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Events (1930-1969) This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.

1930 - NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCH NIGHT SERVICE AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > There was a watch night service at St. Luke's Church which was well attended, many staying until after midnight for a service of Holy Communion. A wireless was laid on from the Parsonage to the Church and the bells of St. Botolph's were heard at 11.55, Big Ben at midnight, followed by the peals of Southwark Cathedral. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 11th of January, 1930.

1930 - SUNDAY SCHOOL & CHOIR CHRISTMAS TREATS > 'On Thursday the 2nd' there was a Christmas treat for the Sunday School children at the Memorial Hut, with tea, games, prizes and 'a present for all from a resplendent Christmas tree'. 'On Tuesday evening' there was a social evening for the senior members of the choir at the Parsonage by the Rev. A. G. and Mrs Barley. 'A most enjoyable time was spent in harmony, songs, games, tea etc.' There was a similar event the following evening for the junior members of the choir. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 11th of January, 1930.

1930 - JAMES SMITH IS M.C. AT TADLEY WHIST DRIVE > A Conservative Association whist drive took place in the Church Hall, Tadley 'on Friday in last week. ...A very happy time was spent by the large company, many friends coming over from the villages around. ...Mr. James Smith, of Pamber Heath, admirably carried out the duties of M.C.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 11th of January, 1930.

1930 - S.P.G. FILM & LECTURE AT THE MEMORIAL HALL > The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (S.P.G.) film 'Our Own People Overseas' was shown at the Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath on Saturday last. Mr R. B. Hunter gave an interesting address on the missionary work as the pictures were shown. Proceeds were in aid of the S.P.G. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of January, 1930.

1930 - DEATH OF JOB RAWLINGS AT PAMBER HEATH > After a lingering illness Job Rawlings passed to his rest at the home of his brother, William Rawlings, on the 7th of January, aged 57. The funeral took place at the Old Priory Church on Saturday afternoon attended by many mourners, the Rev. E. J. Bolus (Vicar) officiating. There were many wreaths and several bunches of flowers. Mr George Naish was the undertaker. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of January, 1930.

1930 - RECORD GALE CAUSES HAVOC IN THE LOCAL AREA > Silchester: 'The terrific gale which swept through the area on Sunday night left a trail of havoc and damage in the neighbourhood. Trees, including many huge elms were blown down in all directions and all roads were blocked. Telephone and telegraph wires were blown down and services disorganised. Buses had great difficulty in getting along and many people were unable to reach their homes and had to put up with impromptu lodgings for the night. Many roofs were damaged. It was considered a record gale in the opinion of the older inhabitants.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of January, 1930.

1930 - GENEROUS ANONYMOUS GIFT TO ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > Rev. A. G. Barley announced at the service on Sunday morning that he had received an anonymous gift of £20 in Treasury notes by post, which would clear off the balance owing on the St. Luke's Church restoration and improvement fund. The effort to raise £300 for this work was therefore now complete. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 15th of February, 1930.

1930 - DEATH OF FORMER PELICAN INN LANDLADY THIRZA BEER > Thirza Beer, landlady of the Pelican Inn, died around this time as her death was registered in the March quarter at Basingstoke. She was 77 years of age. Her full name was Thirza Hooper Beer (formerly Gunning). She married Daniel George Beer on the 26th of December, 1882 at St. Paul's Church, Tongham, Surrey. Her husband Daniel was the landlord of the Pelican Inn by 1899 and after his death in 1901, she became the landlady. In 1906 she sadly lost her youngest son Leonard, who died after a short illness. She was still landlady in 1923. By 1927, Herbert Jack Benham was the landlord of the Pelican Inn. ITEM 0335 SOURCE: General Register Office Index of Deaths as well as trade directories, newspaper articles etc.

1930 - EASTER SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH WELL ATTENDED > The services on Easter Sunday were well attended with 85 communicants during the day. The church was beautifully decorated and 'reflected credit on those whose artistic hands executed this labour of love'. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 26th of April, 1930.

1930 - DEATH OF GEORGE POTTER AT 'THE OLD HATCHET' > The passing of George Potter at his residence, 'The Old Hatchet', Pamber Heath, on Thursday week at the age of 82, caused widespread sympathy. Mr. Potter was a native of Wimborne. He was head gamekeeper at the Aldermaston Estate of the late Mr. C. E. Keyser for 21 years before retiring on a pension. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at Tadley Church, attended by family and friends. Rev. A. G. Barley of Pamber Heath 'impressively performed the service'. Mr. Potter leaves a family of four sons and four daughters. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 26th of April, 1930.

1930 - WILL OF GEORGE POTTER > A register of wills proved in the Winchester Probate District is held by Hampshire Record Office and includes the registered copy will of George Potter of Pamber Heath, who died this year.  If you wish to view this will at Hampshire Record Office, you are requested to use microfilm M433 rather than the original document. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Document ref. 5M62/49 page 307, Hampshire Record Office.

1930 - VISIT OF VISCOUNT LYMINGTON TO PAMBER (HEATH ?) > A public meeting was held in the Memorial Hall on Friday evening in last week. The meeting was well attended and presided over by Major- Gen. Sir Wyndham Knight, K.C.I.E. C.B. D.S.O. J.P. Both Lord and Lady Lymington were present. Lord Lymington's 'speech on current politics was listened to with rapt attention. He expressed his special pleasure at the homeliness of the meeting'. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 17th of May, 1930.

1930 - PAMBER HEATH WOMEN HOST SILCHESTER W.I. MEETING > Silchester - The monthly meeting of the Silchester branch of the Women's Institute was held 'in the Village Hall on Wednesday. ...The hostesses for the day were all residents of Pamber Heath - Mrs. T. Benham, Mrs. H. Benham, Mrs. J. Benham and Mrs. Colebrook. A splendid tea was provided. ...Mrs. Whitcher, of Winchester, gave a most interesting and instructive demonstration on loose covers. The usual business was transacted.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 17th of May, 1930.

1930 - RUMMAGE SALE AT MR. LYALL'S GARAGE AT PAMBER (HEATH ?) > A rummage sale was held on Saturday last at Mr. Lyall's garage in aid of the Priory Church choir outing fund. Despite the stormy weather there was a good sale and hence a good financial result. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 7th of June, 1930.

1930 - HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > On Thursday evening the 9th of October, a harvest thanksgiving service was held at St. Luke's Church. The church was beautifully decorated. The former curate of St. Luke's Church Rev. E. A. Hopkins came from Ampfield to preach the sermon. Mrs. Barley was at the organ. The services were continued on Sunday when 'there were full congregations and hearty singing'. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of October, 1930.

1930 - PAMBER AND MONK SHERBORNE BECOME ONE PARISH > 'Owing to Monk Sherborne and Pamber being legally united into one parish by an Order in Council, it was necessary for the Vicar (Rev. E. J. Bolus) to be inducted as Vicar of the united parishes with All Saints as the parish church. The Vicar was instituted on Monday last at Wolvesey by the Bishop of Winchester. On Tuesday evening the induction took place by the Rev. G. H. Jeudwine, Rural Dean of Basingstoke.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of October, 1930.

1930 - CATCH OF A FINE PIKE BY WALTER POTTER > Last week, while fishing in the River Kennet at Padworth, Berks, Walter Potter of the Pelican Inn Anglers' Club, Pamber Heath, succeeded in landing a fine pike after a twenty minutes' tussle. It proved to be 9lbs. in weight and 2ft. 7ins. in length. It was put on view at the Pelican Inn, where it was much admired. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 25th of October, 1930.

1930 - 'AUNT MARY' DIES AGED 76 > Miss Mary Ann Wickens, familiarly known as 'Aunt Mary', died aged 76 at the residence of Mrs Simpson, Pamber Heath (believed to be in The Glen). The funeral took place at the Old Congregational Meeting House on Tadley Hill, attended by a large gathering of the deceased lady's nephews and nieces. There were some nice flowers to adorn the grave and the polished coffin, with brass fittings, bore the inscription: 'Mary Ann Wickens, died 21st Nov., 1930, aged 76 years.' ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of November, 1930.

1930 - DEATH OF ELIZABETH TULL (WIFE OF JOHN TULL) > ' On Wednesday, Nov. 19th, at Chestnut Cottage, Silchester, the residence of her youngest daughter, ...Mrs. Elizabeth Tull, widow of the late Mr. John Tull who pre-deceased her about 12 years ago...Born at Silchester, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Bartlett...was in her 77th year, leaves a family of two sons and five daughters. The funeral took place...at Silchester Church. The family mourners were...Mr. Stephen Tull (brother-in-law)...Mr. G. Tull (Pamber Heath). ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 29th of November, 1930.

1930 - SUCCESSFUL SALE AND SOCIAL EVENING > 'The energetic body of workers in connection with St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, held a very successful sale and social evening on Monday, the 15th, in the Memorial Hall.' There were various stalls and teas were served. Many local women assisted and in the evening a social was conducted by the Rev. A. G. Barley. There were songs, recitations, games and community singing. £17 was raised. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 27th of December, 1930.

1931 - WEDDING OF MABEL MONGER TO HARRY COOPER > 'On Saturday afternoon last a wedding took place at the Old Priory Church, Pamber witnessed by a goodly gathering of relatives and friends. The Rev. A. G. Barley officiated. The bride, Miss Mabel Dorothy Monger, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Monger, of Fir Tree Cottage, Pamber Heath, was given away by her father. She wore a dress of georgette and lace, a veil and coronet of orange blossom, and carried a bouquet of carnations and fern. She was attended by four bridesmaids - Miss  Lizzie Monger (sister of the bride), Miss Nancy Stroud (cousin), Miss Maud Cripps and Miss Pearl Thomas (nieces).' The bridegroom was Harry Cecil Cooper of Reading, attended by his brother Mr. S. B. Cooper and the reception was held at the Memorial Hall. 'A happy evening was spent in harmonious games and dance.' (The full text list the presents and from whom.) ITEM 0366 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 7th of March, 1931. News cutting courtesy of Norman Cooper. (See the Memories and Pictures page 10 for photos of this wedding).

1931 - REV. ALFRED GEORGE BARLEY FINISHES HIS MINISTRY AT PAMBER HEATH > The Rev. Alfred George Barley leaves Pamber Heath  after serving the people of Pamber Heath for several years at St. Luke's Church.

1931 - REV. JOHN ARTHUR MOORE COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'Others besides church people will regret to learn of the impending departure from Portsmouth of the Rev. J. A. Moore...Mr. Moore will not be leaving Hampshire. He has accepted the charge of two rural parishes near Basingstoke - St. Luke's Pamber Heath, and Little London.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 4th of May, 1931.

1932 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF NORA ADA MONGER > Nora Ada Monger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Monger, of Pamber Heath, passed away on the 24th of February, 1932 at the early age of just 32 years old. Consumption had brought this young life to an early end. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church at Tadley Hill on the 27th of February, 1932 attended by many of the deceased's family and friends. (Summary of a newspaper article from memory - read online but became unavailable when about to transcribe). ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, February, 1932.

1932 - TRAGIC DROWNING OF LEONARD BOYD IN CHINA > Able Seaman Leonard Francis Boyd, of Ladybird (H.M.S. Ladybird), who had served 8 years with distinction and was shortly due for promotion, fell overboard from a pontoon at Kiukiang, on the Yangtze River, China and drowned during the evening of the 9th of May this year. His body was recovered and buried in the Kiukiang Cemetery. He was in his 24th year (born in 1908). He was the second eldest son of Mr and Mrs Francis Boyd of Pamber Heath, who were informed by telegram on the day following the incident. ITEM 0365 SOURCE: Transcription of a newspaper cutting without a date (probably from the Hants & Berks Gazette) and ITEM 0364 SOURCE: General Register Office's index of marine deaths, 1932 (age stated as 23). News cutting courtesy of his niece - Vanda Scutter. The news story was taken up by many newspapers nationwide.

