Outside the main post office, High Street. H. 107
1 By St John's Mission Hall. H. 139
1 Bear Corner, outside Dr James house at Riverside. H.59

Day by day: (taken from the Newbury Weekly News):

Jan 7th 1937: The Regent – "Hungerford's New Luxury Cinema"

Monday January 11th: Madeleine Carroll & George Brent "The Case Against Mrs. Ames" also William Gargan in "The Sky Parade"

Thursday January 14th: Shirley Temple in "Girl in Pawn" also Alice Brady in "The Harvester" 6.00pm and 8.30pm Matinee Saturday 2.00pm. 6d, 9d, 1/- 1/3 1/6 Inc. Tax.

January 14th: Hungerford Chamber of Commerce: A resolution was passed to ask the Hungerford Gas Co. also the Wessex Electricity Co to consider a reduction in charges for Gas and Electricity in the district.

Dr. Barnardos Young Helper League: The annual box opening of the Hungerford Branch resulted as follows:-Miss Molly Ashby 1½d. Master John Allen 1s. 4½d. and Master Humphrey Hope £1. 0s. 11d. and others making a total of £10. 2s 10.

The Housing Committee reported the acceptance of a tender by J.Wooldridge & Son for the erection of 18 houses in Dog Lane, Hungerford for the sum of £6,102. and the Hungerford Water Works had agreed to the laying of a 3" main in the verge of the adjoining new road on the site.

January 21st: The annual New Year tea took place at the Poor Law Institution on Tuesday. The usual good fare of ham and beef, fancy cakes, biscuits, oranges, sweets and tobacco and matches with of course, crackers, were all much enjoyed, but the entertainment which was to follow, had to be cancelled at the last moment owing to the prevalence of influenza among the would be performers.

January 26th: Good news for Hungerford & District - A new Butchery Department of the Reading Cooperative will be opened at High Street, Hungerford on Tuesday January 26th with daily deliveries in all districts, and dividends on all purchases.

January 23rd: Births. Wyatt. January 23rd, at 32, Atherton Crescent, Hungerford to Mr. & Mrs Wyatt a daughter.

February 8th: The Regent. "Its Love Again" with Jessie Matthews.

February 4th: Hungerford Club: Annual Meeting - Progress Maintained. Membership 124 compared with 135 previous year. During the year, a second billard table had been purchased, and due to the wet season, there was a welcome increase in takings. Dr T.G.Starkey-Smith was re-elected president and Mr.F G Hughes deputy president.

February 4th: The annual party of the Hungerford Womens Institute was held in Church House, was well patronised by members and friends, who were greeted by the President Mrs Neate. An excellent supper was arranged by Mrs B. Thorn and her helpers. The party broke up with the singing of Auld Land Syne.

March 15th: The Regent Cinema: "Small Town Girl" - Janet Gaynor & Robert Taylor.

March 11th: The Annual Meeting of the Local Branch of the South Berks & Conservative & Unionist Association was held in the Corn Exchange on Monday. Commander T, Hatton took the chair, and the financial report by Mr. T. Rumbold showed a satisfactory balance. Commander Hatton announced his resignation as he would be leaving the district, but Mr. E. Little was voted the next Chairman.

Hungerford Rural District Council: The Clerk was voted a sum of £3. to spend on decorations of the Council Offices for the Coronation celebrations as the materials used at the Jubilee were rather shabby.

March 31st: Wessex Electricity announced the lighting flat rate will be reduced from 8d to 7d per unit.

April 1st: Hungerford Petty Sessions: Major H. Harvey of the Three Swans Hotel applied for and was granted an extension on Tuesday next on the occasion of the Hocktide festivities. Before the Town Clerk (Angus Marshall) read the ancient rights and rules governing the Court, the Constable referred to the absence of Mr. H. Astley saying he did not think there could be a more disappointed man in Hungerford. Mr. Astley was confined to his bed with a sore throat, this was his first absence since 1889.

April 29th: Hungerford Choral Society, which is a branch of the Newbury Choral Society, gave a Coronation Concert at Church House, when the quality of the performance deserved a much larger audience. While there is a growing fear that wireless has meant the doom of some choral societies, many people feel there is still a place for musical organ is at ions. The programme opened with a pianoforte duet - Schuberts Unfinished Symphony in B minor by Mrs Strickland and Miss Peggy Raine. The concert ended with "Let thy hand be strengthened", and in this the chorus sang as if they were really enjoying the singing.

