MEMORIES OF MAIDENHEAD

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A big thank you to Shanly Homes for letting us get involved in such a key part of Maidenhead’s history and legacy." When they were formed, The Home Guard had little or no equipment – they armed themselves with shotguns and pistols and wore armbands because there were no proper uniforms. As part of the celebration, one student from Beech Lodge School was chosen to receive a special prize due to his creative sculpture design. In December 2012 the Golden Harp pub in Furze Platt (situated a mile north of the Craufurd Arms) was closed and re-developed into a convenience store. Tesco had secured a 20-year lease on the property without consulting the community as at the time it was not a requirement to do so. Then off to work at the old Police Station, just off Queen Street - Berkshire Constabulary then, follwed by a decade at a local insurance brokers in York Road.

There was a rush by men of 40 and over to join the newly formed Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), later renamed The Home Guard.Christie added: “It has been our pleasure to welcome the children of Beech Lodge School to Waterside Quarter to unveil this fabulous new sculpture. The commentary was provided by the Mayor, who is also seen on screen performing duties and catching a bus. At home, his poor wife looks like more like a servant than his life partner. The pub is prominently located on Gringer Hill, in a densely populated residential suburb, approximately one mile north of the town centre and mainline station.

In 1960, Maidenhead was home to 30,000 people (it was just over 70,000 in 2020), and was a very different place to today. Maidenhead was a dreary place, there were three cinemas, the Rialto, Plaza and the Ritz but few people ventured out at night. As well as morning drop-ins, a local autism group holds regular coffee mornings and social evenings at the pub for parents and carers of autistic children and young adults. The ‘Maidenhead Memories’ group have also held their first meeting at The Craufurd Arms and are planning to meet on the first Wednesday of every month. This group helps to bring together any isolated members of the community. For the duration of the war, White Waltham Airfield was the HQ of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA).Councillor Wayne then wanted permission for traffic signals at the junction of the High Street and King Street. I’d like to express a huge thank you to all the students from Beech Lodge School and their teachers for helping us mark this splendid occasion.” In attendance were the councillors, the Town Clerk, Aldermen (the elders of the council), the Borough Surveyor, the Borough Treasurer, the Medical Officer of Health, the Borough Librarian and members of the public (who may have included local newspaper staff). Mr Bayford from the Public Health team is seen talking to the owner of Steventon’s Stores (“Phone 386”!) There was little choice of clothes, if you wanted to wear anything different we had to make do and mend. Chocolate, sweets and ice-creams were a rarity.