1932 - REV. JOHN ARTHUR MOORE IN AN ACCIDENT > The Rev. John Arthur Moore of St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, met with an accident around this time. No more details have been found as yet. ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 30th of December, 1932.

1932 - DEATH OF REV. JOHN ARTHUR MOORE IN LONDON > 'His many friends in Portsmouth will hear with regret of the death of the Rev. J. A. Moore, formerly curate-in-charge of St. Patrick's Mission, Milton. Mr. Moore, who met with an accident three months ago, died on Tuesday (in London). For the past 18 months he had been curate-in-charge at Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke. He leaves a widow (Dorothy) and one child.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 30th of December, 1932.

1932 - CHARLES STROUD BECOMES PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN > At a meeting of Pamber Parish Council Charles Stroud became chairman. His father, William Stroud, was elected the first Pamber Parish Council chairman in 1894. Charles Stroud was a labourer and lived at 'Rose Cottage', Burney Bit. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book as well as other documents.

1933 - DEATH OF STEPHEN TULL OF PAMBER HEATH > Stephen Tull, son of the late Aaron Tull and the late Rachel Tull of Pamber Heath, passed away in this year, aged 80 years old. He was a shoemaker and at one time a hire carter and farmer. He leaves a wife Keturah and sons George and Arthur. The lane where he lived became known by locals as 'Stephen Tull's Hill' and by some as 'Steepie Tull's Hill' because he lived at the top of the hill in the lane now known as The Glen. ITEM SOURCE:

1933 - DEATH OF HARRY MERRILL COLEBROOK AT PAMBER HEATH > 'Petersfield residents will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr. Harry Merrill Colebrook, J.P., which took place at his residence, Littlefold, Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, at the age of 69. Mr. Colebrook was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Hampshire in April, 1911, and always discharged his duties in this capacity with marked keenness and ability. He left Liphook some years ago but continued to attend and adjudicate at the Petersfield Bench, where his death will come as a great loss. There will be a private cremation to-day and it is requested that no flowers be sent.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 19th of April, 1933.

1935 - REV. WILLIAM WHITE COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY > Around this time the Rev. William White commenced his ministry at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath.

1936 - POKER ATTACK LEADS TO A JAIL TERM FOR WILLIAM RAWLINGS > 'For hitting his uncle over the head with a poker during a family quarrel, at Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, William Rawlings, of West Street, Tadley, was sentenced at Basingstoke to four months' imprisonment. ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Gloucester Journal, 4th of April, 1936.

1936 - REV. WILLIAM WHITE TAKES UP A NEW POST AT DEEPCAR CHURCH > 'New Curate - The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr. L. H. Burrows, visited Bolsterone Parish Church yesterday to licence Rev. William White, formerly of Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, to the curacy of Deepcar Church. ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Sheffield Independent, 29th of July, 1935.

1936 - ASSAULT AND THREATS AT PAMBER HEATH > 'Iris West, aged 20, was summoned by Mrs. Ellen Monger for having assaulted her; and Mrs Ellen Monger was summoned by Iris West for having used threats towards her...Mrs. Monger, wife of Charles Monger, Pamber Heath, said that on the night of 15th July she had a conversation with a neighbour about a dispute. Mrs Stroud came up and began talking to Iris West about the dispute. Witness said, "Don't bring Iris into the bother; it's nothing to do with her". Iris then came up and hit witness in the jaw with her fist, loosening a tooth. There was a scuffle and witness fell down. She had a bump on her head and a bruise on her chest, and her face was bleeding...P.C. Amess, Silchester. said that at 10 pm on Wednesday, 15th July, Mrs Monger made a complaint to him...Mrs. Monger lived about a hundred yards away from the Wests. Mrs. Stroud lived next door to the Wests...The magistrates found Iris West guilty of assaulting Mrs. Monger...did not want to send her to prison and they did not see that it would be much use fining her, but she would have to pay the cost of the summons 4/-. They found that Mrs. Monger did use threats against Iris West and she would have to pay the costs of the summons, 4/-. Both of them would be bound over for twelve months to keep the peace.' ITEM 0381 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 7th of August, 1936.

1936 - CHURCH ARMY CAPTAIN MITCHELL LEAVES DERBY FOR PAMBER HEATH > 'After four years' service in the Church Army, Captain and Mrs. W. E. Mitchell are leaving Derby to take over similar appointments at Pamber Heath, Basingstoke, Hampshire. There was a large attendance at a farewell service at All Saints' Mission Arch.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Derby Daily Telegraph, 26th of September, 1936.

1936 - CAPTAIN WILLIE E. M. MITCHELL COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY > Around September this year, Captain Willie E. M. Mitchell of the Church Army commenced his ministry at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, assisted by his wife Amy Mitchell. See the item above.

1936 - AIR-RAID PRECAUTION MEETINGS ORGANISED > Pamber Parish Council began organising air-raid precaution meetings in view of the threat of war. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book.

1937 - JACK STROUD BECOMES VILLAGE POSTMAN > Jack Stroud (William John Stroud) of Heath Cottage, Impstone Road became the village postman. He is the son of Albert and Annie Stroud of the same address. SOURCE: Jack Stroud.

1937 - GEORGE NAISH RETIRES AS A BUILDER AND UNDERTAKER > Around this time, George Naish retired as a builder and undertaker. The last listing in the British Telephone Directory for George Naish as a builder was in 1937. His son Arthur Ernest Naish carried on the business but at some point at Arthur's home in Impstone Road. (See the item below indicating that Arthur was an undertaker in this year.) Arthur was first listed in 1939 as a builder and undertaker by Kelly's Directory. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1937 and ITEM SOURCE: Kelly's Directory, 1939.

1937 - JESSIE STROUD DIES IN READING > Jessie Stroud, mother of grocer Barrie Stroud and former grocer of Stroud's Shop in Pamber Heath Road, died at the age of 76 on the 10th of May, 1937 at 56 Kidmore End Road, Emmer Green, Caversham, Reading. She was the widow of William Stroud, grocer and mealman of Pamber Heath, who died in 1912. Jessie was born on the 17th of May, 1861 at Binfield Heath, Eye and Dunsden, Reading. In her younger days, at the age of 19, she was working as a housemaid for the clergyman at Sherfield-on-Loddon Church, Hampshire. She married William Stroud, a widower, in 1898 at Caversham. She left a will, which she had made on the 5th of June, 1926, leaving her estate to her son Barrie. SOURCE: Death certificate, copy of the will and other documents.

1937 - FUNERAL OF JESSIE STROUD > 'The funeral took place on Saturday last. A memorial service was held in The Friends' Assembly Room, Pamber Heath, conducted by Mr. Alfred Monger, of Sherborne St. John...The interment took place at The Old Meeting Congregational burial ground, Tadley Hill, in the same grave as her husband. The service at the graveside was conducted by Mr. A. R. Colman, of Pamber Heath...Mr. Arthur Naish, of Pamber Heath, carried out the funeral arrangements. There was a very large gathering of relatives and sympathising friends. (Many names listed in full article) Beautiful floral tributes were sent.' ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, May, 1937.

1937 - LIONEL THOMAS WAKEFORD MOVES TO PAMBER HEATH > Around this time, Lionel Thomas Wakeford moved to Pamber Heath from Tilehurst, Berkshire, to take up residence of a large house in Silchester Road, Pamber Heath, known as 'Longcroft'. He was working as a Mechanical and Electrical engineer. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1937.

1938 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF BROOM-MAKER FREDERICK BOWMAN > 'We regret to record the death of Mr. Frederick Bowman, who passed away on Sunday, April 10th, at the age of 74 years...Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved widow and the family of two sons and a daughter. Mr. Bowman was the head of one of the leading firms in the Tadley broom-making industry, and he was well known over a wide area. He was a devoted and consistent worshipper at the Old Meeting Congregational Church. He had attended the Sunday School in his youth, and had been a constant worshipper at the services, scarcely ever missing a Sunday's attendance. He reached his 74th birthday on April 1st. He had been seriously ill with a complication of complaints for about six months. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the 13th inst., amidst every token of respect and sympathy. The service was taken in the Old Meeting Church, where he had attended all his life...Mr. Naish, undertaker of Pamber Heath, carried out the funeral arrangements satisfactorily.' Many names and relationships listed in the full article. ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 22nd of April, 1938.

1938 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF KETURAH TULL > 'On Wednesday, the 4th inst., Mrs. Tull, widow of Mr. Stephen Tull, passed to her rest, after a short illness, at the advanced age of 82 years. She had outlived her husband about five years. Mr. and Mrs. Tull were long residents at Pamber Heath, where they were well known and highly respected, Mr. Tull carrying on the business of small-holder and hire carter. Their two sons George and Arthur survive them. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church, Mortimer West End, on Saturday, the deceased being interred by the side of her husband...Mr. Naish, undertaker of Pamber Heath, carried out the funeral arrangements.' Many names and relationships listed in the full article. ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 13th of May, 1938.

1938 - GORDON FOARD IN COURT MARTIAL AT BORDON > 'A court martial which lasted for seven hours at Bordon yesterday, concerned charges against Gordon Alfred Foard (19), of the 39-96th Battery, 19th Field Brigade, Royal Artillery, Bordon, who lives at Armistice Cottage, Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke and Gunner William Charles Hines (19), of the same unit. Hines and Foard pleaded guilty to taking away and driving an Army car, and not guilty to deserting with intent to avoid service in India and escaping from the guardroom at Louisburg Barracks, Bordon, when in confinement and under close arrest...The car was taken away from Bordon on September 6, and was found abandoned the next day in a field near the Public Assistance Institution, Basingstoke. Ford added that he escaped from his cell by picking the lock and he released Hines from the other cell...The finding of the court will be made known.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 14th of October, 1938.

1938 - DEATH OF GLADYS KITCAT AT LEE-ON-SOLENT > 'Kitcat, Gladys Muriel Paul of Forest View, Pamber Heath, Basingstoke, Hampshire, spinster, died 29th November, 1938 at Barton Lodge, Clifton Road, Lee-on Solent, Hampshire. Probate, London, 26th January to Aubrey Paul Kitcat of no occupation, Eustace Nugent Kitcat, solicitor, and Hugh Paul Kitcat, stockbroker. Effects £10,371 8s. 1d.' ITEM 0367 SOURCE: Probate Registry Index, 1939.

1939 - CAROL SERVICE AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'On New Year's Day at evensong at St. Luke's Church carols were sung. Captain W. E. Mitchell, C.A., gave the address, and Miss Smith was at the organ.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 7th of January, 1939.

1939 - PELICAN INN BAR BILLIARDS TEAM WIN THEIR MATCH > 'Bar Billiards - An interesting league match was played at the Pelican Inn on Monday, when The Round Oak, Padworth, team were the visitors, the home team winning by four games to one.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 14th of January, 1939.

1939 - PARTY HELD FOR ST. LUKE'S CHURCH MOTHERS' UNION > 'On Friday last week, St. Luke's Mothers' Union held a party in the Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: 14th of January, 1939.

1939 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH SUNDAY ANNUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 'Sunday School Treat - The annual Christmas and New Year treat for scholars at St. Luke's Sunday School, organised by Mrs. James Smith, took place in the Memorial Hall on Saturday. After tea there were games until Santa Claus arrived. Presents were presented...a social followed in aid of school funds. Captain and Mrs. Mitchell and Miss Grimwade were present.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 14th of January, 1939.