May 6th: On Sunday the Bridge Street Methodist Church anniversary, services were held, when the special preacher was Mr. John Mortimer of Reading. In the afternoon a united service for children was held with Mr.E.W.Batt in the chair, and special items sung by the children. A missionary play was performed by old scholars and Mrs Fisher was the organist, and Miss Salt was at the piano.

May 6th: On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, the Hungerford Girl Guides, Brownies, and Rangers, presented one of the most delightful entertainments of recent years in Church House, and their efforts rewarded with financial success. The whole of the members were associated with the programme, and they numbered 38 in all, who had been trained by their Captain Mrs Rogers assisted by Miss G. Nicol, Miss M. Nicol, Miss M. Hicks, Miss Freda Rosier, and Miss Dopson.

Outstanding feature was the play "Seeking a Brownie" by the Brownies, the Coronation Tableau "Britannia" by the Rangers, and a sketch, "Henry VIII at Littlecote by the Guides. There was a substantial profit for general funds.

May 13th: Hungerford School's Success. Football Shield Won: Hungerford Council School won the Berkshire Schools Senior Area Competition by defeating Cranbourne Churhc of England School by 5 - 3 at Hungerford. Both sides were evenly matched and although Cranbourne were quicker on the ball, they did not finish off their attacks. The shield was given by Mr. T. Allen-Stevens, and presented by Inspector Rogers. The Hungerford team were Knight, Stacey, Cruse, Noon, Wilmott, Ralph, G.North, Oland, Stout, R. North, and Pike.

May 20th: A.W.NEATE & SONS: Preliminary - At an upset price of £1,000. "Charnham Lodge", Hungerford. Six bed, bath, three reception, offices,attractive garden, garage etc. Main Services. A.W.Neate are instructed by Commander T. Hatton to sell the property by auction shortly (unless previously sold privately).

May 27th: BOWL3. HUNGERFORD WIN AT FARINGDON: Hungerford visited their oldest opponents Faringdon on Thursday, and as usual were well received, and had a pleasant game.
Details.
Hungerford. E.C.Townsend, S.H.Jessett, H.J.Bushnell, & P.Nichols 4 Faringdon 26
Hungerford. A.W.Glover, G.H.Neale, W.B.Withall, & P.G.Jessett 20 Faringdon 12
Hungerford. J.D.Weils, F.A.Batt, J.Bennett, & F. Bance. 28 Faringdon 15
Hungerford. F.Jessett, E.W.Dopson, P.Kunkler, R.D.Newhook. 20 Faringdon 16
Totals: Hungerford 72 Faringdon 69

On Saturdays Hungerford visited Palmer Park at Reading, but owing to rain, were unable to bowl a wood.

June 3rd: Hungerford Riding School. Tuition. Hacking - 3/6d per hour. Riding, Jumping, and Hunting. Reasonable Terms. Proprietrees -: Miss D. Saunders. Phone Hungerford 10.

June 10th: The Regent Cinema: "Love up the pole" with Vivienne Chatterton and Wallace Lupino. Also Special Pictures of King George VI Coronation, lasting 1 hour.

The Wedding of Dr.D.H.Stuart-Boyd of "Clevedon" High St. Hungerford and Miss Margaret Peart of Dunn Mill, Hungerford. This was solemnised at the Parish Church on Thursday afternoon. Bridesmaid - Mary Peart (sister of the bride), Peggy Raine, and Olivia Turner, and they wore dresses of primrose net with leaf green taffeta sashes, and gold shoes and had a wreath of real flowers in their hair. The brides train was carried by Miss Patricia Hore (niece of the bridegroom). Mr. Gerald Boyd brother of the bridegroom was the best man. Honeymoon in West of Ireland.

Saved from Drowning: Mr. H.W.Giles of High Street was able to save a boy from drowning on Sunday Evening. He was sitting on a seat near the Wine Cellar at Eddington Bridge and hearing a girl shout, ran to the bank of the river, A six year old boy named Cox had fallen in the water and was being washed away. Mr. Giles jumped in the water and was able to save the boy.

17th June: Cancer Campaign: The total amount collected was £27.17s 10d. this being an envelope collection from 624 houses.