1939 - WILL OF GLADYS MURIEL KITCAT > 'Miss Gladys Muriel Paul Kitcat...daughter of the late Revd. David Kitcat, of Westonbirt...Testatrix left £100 to Miss Grimwade, if still serving, or £50 if not; £50 to Monk Sherborne Parish Church; £3000 upon trust for her sister Hilda Millicent Paul Kitcat for life; £100 each to her nephew Cyril Vernon Kitcat, Gerald Paul Kitcat and Lionel Paul Kitcat; £100 to Florence Eve Patricia Gregory; £50 each to her sister Sybil Millicent Paul Kitcat and her niece Frances Mary Onslow; some specific bequests, and the residue of the property equally between her nephews Eustace Nugent Kitcat and Hugh Paul Kitcat.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Gloucestershire Echo, 31st of January, 1939.

1939 - SOCIAL AT PAMBER HEATH MEMORIAL HALL FOR CHOIR OUTING FUND > 'A social was held in the Pamber Heath Memorial Hall on Saturday in aid of the Choir Outing Fund. Mr. Charles Martin and Mr. Reg. C. Andrews were joint M.C.s. Music was provided by Mr. Arthur Sandford (organist, St. Luke's Church), Mrs. Sandford and Miss Martin, who played the piano in turn, accompanied by drums by Mr. L. Stacey. Mr. C. Milne and Mrs. Jack Hobbs played piano-accordions. A competition for a basket of assorted pots of jam, presented by Miss Grimwade, was won by Mrs. Arthur Long, jun.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 4th of February, 1939.

1939 - ANOTHER SOCIAL AT PAMBER HEATH MEMORIAL HALL > 'On Saturday at the Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath, a social was held in aid of St. Luke's Church choir summer outing fund. Music was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Sandford at the piano and Mr. Milne (piano-accordion).' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 18th of February, 1939.

1939 - DEATH OF MRS. E. A. HOPKINS ANNOUNCED > 'At St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, on Sunday, the preacher (Captain W. E. Mitchell, C.A.) made sympathetic reference to the death of Mrs. E. A. Hopkins, wife or the Rev. E. A. Hopkins, vicar of Burley in the New Forest. Mr. Hopkins was formerly curate-in-charge of St. Luke's, Pamber Heath. Members of the congregation attended the funeral, which was took place at Longparish, Hants, on Monday.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 18th of February, 1939.

1939 - PELICAN INN TEAM LOSE BAR BILLIARDS FINAL TO SIX BELLS, READING > 'Reading Bar Billiards Final - The Six Bells, Kennet Side, Reading, won the final of the Reading district competition of the National Bar Billiards Association on Thursday last week before a large crowd at The Pond House, Reading. They defeated The Pelican, Pamber, champions of the Theale-Mortimer district, by three games to two...Replica cups and tankards were also received by The Pelican (winners of the Mortimer League).' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 18th of March, 1939.

1939 - EASTER SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'St. Luke's Church was profusely decorated for the Easter Day services...The morning and evening services were conducted by Captain W. E. Mitchell (Church Army), who preached the sermons...Mr. Arthur Sandford was at the organ.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: 15th of April, 1939.

1939 - FUNERAL OF NORMAN HINE BENNY > 'Mr. Norman Hine Benny, aged 27, late Armoury Sergeant, R.A.O.C., died at his residence at Pamber Heath on Thursday last week after a long illness. Mr. Benny and his family had recently moved from Bramley Camp to Pamber Heath. Mr. Benny was invalided out of the Army, and after treatment of a few months his health appeared to be restored...The funeral took place on Monday at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath...The casket containing the ashes will be finally interred in the family grave at East London Cemetery. The funeral arrangements were carried out by the Basingstoke Co-operative Society.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 27th of May, 1939.

1939 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH GARDEN SALE AND FETE > 'The annual garden sale and fete, in connection with St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, was held at the Memorial Hall and grounds on Saturday...a dance followed in the evening, Mr. C. Martin being the M.C., music being supplied by the Troubadors Band. There was a great variety of stalls and side-shows at the fete. The ankle competition for ladies was judged...the winners being: 1, Mrs. F. Lambden, 2, Mrs. Winkworth.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 10th of June, 1939.

1939 - RESULT OF THE SALE AND FETE IN AID OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'As a result of the sale and fete in aid of St. Luke's Church, £32 was raised for church funds.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 17th of June, 1939.

1939 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING > 'The annual outing of the St. Luke's Church Sunday School took place on Saturday, Bournemouth being visited by motor-coaches.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 5th of August, 1939.

1939 - W.I. MEETING HELD AT LONGCROFT, PAMBER HEATH > 'The August meeting of the Silchester and District W.I. was held at Longcroft by invitation of Mrs. Wakeford (hon. secretary)...Miss Karslake (president)...congratulated the members on the success they obtained at the Basingstoke produce exhibition...A talk was given by Mrs. Wakeford on her first visit to British North Borneo. After tea a cut flower exhibition was held...During the afternoon various games were organised.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 12th of August, 1939.

1939 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH CHOIR OUTING > 'On Saturday, in fine weather, members of St. Luke's Church choir, church-workers and friends took part in an excursion to Bournemouth by coach.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 19th of August, 1939.

1939 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF ALFRED GEORGE LAMDIN > 'The death of Mr. Alfred George Lamdin, aged 76, occurred at Haslemere, Surrey, on Monday last week. Mr. Lamdin was born at Pamber Heath, where he spent his early life, and attended Silchester School. For many years he carried on business at the Village Stores, Mortimer West End, combined with a general coal and grain delivery business around the villages...About 30 years ago he and his family moved to Haslemere, where, with the assistance of his sons, he worked up an extensive coal merchant and motor garage business...The funeral took place on Friday last week at Mortimer West End.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 2nd of September, 1939.

1939 - ALDERMASTON COURT ESTATE TO BE SOLD IN LOTS > An illustrated catalogue with plans for the sale of Aldermaston Court Estate was produced. The estate would be sold in lots at Reading on the 20th and 21st of September, 1939. This land was formerly owned by Mr. Charles Keyser, who died in 1929 and passed to his wife, who died in 1938. Some of this land would form the area which would become a housing development and a road built that would be named Pelican Road, although in the parish of Aldermaston. I am told that the area was not allowed to be built on for many years and it was not until about 1960 that the development started. It would be many years later that the Pelican Road area would become part of Hampshire, due to a boundary change. ITEM SOURCE: Sale catalogue, Berkshire Record Office, Ref. CPC3/18/1 and other documents.

1939 - ALDERMASTON COURT ESTATE SALE - PAMBER HEATH BUYERS > '...the auction of the Aldermaston Court Estate, which took place at Aldermaston on Wednesday and Thursday, conducted by Messrs. Gribble, Booth and Shepherd, of Basingstoke, on behalf of the vendors, who had purchased the property as a whole from Captain C. N. Keyser...Other purchasers were...Mr. H. J. Cottrell (Pamber Heath)...Mr. L. T. Wakefield (Pamber Heath - should L. T. Wakeford)...Mr. A. Smith (Pamber Heath).' ITEM 0388 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 23rd of September, 1939.

1939 - START OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR > September, 1939 saw the start of the Second World War.

1939 - HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'Services of thanksgiving were held in St. Luke's Church on Friday last week and Sunday. The church had been tastefully decorated and the collections and sale of produce were in aid of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 7th of October, 1939.

1939 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH RAISES MONEY FOR ROYAL BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL > 'The total amount raised on behalf of the Royal Berkshire Hospital as a result of the sale on Monday, added to the church harvest festival collections, was £4 4s. 8d.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 14th of October, 1939.

1939 - FUNERAL OF THE REV. A. G. BARLEY AT FROXFIELD > 'The death has occurred of the Rev. A. G. Barley, who was for many years curate-in-charge of Pamber Heath Church. He had since been vicar of Froxfield, Wiltshire. The funeral took place on Saturday at Froxfield...Several friends from Pamber Heath attended...Simultaneously with the funeral service at Froxfield, a memorial service was held in St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath...He made the alterations to the Church of St. Luke's...and worked very hard to raise the money needed for that and the organ.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 14th of October, 1939.

1939 - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'On Sunday, services of Remembrance were held in St. Luke's Church. Captain W. E. Mitchell (Church Army) was the preacher throughout the day. At the evening service Mr. Charles Martin read the Roll of Honour.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 18th of November, 1939.

1939 - TADLEY SCHOOL PHOTO TAKEN, PAMBER HEATH CHILDREN APPEAR ON IT > Class unknown but all named on accompanying list by Iris Stanley (formerly Appleton), who appears on it. ITEM 0008 SOURCE: Photograph and list of people for 1939 photograph.

1939 - ANDREW BROADHURST A SHOPKEEPER IN THE GLEN > Andrew Broadhurst was recorded as keeping a shop at Pamber Heath this year but it was possibly opened some years earlier (other editions of Kelly's Directory have not been found). Andrew was the son of William Broadhurst, a general labourer of Pamber Heath, and his wife Mary. Andrew was born in 1890 at Pamber Heath and originally lived with his family in what is now Impstone Road but later in a bungalow at The Glen with his brother William. The shop was run from the bungalow and sold general items as well as sweets. Rose Long was a housekeeper/shop assistant there in 1940 when she was tragically killed after a bomb exploded, demolishing the property (see the photograph on the Memories and Pictures page). Jack Stroud recalled that the part of The Glen where the shop was situated used to be just a footpath then. There was no access for vehicles or carts to that area and it was only the upper part of The Glen towards Impstone Road which was wider. The Glen used to terminate as a roadway near to the bottom of the hill just before Andrew Broadhurst's shop and Jack said there was possibly a style there where the footpath began. It is not known when the shop closed or whether it continued in the new bungalow that was built to replace the one demolished. ITEM 0314 SOURCE: Kelly's Directory of Hampshire, 1939, as well as Census returns, newspaper reports and verbal testimonies.

1939 - GORDON FRANK LONG FINED FOR MOTORCYCLE OFFENCES > 'Police Court - Gordon Frank Long, of Pamber Heath, near Reading, was fined 5s. on each of seven offences committed by riding a motor-cycle along the London Road, Camberley, on November 6th. Offences dealt with were driving the motor-cycle without a licence or a policy of insurance, horn, silencer, number plate or rear light, and for having an unscreened head-lamp. Pleading guilty, Long said the motor-cycle was on tow to Blackwater Railway Station, where it would be put on rail for his home. The tow broke down so he decided to drive the motor-cycle for the rest of the journey to the railway station.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 2nd of December, 1939.

1939 - TED SMITH AND THE UNUSUAL FIND OF A ROBIN'S NEST > 'Unusual - This week Mr. Ted Smith, wood merchant of Pamber Heath, found a newly-made robin's nest, containing six eggs. This is considered very unusual for the end of November.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 2nd of December, 1939.

1939 - WHIST DRIVE HELD IN AID OF THE WAIFS AND STRAYS > 'A whist drive for waifs and strays took place in the Memorial Hall, Pamber Heath.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 30th of December, 1939.

1939 - CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 'Christmas at St. Luke's - The services on Sunday were well attended. In the morning Captain W. E. Mitchell officiated...Mr. A. Sandford was at the organ throughout Christmas services...On Christmas Day, the 9 o'clock Holy Communion service was well attended.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 30th of December, 1939.

1939 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR. CHARLES WHITE > 'The death of Mr. Charles White, aged 75, occurred suddenly on Tuesday last week. In early life Mr. White emigrated to Canada, where he spent 10 years in farming. His only son, Mr. William White, has since taken over the farm. Mr. White was a regular worshipper at St. Luke's Church. The funeral took place on Saturday, a service at St. Luke's Church being conducted by the vicar of Monk Sherborne and Pamber...The interment took place in the Old Meeting Congregational Church, Tadley, Burial Ground, in the same grave as his wife.' ITEM 0384 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 30th of December, 1939.

 1940 - CAROL SERVICE POPULAR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE > A good congregation attended the carol service at St. Luke's Church on New Year's Eve, conducted by Capt. W. E. Mitchell of the Church Army. Mr. Arthur Sandford was at the organ. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 5th of January, 1940.

1940 - REV. EDWARD JOHN BOLUS COMMENCES HIS MINISTRY AT PAMBER HEATH > Around this time, the Rev. Edward John Bolus became the resident curate at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath.

1940 - PROPOSED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SCHEME TO PAMBER HEATH > March, 1940. ITEM 0168 SOURCE: Tadley Parish Council minutes.

1940 - LOCAL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS PLATOON FORMED AT PAMBER > A platoon of the Local Defence Volunteers was formed on the 3rd of June, 1940 at Pamber, under Lt. John Herbert Midgley, in response to appeals for volunteers to defend the country in the event of an invasion. A call for volunteers had been broadcast on the radio on the 14th of May, 1940 by Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for War. The platoon was part of B Company, 3rd (Basingstoke) Battalion, Hampshire Local Defence Volunteers ITEM SOURCE: Home Guard Records as reproduced in 'Around Tadley, fact and fable', 1999.

1940 - DEATH OF MRS. PAULINE OPPÉ > The death of Mrs. Pauline Oppé, widow of Mr. S. A. Oppé, took place at Pamber Heath on Saturday at the age of 91 years. 'During her long residence at Pamber Heath, Mrs. Oppé has taken a keen interest in everything for the welfare of the village and has generously supported the Church and various local associations.' The funeral took place on Tuesday at St. Luke's Church. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 14th of June, 1940.

1940 - LOCAL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS NAME CHANGED TO HOME GUARD > On the instructions of Winston Churchill, the name 'Local Defence Volunteers' was changed in July, 1940 to 'Home Guard' as he felt the original name was uninspiring. ITEM SOURCE: Internet article.

1940 - OLIVE HUNT HONOURED FOR CARETAKING AT ST. LUKE'S > Mrs Olive Hunt, caretaker of St. Luke's Church for 38 years, was presented with a teapot, a packet of tea and an envelope containing Treasury notes complete with an illuminated list of subscribers, by Rev. E. J. Bolus, who said a few words in appreciation. Miss Grimwade also spoke. The ceremony took place after the service on Sunday evening, on the lawn outside the Church. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 9th of August, 1940.

1940 - COMFORTS FOR THE SERVICES > The monthly whist drive was held at the Memorial Hall on 'Friday'. The amount raised was £1. 18s. 8d. for the wool fund. The drives will continue on the first Friday of each month. 258 parcels of garments were sent in the first year of the war. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 13th of September, 1940.

1940 - TWO KILLED IN THE BOMBING OF PAMBER HEATH > Two people were killed (Mrs. Winifred Long and Miss Rose Long), two houses were demolished and twelve others badly damaged after three high-explosive bombs were dropped on the village late on Monday morning. There was a number of minor casualties but these were treated on the spot by a first aid party sent out 'from a nearby town'. One of the demolished cottages belonged to Mr. (Andrew) Broadhurst. The funeral of Winifred Long took place on Thursday the 19th at the Old Meeting, Tadley and the funeral of Rose Long took place on Friday at the Gospel Hall, Burney Bit. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 20th and 27th of September, 1940.

1940 - BISHOP OF SOUTHAMPTON VISITS ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > Right Rev. Dr. Karney, the Bishop of Southampton came to St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, on Sunday for the evening service, during which he dedicated the beautiful oak lectern, reredos and altar rails, which were provided for in the will of the late Miss Gladys Kitcat. There was a large congregation. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 27th of September, 1940.

1940 - HOME GUARD PLATOON FOR PAMBER HEATH AND SILCHESTER > On the 8th of October, 1940, the Pamber and Silchester Home Guard platoons were renamed. Pamber Heath was separated from the rest of Pamber and joined with Silchester with the name of No. 1 Platoon, Silchester and Pamber Heath, B Company, 3rd (Basingstoke) Battalion, Hampshire Home Guard, while the rest of Pamber was renamed No. 2 Platoon, Pamber, B Company, 3rd (Basingstoke) Battalion, Hampshire Home Guard. ITEM SOURCE: Home Guard Records as reproduced in 'Around Tadley, fact and fable', 1999.

1940 - SUDDEN DEATH OF MR W.T. CULVER OF PAMBER HEATH > Mr William Thomas Culver passed away after a seizure in Reading on 'Sunday'. He was 60 years old and a native of Mortimer, where he was at Brocas Lands Farm, Mortimer West End for about 15 years. The funeral took place at The Old Meeting Congregational Church, Tadley, on 'Wednesday', attended by many family and friends. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 22nd of November, 1940.

1940 - EVACUEES FIND SHELTER IN PAMBER HEATH > Many evacuees from places such as London and Portsmouth were given a home in Pamber Heath during the Second World War. Mr and Mrs West of Burney Bit gave a home to 2 boys - Gordon Pye and his twin brother, Evelyn and Harry Bailey of Pamber Heath Road took in a couple of girls from Portsmouth. Pearl and Howard Stanley of Burney Bit took in a boy named Anthony. There was a girl named Rosie Brant who was given a home by Mr and Mrs Cottrell. Adults also took refuge in the village. Sydney and Annie Brewer and daughter were to come to the village in 1941, as well as Annie Brewer's mother and father Tom and Amy Brown (see item below). SOURCE: Letters from former evacuees and personal testimonies.

1940 - JACK STROUD FINISHES AS VILLAGE POSTMAN > Jack Stroud (William John Stroud) of Heath Cottage, Impstone Road, Pamber Heath, finished as the village postman. SOURCE: Jack Stroud.

1941 - DEATH OF SOPHIE MARGUERITE OPPÉ IN WILTSHIRE > 'Oppé, Sophie Marguerite of The Red House, Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, Hampshire, spinster, died 2nd March, 1941 at Fiddington House, Market Lavington, Wiltshire. Administration Llandudno, 5th August to Albert Sanvill Oppé, barrister and Adolphus Paul Oppé C.B. of no occupation. Effects £2220 16s.' ITEM 0368 SOURCE: Probate Registry Index, 1941.

1941 - SYDNEY BREWER OPENS A CYCLE SHOP > Sydney Brewer arrived in the village in late 1941, following his wife Annie and daughter Jean who had evacuated to the village from London earlier in the year to escape the bombing raids. He set up a cycle shop in Clapps Gate Road, a short distance in the same road from where he and his family were living. An old railway carriage was made use of for his shop, which was previously occupied by George Long as a home. Some 20 - 30 men moved it from one side of the road to the other in Clapps Gate Road on rollers to a site which used to be where Brown's Cottage stood (now part of Ilex Close). That cottage was damaged beyond repair in a bomb blast at Pamber Heath in September 1940, which was ironical in view of the fact that Sydney and his family had come to the village as it was deemed a safer place to live. Sydney sold cycles as well as parts and repairs were carried out. He also made miniature penny farthing cycles for local children to enjoy. The shop was a welcome addition to the village facilities and much appreciated by locals. SOURCE: Photograph of the shop, dated 1941 and verbal testimonies.

1942 - ANNIE BREWER'S DIARY OF PAMBER HEATH EVENTS COMMENCED > Annie Brewer, wife of Sydney Brewer, cycle agent of Pamber Heath, was keen on keeping a diary and had detailed her experiences as a young woman in London during the First World War, when bombing raids were taking place. Now, years later and married with a daughter, she had come to Pamber Heath to escape the London bombing raids of the Second World War. She had recorded details in her diary of the many events of the war internationally and nationally. Now she also began to record local events in the village where she lived. The first entry relating to Pamber Heath was on the 2nd of January, 1942. The diary would prove to be an invaluable record of village events throughout the war and long afterwards. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - MRS LONG HAD A PIG KILLED > 2nd of January, 1942. 'Mrs Long had a pig killed on the 2nd of January, 1942.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - FIRE WATCHING > 8th of January, 1942. 'Sydney (Brewer) was fire watching.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - BLIZZARDS IN PAMBER HEATH > 19th of January, 1942. 'Thick snow all day and night. Blizzards so bad the children couldn't go to school.' 20th of January, 1942. 'Snow so thick no one could get to work. The kiddies had a fine time.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - FLOODS IN PAMBER HEATH > 25th of January, 1942. 'Flooding after thaw of recent snow.' 'Thaw set in, the roads were flooded. What a mess!' 28th of January, 1942. 'Floods everywhere.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - MORE SNOW PREVENTS SCHOOLING > 1st of February, 1942. 'Snow again, no school for the kiddies.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - SYDNEY BREWER CLEARS SCOUT HUT IN MORTIMER > 10th of February, 1942. 'Syd went to Mortimer to clear his stuff out of the Scouts' Hut he was renting.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - GORDON ALFRED FOARD KILLED IN ACTION > Gordon Alfred Foard, son of the late Alfred Huskinson Foard and Maud Eva Sarah Elizabeth Foard (Cox) of Pamber Heath, was killed in action on the 19th of February, 1942, while serving with the 25 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He was 21 years old. ITEM SOURCE: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

1942 - BREWER FAMILY MOVE TO 'THE WILLOWS' > 5th of March, 1942. 'Came to live at 'The Willows' (Arthur West's cottage in Clapps Gate Road). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - SYDNEY BREWERS SELLS 20 CARRIER CYCLES > 7th of march, 1942. 'Syd had a good deal. Sold 20 of his second-hand Carrier cycles.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - JEAN BREWER JOINS PAMBER HEATH GUIDES > 18th of April, 1942. 'Jean joined the Guides at Pamber Heath.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - JEAN BREWER NEARLY KILLED BY CAR > 23rd of April, 1942. 'Jean fell under a car & was nearly killed. Thank God she was not hurt except shock.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - CHILDREN'S CORNER AT PAMBER CHURCH DEDICATED > 3rd of May, 1942. 'Children's Corner in Pamber Church dedicated to Rev. Bolus. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - AIR RAID WARNING > 4th of May, 1942. 'Air Raid warning.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - GARDEN FETE AT THE MEMORIAL HALL > 6th of June, 1942. 'Garden Fete at the Hut with tea & dancing in the evening.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - GUIDES' PICNIC > 27th of June, 1942. 'Jean went on Guides' Picnic.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - CYRIL LANKESTER PAUL BECOMES A PRISONER-OF-WAR IN ITALIAN HANDS > 'Among a list of names of prisoners of war in Italian hands, received from an enemy source appears the name of ...and Sec.- Lieut. Cyril John Lancgaster Paul, Little Fold, Pamber Heath near Basingstoke.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Portsmouth Evening News, 27th of June, 1942.

1942 - APPLICATION MADE FOR AIR RAID SHELTERS > Pamber Parish Council made an application for the adequate provision of air-raid shelters in view of '...the close proximity of the parish to the new aerodrome'. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book.