24th June: Town Bands Success: The Hungerford Town Silver Prize Band, had another success on Saturday last, when competing in the band contest in connection with the Amesbury Carnival. Owing to the bands previous success, this year it had to enter in a higher section in which it gained third place, after close marking by the adjudicators. For the first time, the bandsmen were wearing their smart new uniforms with blue and gold facings.

July 1st: At Hyde Park: The Hungerford Branch of the British Legion was represented by 16 men on Sunday at the Coronation Review in Hyde Park of ex-servicemen, by the King. Mr. H. Hawkes carried the standard.

July 8th: Cars for Hire: Modern Luxury Saloon Cars for Hire. Chauffeur Driven from 4d per mile. Day trips anywhere from 30/-The Barley Mow - Phone 123.

August 12th: A.W.Neate & Son: £550. Hungerford. Convenient Dwellinghouse. Three bedrooms, bathroom and two sittingrooms, garden, and main services.

August 12th: Fete Result: The sum of £70 was realised by the recent Parochial Fete at the Vicarage.

August 28th: Hungerford Carnival: Hungerford fifth carnival queen is to be Mrs H. Fairfax Harvey of the Three Swans Hotel, who sold the most tickets.
Details of tickets sold: Mrs H.Fairfax Harvey 880; Miss Joyce Elliott 700; Mrs W. Clements 460; Miss Dorothy Underwood 354; Miss Doris Cox 45

Hungerford Carnival 1937: Monday 23rd August. Whist Drive, Corn Exchange 7.30pm. Thursday 26th Aug.
- Aquatic Sports, Canal Wharf. 5.00pm.
Saturday 28th Aug. Crowning of the Carnival Queen. 2.15pm.
Childrens Fancy Dress Parade 2.45pm.
Band Contest.
Great Fun Fair.
Grand Procession 7.15pm.
Monday 30th Aug. Carnival Dance 9.00pm - 2.00am.
Admission 2/6d Single - 4/6d Double.
Tickets from E.Dopson, A.Perdue, Dance Secretary also Hungerford Printing Works.
Report. A Say of joyous revelry, a picturesque-procession through crowded streets, and help given to the Royal Berks Hospital, Reading. The Report continues;- The Whist Drive in connection with the Carnival held in the Corn Exchange on Monday Evening, members of the St Johns Ambulance Brigade were responsible for the organisation, but owing to a very hot evening, there were only 20 tables in play, however, players spent a very enjoyable time, and Mr A.J.Allen being ' the M.C.

A further report about Hungerford's Sixth Carnival: Hungerford's crowded street on Saturday night, flooded with light, along which the picturesque and colourful procession slowly made its way bands playing, the din of the fair, many groups of men and women jostling each other, and throwing bags of confetti, all bore evidence that is was the occasion of the annual carnival. This was the sixth in succession, and was in aid of the Royal Berks Hospital, Reading, and other good causes. Once again, the weather was ideal. Mrs Fairfax Harvey was the Carnival Queen, and was attended by Misa Joyce Ellittt, and Miss Christina Clements. Two little heralds added a splash of colour to the charming group, they Margaret Cox aged 7 and Mary McCarthy aged 8, members of the local pack of Brownies.

September 2nd: Hungerford Produce Market: Messrs A.W.Neate & Sons entry at their market last week included 21,877 eggs, and the actual average price for all grades was 1/8d per dozen, and hens up to 3/- each.

September 16th: Harvest Thanksgiving services were held on Sunday at the Bridge Street Methodist Church, conducted throughout the day by Mr. H.Watkins of Swindon. The customary sale of the produce etc followed on Monday evening, when there was a short musical programme, and the meeting was presided over by the Her. H.J.Sadd, the Supt. minister.

September 23rd: Mat Making at Hungerford: The meeting of the Hungerford Womens Institute took place on Tuesday last week, Miss Little Vice President being in the chair. Members were pleased to hear Mrs B. Thorne had been successful in passing A1. test for soft toy making. Tea hostessses were Mrs Jeal, and Mrs Munford, and an amusing game of roll call, brought the meeting to a close.

Kennet Motor Works. Service and Satisfaction. We will take your present car in exchange for any make of New Car and H.P. can be arranged. We will pay for any modern car not over 10 H.P.