1942 - PEGGY WEST JOINS BALLOON BARRAGE > 17th of July, 1942. 'Peggy West joined the Balloon Barrage.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - GUIDES' PICNIC > 26th of July, 1942. 'Jean went to Guides' Picnic.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - AMERICAN AIRMEN STARTED IN TADLEY > 9th of August, 1942. ' American Airmen started in Tadley.' 15th of August, 1942 'More Americans arrived by air for Tadley.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - FRANK FOARD KILLED IN ACTION > Frank Alfred William Foard (Alfred Frank William Ford), son of the late Alfred Huskinson Foard and Maud Eva Sarah Elizabeth Foard (Cox) of Pamber Heath, was killed in action between the 30th and 31st of August, 1942 while serving with the 4th Queen's Own Hussars of the Royal Armoured Corps. He was about 20 years old. ITEM SOURCE: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

1942 - PIES SUPPLIED AT PAMBER > 17th of September, 1942. 'Started having pies supplied for Pamber - very good idea.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - SYDNEY BREWER A WARDEN > 17th of December, 1942. 'Syd went to his first Warden's meeting.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1942 - PAMBER HEATH GIRL IS FIRST FEMALE MEMBER OF TADLEY BAND > Margaret West, a 12 year-old from Burney Bit became the first female member of Tadley Silver Band. ITEM 0113 SOURCE: Article written and prepared for press release by Margaret's brother Donald Lane in 2000.

1943 - LOUIE RAMPTON MARRIED > (Louisa Rampton married Donald Brownlie) 13th of February, 1943. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - FIRST MILITARY WHIST DRIVE > 17th of March, 1943. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - BREWER FAMILY MOVE TO 'CLAYTON' > 9th of March, 1943. 'Moved from Mr West's bungalow over the road to 'Clayton' Pamber.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - STARTED 6.30 SERVICE AT CHURCH > 15th of March, 1943. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - FETE AT THE HUT > 20th of June, 1943. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - MRS BRAKESPEAR CAME TO LIVE AT 'WILLOW COTTAGE' > 19th of July, 1943. (Willow Cottage was in Clapps Gate Road). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - REV. BOLUS'S LAST SUNDAY AT PAMBER > 29th of August, 1943. (He was the vicar of Pamber). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - KEITH HUNT HOME FROM GERMANY > 29th of October, 1943. 'Keith Hunt came home from Germany. Welcome home party for him at Silchester.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1943 - WILFRED RAMPTON KILLED IN ACTION > Serjeant Wilfred Charles Rampton, son of Charles and Alice Rampton of Pamber Heath, was killed in action on the 9th of December, 1943 while serving with the 11 Bty., 3 H.A.A. Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He was aged 26. ITEM SOURCE: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

1944 - PAMBER HEATH HOME GUARD > A body of Pamber Heath and Silchester men were enlisted during the war to form a home guard platoon to defend the local area in the case of an invasion. No documents have been found to date except for a photograph taken in 1944, probably as a record of the unit before being disbanded. Former members have told me of the activities of this unit, being first called Local Defence Volunteers and they had no uniforms to start with - just arm bands. There were training exercises with home-made bombs, patrols around the village, shooting and hand-grenade courses at Bramley, as well as guard duties at Worting Bridge in Basingstoke. Fortunately, the photograph lists the name and rank for each person shown. The Pamber Heath members included Percy Stroud, Ralph West, Stan James, Joseph Mitchell, Frank Clarke and Rowland Boyd. The platoon was known as No. 1 Platoon, B Company, 3rd (Basingstoke) Battalion Hampshire Home Guard. ITEM 0328 SOURCE: Home Guard Photograph, 1944 as well as verbal testimonies of former members.

1944 - REV. EDWARD KEITH QUICK & MRS QUICK INTRODUCE THEMSELVES > 7th of February, 1944. 'Rev. & Mrs. Quick held a reception to introduce themselves to the people of Pamber Heath (he was the vicar of Pamber - not the curate at Pamber Heath) - a very happy gathering.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - PELICAN INN PUBLICAN JACK BENHAM DIES AT AGE 43 > Herbert Jack Benham (known locally as Jack Benham) passed to his rest at the age of 43 years. Jack had been a baker in December 1920 and had married Alice May Hunt earlier that year. He was the landlord of the Pelican Inn by 1927. His daughter Phyllis took on the running of the public house for a while following the untimely death of her father but I am told it became too much for her and former bus driver Harry Cottrell of Pamber Heath then took on the job. Jack was buried on the 12th of February, 1944 at Silchester Parish Church. ITEM 0319 SOURCE: Register of Burials, Silchester Parish Church, GRO BMD index, as well as verbal testimonies.

1944 - MOTHER'S UNION TEA IN THE HUT > 3rd of March, 1944. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - BREWERS START HELPING WITH SUNDAY SCHOOL > 5th of March, 1944. 'Syd and I started helping with the Sunday school with Mrs. Mitchell.' (Believed to be at St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - PRESENTATION TO MRS SMITH > 12th of March, 1944. 'Presentation to Mrs Smith on her retiring from the Sunday School.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - WEDDING OF AGNES & ROWLAND BOYD > 8th of April, 1944. 'Agnes & Rolley (Rowland) Boyd were married at Bromley.' (Actually took place at Lewisham, London - not at Bromley as she stated). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - CHORUS BOOKS INTRODUCED AT SUNDAY SCHOOL > 9th April, 1944. 'Syd first introduced the Chorus Books in the Sunday School.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - CONCERT AT SILCHESTER CHAPEL > 7th of May, 1944. 'Concert at Silchester Chapel given by American Male Voice Choir.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - ALL HAD NEW RATION BOOKS > 30th of May, 1944. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - CHURCH FETE > 17th of June, 1944. 'Church Fete. Sunday School stall made £12.7.6.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - MRS BRAUN & CHILDREN COME TO PAMBER > 28th of June, 1944. 'Mrs Braun & children came to Pamber away from the raids.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - NEVILLE BROWN KILLED IN ACTION > Sergeant Neville Ward Brown, son of Thomas and Amy Caroline Brown of Beckenham, Kent, was killed in action on the 17th of July, 1944 while serving with 150 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas and Amy were evacuees in Pamber Heath during the war. ITEM SOURCE: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

1944 - END OF BLACK-OUT > 16th of September, 1944. 'Summer time ends & end of Black-out.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - WEDDING OF ISABEL LONG AND BILL (GODFREY) BIRCH > 23rd of September, 1944. 'Isabel & Bill were married at The Priory Church. We all went to the wedding party at The Hut (Memorial Hall).' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - STARTED HAVING MEAT PIES IN PAMBER > 1st of October, 1944. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary. (I -  Raymond West - was told that these pies were issued by Miss Katharine Grimwade, at the Memorial Hall in Pamber Heath Road).

1944 - HARRY COTTRELL BECOMES LANDLORD OF THE PELICAN INN > It was around this time that Harry Cottrell became the landlord of the Pelican Inn public house. Following the death of former landlord Herbert Jack Benham (known as Jack Benham) in February, 1944, his daughter Phyllis took over for a while but it became too much for her. Harry's grandmother Hannah Newman was a former landlady of the Pelican Inn. Harry was formerly a bus driver. SOURCE: Verbal testimonies and photographic evidence.

1944 - STAND DOWN OF HOME GUARDS & WARDENS > 3rd of December, 1944. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - HOME GUARDS STOOD DOWN TO BECOME A RESERVE UNIT > The Home Guard Platoon consisting of men from Silchester and Pamber Heath, was officially stood down on the 3rd of December, 1944 and became an inactive reserve unit. A photograph was taken, detailing the names and ranks of those serving. ITEM SOURCE: Internet article.

1944 - UNITED PARTY AT THE HUT > Boxing Day, 1944. 'Arranged by Granny & Margaret. White frost everywhere.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1944 - COLDEST DAY FOR 54 YEARS > 31st of December, 1944. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - BRIGHT HOUR PARTY IN AID OF PRISONERS OF WAR > 3rd of January, 1945. Proceeds of £16 in aid of the Prisoners of War in Germany. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PRIZE GIVING > 12th of January, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - GUIDES' PARTY > 18th of January, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - ROY BENHAM KILLED IN ACTION > Roy William Benham (William Roy Benham), son of Jack Herbert and Alice May Benham of Pamber Heath, was killed in action on the 24th of March, 1945 while serving with the attd. H. Q. 5th Parachute Regiment Bde. of The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. He was 20 years old. ITEM SOURCE: Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

1945 - LANTERN SERVICE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL > 30th of March, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - VE DAY CELEBRATIONS > 8th of May, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - WOUNDED SOLDIERS ATTEND SOCIAL > 12th of May, 1945. 'Had the wounded soldiers down from Prewett to a social.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - WINDING UP OF THE CIVIL DEFENCE > 26th of May, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - GARDEN FETE FOR CHURCH FUNDS > 9th of June, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - PARK PREWETT SOLDIERS TO TEA > 21st of July, 1945. 'Had some of Park Prewett to tea out in the garden & had a Whist Drive in the evening. They all enjoyed it and thanked us.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - PEACE WAS DECLARED AND GREAT REJOICING AND THANKSGIVING > 15th of August, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO WINDSOR > 8th of September, 1945. 'Sunday School outing to Windsor for tea and then on to Burnham Beeches.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - FIRST DANCING CLASS AT THE HUT (MEMORIAL HALL) > 31st of September, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - SYDNEY BREWER WINS FIRST PRIZE AT FANCY DRESS > 12th of October, 1945. 'Fancy Dress Dance at Basingstoke Town Hall. Syd won first prize. 10/- Certificate.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - GALE AND STORM > 25th of October, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - DANCE HELD FOR MISSION TO 'SEA MEN' > 25th of October, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - DANCE AT THE HUT IN AID OF HAGUE FUND POPPY DAY > 11th of November, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - FIRST DANCE AT THE HUT USING THE PICK UP WIRELESS > 8th of December, 1945. 'Very Successful so far.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - EX P.O.W. BERT RAMPTON RETURNS HOME > 18th of December, 1945. 'Bert Rampton came home, after being a prisoner of war in Japanese hands for two years.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - DANCE AT THE HUT > 22nd of December, 1945. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - PARTY AT THE RED HOUSE > Christmas Day, 1945. 'We all went round to the Red House to a party given by Miss Haywood. 14 of us had a lovely time.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - PARTY AT THE HUT FOR BERT RAMPTON > Boxing Day, 1945. 'A big party at The Hut for Bert Rampton's home-coming. About 60 guests and a wonderful spread. Thanks to Granny Saunders & Mrs Rampton for inviting us all.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1945 - TADLEY SCHOOL PHOTO TAKEN, PAMBER HEATH CHILDREN APPEAR ON IT > Class unknown, possibly 5 or 6 but all named on accompanying list by Edwina Rampton (formerly Hobbs), who appears on it. ITEM 0010 SOURCE: List of people for 1945 photograph.

1945 - PAMBER HEATH AND SILCHESTER HOME GUARD PLATOON DISBANDED > The Home Guard platoon, consisting of Pamber Heath and Silchester men, had been an inactive reserve unit since the 3rd of December, 1944 but on the 31st of December, 1945 this Home Guard platoon was officially disbanded, along with all others nationwide. On disbandment, the Pamber Heath and Silchester platoon and the Pamber platoon had a combined strength of 127 men. ITEM SOURCE: Home Guard Records as reproduced in 'Around Tadley, fact and fable', 1999.

1946 - ROBERT MOWAT WEDS IVY BATESON AT FULWOOD > 'Mowat-Bateson - On Jan 21st, at Christ Church, Fulwood, by the Rev. R. Littler. Robert William, third son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Mowat, of Pamber Heath, Basingstoke, to Ivy, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bateson, of Fulwood, Preston.' ITEM SOURCE: The Lancashire Evening Post, 22nd of January, 1946.

1946 - MARGARET BROWN WEDS STANLEY BURNINGHAM > Margaret Brown, daughter of Tom and Amy Brown married Stanley Burningham on the 26th of January, 1952 at Pamber Priory Church. ITEM 0175 SOURCE: Parish register of weddings.

1946 - CHILDREN SENT A MESSAGE FROM THE KING > A personal message from the King was given to all the boys and girls at school who shared in the hardships and dangers of the war (in the form a plaque to hang on a wall). On the reverse side there was a list of 'Important War Dates'. ITEM 0303 SOURCE: Copy of the document signed by George R.I., dated 8th of June, 1946.

1946 - DEATH OF CONSTANCE VIOLET MIDDLETON > Constance Violet Middleton, eldest daughter of George Heber Middleton, a retired butcher of Pamber Heath, died on the 23rd of August, 1946, aged 46, at The County Hospital, Winchester. She had been born on the 10th of November, 1899 at Stratfield Saye, Hampshire, the daughter of George Heber Middleton and Annie Goymer Middleton. She never married and is survived by her father George and sisters Muriel and Nancy. She was buried at Pamber Priory Church. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1946 - WELCOME HOME SUPPER FOR EX-SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN > 50 Ex- service men and women sat down to a 'sumptuous' meal at the Memorial Hall, followed by speeches, presentations and a concert, as a show of appreciation by the people of the village for what they had done in the cause of their country. ITEM 0304 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 3rd of January, 1947.

1946 - MORTIMER WEST AND PAMBER HEATH NURSING ASSOCIATION > A nursing association of Mortimer West and Pamber Heath had been in existence since 1904 to provide nurses and midwifes to care for the local people. In 1946 financial accounts and statements were published and it is not clear if that was as a result of the closure of the organisation or not. The President was stated as Mrs. Karslake and the agent for Pamber Heath was Miss (Katharine) Grimwade. These financial papers are lodged with the Hampshire Record office. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Documents ref. 4M59/122, 1946-1947, Hampshire Record Office.

1947 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH BEGAN MARRIAGE CEREMONIES > Marriages began to be conducted at St. Luke's Church in Church Road, Pamber Heath. Previously, weddings for the local people were conducted at Pamber Priory Church, which is actually in the parish of Monk Sherborne but attached to Pamber for church purposes, as Pamber had no parish church within its borders. Marriages include those of Walter Potter, Edwina Rampton, Barbara Bailey and Douglas James. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Document ref. 39M75/PR26, Register of marriages (St Luke's, Pamber Heath) 1947-1985.

1947 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 11th of January, 1947. 'Mrs Woodall arranged it and we had a jolly time.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - FREEZING WEATHER CAUSES HAVOC > 25th of January, 1947. '...the roads which were frozen & very dangerous. ...they could not work on the land. Trains and ships were held up owing to snow and ice. All our water froze.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - GUIDES SOCIAL AT THE HUT > 3rd of March, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - BIG THAW SETS IN & CAUSES FLOODS > 12th of March, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - MAUD CRIPPS MARRIED > (Rosa Maud Cripps married Frank West) 5th of April, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - EASTER SUNDAY EGG SERVICE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL > 6th of April, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - NEW RATION BOOKS > 12th of June, 1947. 'Went to the hut to get our new ration books.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - CHURCH FETE > 14th of June, 1947. 'Church fete, wet day & it had to be held in The Hut but our proceeds were very good, in spite of the weather.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - SYDNEY BREWER SUNG AT A CONCERT AT SILCHESTER > 29th of June, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - COMMITTEE MEET TO RAISE FUNDS TO START YOUTH CLUB > 6th of August, 1947. 'We have a committee meeting in our sitting room (Clayton, Clapps Gate Road) to arrange a fete for funds to start a Youth Club at Pamber Heath.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - FETE FOR YOUTH CLUB FUNDING > 9th of August, 1947. 'Fete in Pamber for the Youth Club. It was held in field of The Pelican, kindly lent by Mr Cottrell, who gave us all the help they could to make the fete a success, as it certainly was. Mr. Johnson worked very hard at the microphone. The proceeds reached £60. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - ARCH DEACON OF BASINGSTOKE PREACHED 'AT OUR LITTLE CHURCH' > 10th of August, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - COMMITTEE MEETING IN VIEW OF FORMING A YOUTH CLUB IN PAMBER > 11th or 12th of August, 1947 (day missing). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - YOUTH CLUB RECREATION GROUND > Recreation ground east of shop on Silchester Road allowed for Pamber Heath Youth Club. ITEM 0168 SOURCE: Tadley Parish Council minutes.

1947 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO BOGNOR > 14th of August, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - 'HARVEST FESTIVAL AT OUR LITTLE CHURCH' > 28th of September, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - BURNINGHAM'S MOVE INTO 'HAVENLEIGH' > 18th of October, 1947. 'Margaret and Brum (Stanley Burningham) started life in the new bungalow 'Havenleigh' (Clapps Gate Road - now number 4 Ilex Close). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - SUNDAY SCHOOL > 22nd of October, 1947. 'Captain and Mrs Michael (should be Mitchell) had a talk with us about taking over the Sunday School.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - HANGING OF THE ROLL OF HONOUR > 8th of December, 1947. 'The Roll of Honour was hung and unveiled at The Memorial Hut.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1947 - PETROL CUT STARTED > 8th of December, 1947. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1948 - BLACKSMITH JOHN JAMES DIES AGED 92 > 'One of Tadley's oldest resident, Mr. John James, aged 92, of The Forge, Tadley, died recently. He earned his weekly florin a week in 1874 as an apprentice to Mr. Foster, who was the Blacksmith at Bramley and walked to Bramley night and morning. Mr. James married at the Baughurst Tabernacle in 1878 and is survived by his wife, aged 93. Following his apprenticeship, Mr. James set up business in Tadley, continuing for many years and latterly being assisted by his sons.' ITEM SOURCE: Newspaper item (probably the Hants & Berks Gazette), January, 1948.

John died on the 16th of January, 1948 and was buried at the Tadley Old Meeting burial ground at Tadley Hill about the 19th of January, 1948.

1948 - CRAWFORD BEER OF THE CROWN INN DIES AGED 64 > Crawford James Beer, son of the former Pelican landlady Thursa Beer (now deceased) died on the 18th of May, 1948. He was survived by his widow Kathleen Beer. Crawford had been landlord of the Crown Inn at Silchester for at least 28 years. ITEM SOURCE: Probate Calendar, 1948.

1948 - GEORGE NAISH DIES IN READING AGED 82 > George Naish of Pamber Heath, died around this time at the age of 82 in Reading, very likely at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. He had moved to Pamber Heath from Soke Road, Mortimer West End in 1929 and was a widower. He came to live at 'Beacon View' (number 20 Pamber Heath Road). George was a carpenter, builder, painter and decorator and undertaker. George employed a housekeeper - Louisa Jane Ford. He was a highly respected builder and made the improvements to St. Luke's Church. He impressively performed his funeral director duties for many people in the local area. It is believed that he was buried at Mortimer West End Church. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1948 - DEATH OF DRUSILLA JAMES OF THE FORGE, TADLEY > Drusilla James, widow of John James, of the Forge, Pamber Heath Road, Tadley, died at the age of 93 on the 10th of November, 1948. She was born on the 3rd of April, 1857 at Andover, Hampshire, the daughter of Luke and Ann Lock. She was baptised on the 5th of July, 1857 at Andover, Hampshire. The family moved from Andover and lived in various places but in 1871 were living in the Mortimer Road in the parish of Ufton, Berkshire. She married blacksmith John James at the Baughurst Tabernacle on the 15th of March, 1878. In 1881 the family were living at Tadley Hill and John was a blacksmith. By 1891 the family were living at Pamber Heath Road, Tadley at The Forge. Many children were born to the marriage and the family lived in a cottage next to The Forge in Pamber Heath Road. The burial took place at the Tadley Old Meeting burial ground about the 13th of November, 1948. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1948 - ELECTRICITY GO AHEAD > March, 1948. Long overdue. ITEM 0168 SOURCE: Tadley Parish Council minutes, 1948.

1948 - FINAL CONSENT FOR ELECTRICITY LINES IN TADLEY > April, 1948. ITEM 0168 SOURCE: Tadley Parish Council minutes, 1948.

1948 - FREDA HOBBS'S 21ST BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE HUT > 10th of April, 1948. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1948 - YOUTH CLUB FETE - PROFIT £85 > 24th of July, 1948. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1948 - TABLET DEDICATED AT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > 31st of October, 1948. 'Tablet was dedicated in St. Luke's Church to those who fell in the war from Pamber Heath.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1948 - YOUTH CLUB WENT TO MORTIMER FOR FIREWORKS > 5th of November, 1948. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1948 - RED HOUSE TENANCY COMMENCED BY MINISTRY OF WORKS > A tenancy agreement of The Red House, Pamber Heath near Basingstoke (which included a plan) was completed on the 6th of December, 1948 between Paul Oppé of London and the Minister of Works. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Document ref. 74A06/19, Hampshire Record Office.

1948 - RED HOUSE SOCIAL EVENING > 25th of December, 1948. 'Home to dinner and tea and then went to the Red House for a jolly evening, arriving home at 1.30 am.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - BURNEY BIT EXTENSION FOR NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT > The Burney Bit used to finish just past the cottage that became number 19 but a new housing development was underway in this year, the road being extended to give access to the homes. A tarmac road would be put down. Unfortunately, it was not planned to tarmac the whole road from Pamber Heath Road meaning that the old part would be left as it was (a gravel road). The area to be developed was formerly fields and I am told there was a gate at the end of the Burney Bit there for access. SOURCE: Verbal testimonies.

1949 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, HOUSE AND COTTAGE ACQUIRED BY PCC > The Parochial Church Council began the acquisition of St Luke's mission room, a house and cottage at Pamber Heath. The correspondence concerning the acquisition and administration of these properties by the PCC of Monk Sherborne, covering the period 1949-1952, is held at Hampshire Record Office. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Document ref. 95M71/PP1, Hampshire Record Office.

1949 - ST. LUKE'S CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 13th of January, 1949. 'Our Sunday School (St. Luke's) held the children's Christmas party.' . ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - CAPTAIN WILLIE MITCHELL LEAVES PAMBER HEATH > Around this time Capt. Willie and Mrs Amy Mitchell left Pamber Heath at the closure of their ministry. The last listing in the British Telephone Directory was in 1949. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1949.