September 30th: More Money Spent on Drink: The increased money spent on drink and its challenge to temperance workers was discussed at the Annual garden meeting of the Newbury Branch of the National British Womens Total Abstainers Union. Tea was served afterwards.

September 30th: Golf at Hungerford: For sometime the need for a golf course has been badly felt at Hungerford. A committee of which Mr. E.W.Munford (The Constable) is chairman, has been convened to consider the possibilities of making a nine hole course on the Common. The Commoners have signified their willingness to allow the Common to be used as a course, and have given facilities for the fairways to be cut and greens enclosed. It is felt if 80 members would join, the club would be sound financially, and the course would be improved year by year.

October 21st: A.W.Neate & Son: Near Hungerford - Small Bungalow and five acres of land, and main water, price - £350.

Draper: Brassiere, Dainty Cream Lace Model, with satin Division – Sizes 30 - 38 Price 3/6d.

October 21st: Hungerford County Court: Messrs Oakes Bros of Hungerford claimed £11 10s 9d from Mrs Kellett of Woolhampton for work done, materials supplied in connection with an attempt to find water. Mr. James Seddon, agreed verbally with Mrs Kellett in May 1936, to sink a well in her garden. He did not guarantee to get water, but only try. A pipe was sunk and water found, but no use for domestic purposes because of quicksand. Judgement was entered for the plaintiffs for the amount claimed with costs.

October 28th: Hungerford Golf Course: Reference to the letter from the Constable in the last issue. Really, to some people nothing is sacred, and they are daring to question the judgement of our unique local council authority. WHY, they are asking is it possible to enclose the greens on the proposed golf course, and not possible to enclose the Recreation Heaven help the unfortunate player who wings a Town Trustee. There are some who think this would be a capital thing, but it would certainly be a capital offence. The golf club, if it ever starts, will fail as most things in Hungerford fail, because local administration closes the door to youth. Even Dick Whittington would have thought twice about turning again if before aspiring to municipal honours, he had been compelled to acquire a Common right house.

Air Raid Precautions: At the Town Hall on Friday, there was a representative attendance at a conference on "air raid precautions". Mr H.E.Phillips, chairman of the Hungerford Rural District Council, which had convened the conference presided. It was agreed and attack on Hungerford was unlikely, but arrangements had to be made.

Hungerford Petty Sessions: Miss Moore applied for and was granted a renewal of her licence for the Regent Cinema, and the Hungerford Club was granted an extension of 1 hour on the occasion of the annual bowls supper.

November 18th: Hungerford Fire Brigade were called to Littlecote on Wednesday last, where on arrival they found the chimney of the keepers cottage well alight. Using First Aid apparatus, they soon had the fire under control. This was the Brigades 13th call this year, which constitutes a record number for one year.

November 25th: Plea for Hungerford Nurses: Nurses at Hungerford Infirmary have to walk in the open between the Men and Womens wards in all kinds of weather, and at a meeting of the Nurses Guardian Committee, it was decided to ask the Public Assistance Committee to provide a covered in way. Rev. W. Kingsly Kefford said it was difficult to obtain nurses these days, and he was in favour of adding to their comfort. If the County Council move as fast as they do in most things, it will not be there for another 10 years observed Mr LE Shergold.

December 9th: At the Parish Church on Sunday Evening, a confirmation service was conducted by Bishop Roscow Saeddon, Vicar of Wantage. There were 25 candidates from Hungerford, In his address the Bishop emphasised how different it was for young people today to live a Christian life. In the olden days family worship was the life of the country.

The Fat Stock Show: With a record entry and satisfactory prices, those for pigs were exceptionally high, yesterday Hungerford Fat Stock Show was one of the most successful held since the association started the annual event 9 years ago. The character of the show has changed in recent years. At one time cattle and sheep were the principal exhibits, with corn and roots as extras. Now pigs and poultry provide 70 per cent of the total entry. The only problem of the association ia to make the show a success financially.

December 30th: Death of Dr T.G. Starkey-Smith: At no time has Hungerford and district felt greater grief than on Thursday last week when it became known Dr TG Starkey-Smith had gone to his rest after a long illness. He had a most cheery personality, which was a great asset to him in his professional, public, and private life. Dr Starkey-Smith was 57 a Lancashire man.