1949 - CAPTAIN ELMES STARTS MINISTRY AT ST. LUKE'S > 23rd of January, 1949. 'Captain and Mrs Elms came to start their ministry at St. Luke's Church.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - REV. WILLIAM FRANCIS GARROD WAS MADE VICAR (of Pamber - not curate of Pamber Heath) > 16th of February, 1949. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - OLD MRS DAVID LONG DIED > (Elizabeth Long) 26th of March, 1949. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - WEDDING RECEPTION IN PAMBER SCHOOLROOM > 16th of April, 1949. 'Mabel and Horace were married at Ramsdell Church (Emily Mabel Hayward married Horace W Bannister). Glorious day. We had the reception in Pamber School room and finished up at a dance at Kingsclere.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - MR TULL WAS BURIED AT MORTIMER OLD CHAPEL > (George Tull of Pamber Heath) 20th of April, 1949. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - YOUTH CLUB DANCE > 29th of April, 1949. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - PAMBER YOUTH CLUB FETE > 23rd of July, 1949. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - JOINT BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE HUT >  12th of August, 1949. 'We all went to a party at The Hut given by Mrs Stroud for Mrs Mitchell and Mrs Jaylus's birthdays. Very enjoyable.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - NISSEN HUT FOR YOUTH CLUB > 13th of October, 1949. 'Went to Oxford to view a Nissen Hut for our Youth Club.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - BAD BEHAVIOUR AT YOUTH CLUB > 17th of October, 1949. 'All went to Youth Club meeting and were disgusted with their bad behaviour.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1949 - RED HOUSE AND ESTATE TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION (LOT 1) > 'Lot One, The particularly well-placed freehold residence known as The Red House, facing and overlooking Tadley Common. The modern residence has a very pleasing elevation, being built of brick with tiled roof, the casement windows mostly with leaded lights. It was designed and built under the supervision of that well-known architect, the late Mr. Mervyn Macartney.' The sale includes stabling, garage, two cottages and pine woodlands, comprising in all, twelve and three-quarter acres. To be sold by auction in The Masonic Hall, Greyfriars Road, Reading on Thursday the 10th of November, 1949 (if not sold privately in the meanwhile) by the auctioneers Messrs. Nicholas, 1 Station Road, Reading. 'By order of the Trustees of the late Mrs Pauline Oppé.' ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents.

1949 - 'FIR TREE COTTAGE' TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION (LOT 2) > 'Lot Two, situate facing the entrance gate to Lot 1, the freehold detached country cottage known as Fir Tree Cottage. Built of brick with tiled roof and having hanging tiles in the front, it overlooks Tadley Common. The accommodation consists of sitting room, living room, 11ft. x 10ft., and lean-to scullery communicating with washhouse. Above are two communicating bedrooms. Water from well. Main electric light. "Elsan Closet". Good garden. This house is let to Mr. Martin, a tenant of 21 years standing, at a rental of £4 4s. 6d., per quarter, the tenant paying rates.' To be sold by auction in The Masonic Hall, Greyfriars Road, Reading on Thursday the 10th of November, 1949 (if not sold privately in the meanwhile) by the auctioneers Messrs. Nicholas, 1 Station Road, Reading. 'By order of the Trustees of the late Mrs Pauline Oppé.' ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents.

1949 - 'ARMISTICE COTTAGE' TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION (LOT 3) > 'Lot Three, situate in the road leading to the Pamber Heath Housing Estate (Burney Bit) and being Enclosure No. 62 on the 25in. Ordnance Survey (1911 Edition). The freehold, detached residence known as Armistice Cottage. Brick built with slate roof, it contains two front bedrooms, two back bedrooms, two front sitting rooms, scullery and larder. Main water, electric light and E.C. Good garden, in all about half-an acre. Let to Mr. Cox (Robert Cox, known as 'Bob Cox') at 7s. 5 and one half d. per week, plus rates. To be sold by auction in The Masonic Hall, Greyfriars Road, Reading on Thursday the 10th of November, 1949 (if not sold privately in the meanwhile) by the auctioneers Messrs. Nicholas, 1 Station Road, Reading. 'By order of the Trustees of the late Mrs Pauline Oppé.' ITEM 0311 SOURCE: Sale documents.

1950 - YOUTH CLUB OUTING > 2nd of January, 1950. 'Went with the Youth Club to London to see Cinderella on Ice. Very good show.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1950 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 'Lovely time.' 12th of January, 1950. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1950 - PAMBER HEATH SCOUT TROOP REGISTERED > The Pamber Scout Troop was registered in February, 1950 as the 21st Basingstoke (St. Luke's). Stanley M. Elmes of the Church Army was the group Scoutmaster and Cubmaster with William Potter as Scoutmaster. There were 14 Scouts and 6 Wolf Cubs. SOURCE: Scouting records, courtesy of Tadley History Society.

1950 - EASTER SUNDAY EGG SERVICE > '3 dozen eggs.' 9th of April, 1950. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1950 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY AND PRIZE GIVING > 18th of June, 1950. 'Had our first Sunday School anniversary and prize-giving and a party on Thursday.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1950 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO HAYLING ISLAND > 13th of July, 1950. 'A real lovely day. Thanks to God.'

1950 - SALE AT THE WHITE HOUSE > 8th of November, 1950. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 11th of January, 1951. 'Our first Sunday School party. 45 sat down to tea - 26 children, 18 adults. Plenty to eat and a Christmas tree with presents for children, Calendars adults.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - ARTHUR LONG PASSED AWAY > 7th of February, 1951. 'Arthur Long (Mabel's husband) passed away (Arthur Long of 'The Gables', Pamber Green).' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - NEWBURY CHOIR VISITS CHAPEL > 10th of April, 1951. 'The Newbury Choir came to Chapel and gave us a very good concert.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - SCOUTS AND GUIDES GIVE LAST CONCERT > 20th of April, 1951. 'The Scouts and Guides gave their first and last concert at Silchester. It was excellent, a pity they broke up their troop afterwards.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - EASTER EGG SERVICE AT SUNDAY SCHOOL > 22nd of April, 1951. 'Egg Service at Sunday School. 5 dozen eggs taken to the Children's Ward in Basingstoke Hospital.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN VISIT 'BAUGHURST ANNIVERSARY' > 6th of May, 1951. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - ARTHUR MARTIN LEAVES THE WHITE HOUSE > Around this time, Arthur Thomas Martin, who had lived at the White House for many years, left the area and the new occupier was to be Col. L. Graham. The last telephone listing for Arthur Martin was in 1951. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1951.

1951 - BECKENHAM SCOUTS CAMP IN PAMBER HEATH FOR WEEKEND > 12th of May, 1951. 'Jack brought his Scouts down for a Whitsun weekend camp in the field.' 14th of May, 1951. 'Whit Monday. The Scouts returned to Beckenham.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - MISS GRIMWADE ILL IN NURSING HOME > 28th of May, 1951. 'I went into the nursing home to see Miss Grimwade, who was ill.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - DORIS WEST LEAVES HER COTTAGE > 5th of June, 1951. 'Doris West left her cottage and it was for sale at £700.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - MR. BENYON OFFERS TO GIFT ST. LUKE'S CHURCH > In June, Mr. Benyon offered to gift the church of St. Luke's, Pamber Heath to Monk Sherborne Parish but they were unwilling to accept until certain problems were rectified. ITEM SOURCE: Tadley History Society.

1951 - GIRLS BRIGADE CAMP AT PAMBER HEATH > 11th of August, 1951. 'Mabel brought her Girls Brigade down to camp in the Memorial Hut. They had a happy week down here and we gave them a tea out in the grounds of the Hut on the Saturday that went back.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - BREWERS FINISH WITH THE YOUTH CLUB > 31st of August, 1951. 'Syd and I finished with the Youth Club.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - HANNINGTON BAND PLAY AT SUNDAY SCHOOL > 25th of November, 1951. 'Hannington Band came down to play to our Sunday School. We all enjoyed it very much.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1951 - PHYLLIS WARD WAS MARRIED AT SILCHESTER CHAPEL > (Phyllis Ward married Albert Molyneux) 22nd of December, 1951. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1952 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 11th of January, 1952. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1952 - LUCY BENHAM BID FAREWELL BY VILLAGERS > The sad news this year was to hear of the death of two village characters. Widow Lucy Benham died at the age of 79 and was soon to be followed by George Middleton, butcher, and, coincidentally, at the same age (see the item below). Lucy Benham, a grocer of Pamber Heath, had been the shopkeeper for many years at Benham's Post Office and Stores in Silchester Road, since the passing of her dear husband William in 1928. Lucy - maiden name Soper - was born in 1873 at Padworth, Berkshire, the daughter of blacksmith George Soper and his wife Catherine. Lucy married William Benham in 1895. She had four children, one of whom (Stanley) died sadly at the young age of 18 in 1923. Her first son Herbert Jack (known as Jack) was also to die before her in 1944 at the age of 43. She was a popular character in the village and many have fond memories of her. Lucy was buried on March 1st, 1952 at Silchester Parish Church. She left a daughter Kathleen and son Hector. ITEM 0319 SOURCE: Register of Burials, Silchester Parish Church, verbal testimonies and other documents.

1952 - FUNERAL OF LUCY BENHAM AT SILCHESTER > 'The funeral of Mrs. Lucy Benham...took place at Silchester Church on March 1. Rev. W. F. Garrod, vicar of Monk Sherborne, officiated and was assisted by Capt. Elmes (Church Army), a near neighbour of Mrs. Benham. Mrs. A. Kew was at the organ...The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. A. Naish, Pamber Heath. Mr. H. Benham and Mrs. Phillips wish to express their sincere thanks for letters of sympathy, also for the beautiful floral tributes received in their sad bereavement.' ITEM 0383 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 7th of March, 1952.

1952 - VILLAGE MOURNS GEORGE MIDDLETON, BUTCHER > George Middleton, who was 79 years old, also died this year. George Heber Middleton was born in 1873 at Wrexham, Denbigh, Wales, the son of Primitive Methodist minister Robert Middleton and his wife Harriett. He married Annie Goymer Neville at Samford, Suffolk in 1899 and by 1901 was a grocer and butcher in Stratfieldsaye, Hampshire. By 1909 he was a grocer and butcher, living at Silchester, Hampshire. It was to be a sad time for him there as in April, 1909 his wife died at the early age of 36, after complications following influenza. The event was even more untimely as Annie had only recently given birth to her third child in February, 1909. The couple had three children in all - Constance Violet, Muriel and Annie Georgina. George moved to Pamber Heath by 1916 and set up as a grocer and butcher from a shop adjoining his home at Pamber Heath Road. He became a Pamber parish councilor and a prominent and respected member of the local community. He was often seen in his 'Trojan' van, making local deliveries of meat to customers. He was buried at Silchester Parish Church (with his wife) on the 9th of April, 1952. ITEM 0319 SOURCE: Register of Burials, Silchester Parish Church, various verbal testimonies and other documents.

1952 - DEATH AND FUNERAL OF GEORGE MIDDLETON > 'It is regret that we record the death of Mr. George Heber Middleton, which took place at his home at Pamber Heath on April 4, at the age of 79 years. A native of Bradwell, Derbyshire, Mr. Middleton had resided in the district, some time at the Stores in the Reading Road, Silchester, before going to Pamber Heath. He took a keen interest in the life of the district and was a member of the Parish Council and Silchester Church Choir. He was closely connected with charitable organisations, and was for a time treasurer of the Memorial Hall Committee. Two daughters (Miss Muriel and Miss Nancy Middleton) survive to mourn his loss. The funeral took place at St. Mary's Church, Silchester on April 9. The service was conducted by the Rector (Rev. W. S. Evans), and Mrs. A. Kew was at the organ.' ITEM 0383 SOURCE: Hants & Berks Gazette, 18th of April, 1952.

1952 - JEAN BREWER WED TO GERALD COTTRELL > Jean Brewer, daughter of Sydney and Annie Brewer of Clappsgate Road married Gerald Cottrell between April and June of 1952. ITEM SOURCE: G.R.O. Index of marriages.

1952 - GUY HUNTER APPOINTED WARDEN OF GRANTLEY HALL > 'Mr Guy Hunter of Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, has been appointed warden of the West Riding County Councils' adult college at Grantley Hall, near Ripon. Mr. Hunter has been warden of Urchfont Manor, an adult college, run by Wiltshire County Council, for five years.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 24th of September, 1952.

1952 - JOHN OPPÉ - HISTORIC MARCONI ASSISTANT - DIES IN CANADA > Montreal, 3rd of November, 1952 - John D. Oppé, who was a pioneer assistant to Guglielmo Marconi and helped to build his wireless station at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, died at his home yesterday morning at the age of 76. Born in London, Mr. Oppé came to Canada to organize the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada. He was appointed a director of the company, which later was sold to United States interests and eventually developed into the Radio Corporation of America. John leaves his wife Sally and two sons. ITEM 0369 SOURCE: Montreal Gazette, 3rd of November, 1952. Note: John Oppé was a son of Pauline Oppé who lived at The Red House Pamber Heath between about 1898 until her death in 1940. Raymond West

1952 - CAPTAIN S. M. ELMES LEAVES PAMBER HEATH > Around this time, Captain S. M. (Stanley Martyn) Elmes of the Church Army finished his ministry at Pamber Heath at St. Luke's Church. His telephone number was last listed in 1952 and he was living at the Parsonage. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1952.

1953 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 8th of January, 1953. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1953 - DEATH OF COLONEL HENRY ERSKINE > 'On Feb. 9. 1953, Colonel Henry Adeane Erskine, C.B., C.M.G., V.D., of Sherwoods, West Green, Hartley Wintney, Hants., father of Margaret and Christian Erskine, and Griselda Archer, aged 96. Funeral service at St. John's Church, Hartley Wintney, 2.30 p.m., Feb, 12. Interment private. ITEM 0370 SOURCE: News cutting, London Gazette?, 10th of February, 1953. Note: This is the father of the two Erskine sisters (Margaret and Christian) who were to take up residence in the White House, Pamber Heath in 1953 - see the sale notice below.

1953 - OBJECTION TO RENAMING OF BACK LANE > Objection to renaming of Back Lane to Winston Avenue by Pamber Parish Council. Renaming actually took place in 1942 but signs only just being put up! June, 1953. ITEM 0168 SOURCE: Tadley Parish Council minutes, 1953.

1953 - PROPOSAL TO ACCEPT GIFT OF ST. LUKE'S IS DROPPED > The proposal to accept the gift of St. Luke's Church, Pamber Heath, from Mr. Benyon was unanimously dropped by Monk Sherborne PCC. ITEM SOURCE: Tadley History Society.

1953 - DEATH OF ALBERT FORD > Albert Ford of Sunnydene, Impstone Road, Pamber Heath, husband of Amelia Emily Ford, died on the 19th of December, 1953. He was born in Mortimer West End Hampshire about 1875, the son of William Ford, a woodman and Ann Ford. He married Katharine Day in 1898 and there was only one child from the marriage - Reginald Albert. Albert was initially working as a sawyer in the wood industry but by 1911 was a cab proprietor at 'Coombelands' in Pamber Road, Silchester. It is believed that he expanded his taxi service to include coach hire and his son Reginald was a driver. I am told that when he retired around 1937 he had a house built next to his son Reginald in Impstone Road and named it 'Sunnydene'. Katharine died in 1946 and in 1947 he married Amelia Emily Thatcher. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1953 - SALE OF THE WHITE HOUSE, PAMBER HEATH > The White House, located in White House Road (Impstone Road) is to be sold. The sale particulars include photographs of the entrance, garden fronts and lounge. The gardener was stated as Mr. (Charles) Stroud of Rose Cottage, Pamber Heath and that the sale was at the direction of Colonel R. A. Graham and to take place at a hotel in Reading. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Document ref. 98A02/8, Hampshire Record Office.

1953 - WHITE HOUSE SOLD TO MARGARET AND CHRISTIAN ERSKINE > Following on from the above, Miss Margaret Erskine and her sister Miss Christian Esrkine purchased the White House, in White House Road (now Impstone Road). A telephone listing was first published in 1954. ITEM 0387 British Telephone Directory, 1954 and other documents.

1954 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 9th of January, 1954. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1954 - BIG FREEZE IN PAMBER HEATH > 28th of January, 1954. 'The big freeze-up. Too bad to go out. Coldest day for 60 years.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1954 - DEEP SNOW AND BLIZZARD IN PAMBER HEATH > 1st of March, 1954. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1954 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 24th of June, 1954. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1954 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO LITTLEHAMPTON > 29th of July, 1954. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 8th of January, 1955. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - NAMING/NUMBERING OF ROADS IN PAMBER HEATH > On the 19th of April, 1955, the Head Postmaster requested the Pamber Parish Council consider suitable names for the roads in Pamber Heath. Correspondence concerning house numbers and street names was made with reference to the numbering of houses in the northern part of the parish, and the naming of Imp Stone Road/White House Road and Church Road/Valley Lane/The Glen. The Basingstoke Rural District Council was involved. Numbering was in response to the difficulty that the postal authorities had in trying to deliver mail in a village where many of the addresses given stated a house name only and some homes had no name at all. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Correspondence documents, 1955-1959, ref. 15M70/PY4, Hampshire Record Office.

1955 - PREPARATION OF A CRICKET FIELD AT PAMBER HEATH > I was told that an area of land opposite the Pelican Inn, Pamber Heath, belonging to Harry Cottrell (landlord of the Pelican Inn) and Tom Stacey, was cleared and a wicket prepared by using turf from the meadow adjacent to the Pelican public house. The new cricket field was suggested by Harry Cottrell. A pavilion was obtained from a place on the A340 road between Tadley and Basingstoke, and thought to have been an ex-army hut that was used as part of a gun placement. ITEM SOURCE: Verbal testimony from Dave Englefield (Harry Cottrell's son-in-law).

1955 - FIRST CRICKET MATCH ON PELICAN FIELD > 21st of May, 1955. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY > 12th of June, 1955. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - SUNDAY SCHOOL TEA PARTY > '40 children.' 23rd of June, 1955. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - PAMBER FETE > 25th of June, 1955. 'Lovely day. We all enjoyed it. David won first prize. Geoffrey & Jeremy 2nd and 3rd prize.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - BODY OF JAMES STROUD FOUND ON A BEACH AT ST. MALO IN FRANCE > 'The body of a man was found at St, Malo yesterday and from inquiries instituted through the Bailiff it has been identified as being that of Mr. James Leonard Stroud, who has been missing from his lodgings at 22 Sand Street, St. Helier, since Thursday 23rd June. Mr. Stroud, a native of Pamber Heath, near Basingstoke, Hants, was 77 years of age and his body, which was taken from the water, was identified by means of a pension book found in a pocket of the clothing. During the past few months he had been reported as missing from the same address on several occasions but previous to Thursday last he had returned within 24 hours of such incidents being reported in "The Evening Post." Further information is awaited.' ITEM 0385 SOURCE: The Evening Post (Jersey, Channel Islands), 1st of July, 1955.

1955 - OBITUARY OF JAMES LEONARD STROUD > James Leonard Stroud was born in Pamber Heath, a son of William Stroud, grocer. He spent many years farming in Canada, returning home for lengthy periods of time in between. He is said to have married while there. He had gone to Jersey about 1939 to work as a potato farmer, according to his family, and was there during the German occupation of the Second World War. At the time he stated he was a widower. He was not known to have any connection with France and the most probable senario is that he entered the water at Jersey, for whatever reason, was drowned and his body was taken by the currents and washed up on the beach at St. Malo in France. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1955 - PAMBER HEATH SCOUT DEN ERECTED IN PELICAN ROAD > I am told that around this time a Nissen hut was erected in Pelican Road on a plot of land, donated by benefactor Lionel Wakeford of Pamber Heath. Planning permission had been granted in 1954. The previous den was at the Memorial Hall in Pamber Heath Road. SOURCE: Verbal testimony from Shirley Christmas, former Cub Scouts leader.

1955 - SALE OF WORK AND CONCERT > 29th of October, 1955. 'Held the Sale of Work and Concert in the evening and raised £96 for Chapel decoration fund.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1955 - WHITE HOUSE ROAD TO BE RENAMED IMPSTONE ROAD > At a Pamber Parish Council meeting, it was decided to adopt the name 'Impstone Road' for the road in Pamber Heath previously known as 'White House Road'. Impstone Road takes its name from the 'Impstone', a supposed Roman milestone, located at the junction of Silchester Road. However, other parties were yet to be consulted to see if the name of 'Impstone Road' was acceptable. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book, 1955.

1955 - VALLEY LANE REJECTED AS NAME OF LANE IN PAMBER HEATH > At a Pamber Parish Council meeting, it was decided not to adopt the name 'Valley Lane' for the historic lane that runs through the eastern centre of Pamber Heath. Kingsclere and Whitchurch Rural District Council preferred 'The Glen'. However, other parties were yet to be consulted to see if the name of 'The Glen' was acceptable. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book, 1955.

1956 - ROBERT BROWN BECOMES VILLAGE POSTMAN > Robert Brown of Basingstoke became the village postman for Pamber Heath. SOURCE: Robert Brown.

1956 - OLD FIRE HOSES TO BE USED AS FIRE BEATERS > At a meeting of the Pamber Parish Council on the 13th of March, 1956, it was announced that a quantity of old fire hoses had been received for use as fire beaters in the event of common fires. Major Vernon Knollys, a Pamber Parish councilor, said that a suitable place of storage was needed and said that he would try and find somewhere. ITEM SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book, 1956, Hampshire Record Office, .

1956 - WHITE HOUSE ROAD RENAMED AS IMPSTONE ROAD > Correspondence between various interested parties, such as Pamber Parish Council and the Basingstoke Rural District Council led to the decision on the 16th of March, 1956 to officially rename the road currently known as White House Road to 'Impstone Road'. ITEM SOURCE: Correspondence, March, 1956 lodged with Hampshire Record Office.

1956 - SPORTS AT BAUGHURST > 30th of June, 1956. 'Held our Sports at Baughurst this year at Mr Appleton's Farm. We all enjoyed it.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1956 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO SANDBANKS > 16th of August, 1956. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1956 - THE GLEN AS A ROAD NAME IS ACCEPTABLE SAYS RDC > Mrs Cassie Waterman, Pamber Parish councilor wrote a letter to the Basingstoke Rural District Council concerning the naming of an old lane in Pamber Heath. There had been various suggestions for the name of the road but Cassie Waterman felt that the name should be 'The Glen' as locals had used that name for years and it was pointed out that the name existed on an old Ordnance Survey map. The Rural District Council in a reply dated the 25th of November, 1956, said that they had no objections and therefore were happy for the road to be named 'The Glen' officially. ITEM SOURCE: Correspondence, November, 1956 lodged with Hampshire Record Office.

1956 - GRAVEL SECTION OF BURNEY BIT SURFACED WITH TARMAC > The section of Burney Bit between its junction at Pamber Heath Road and the Council House estate at the far end was resurfaced during this year with tarmac and the local home owners were each asked to make a contribution towards the cost. Ken Lane of 19 Burney Bit said that his contribution was £75. I was also told that parts of some front gardens were lost as the road needed to be widened in places. ITEM SOURCE: Ken Lane.

1956 - RED HOUSE RECEIVES PERMISSION FOR CONVERSION > Permission granted for conversion of the Red House into four self-contained dwelling units. Owner was G. West & Co. Ltd., 1 Junction Road, Hornchurch, Essex. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 184, 27th of December, 1956.

1957 - SYDNEY BREWER STARTED TAKING THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AGAIN > 3rd of April, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - MR REG. FORD PASSED AWAY > 16th of June, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - DEATH OF REGINALD ALBERT FORD > Reginald Albert Ford of 'Coombelands', Pamber Road, Silchester, husband of Dorothy Eileen Ford, passed away on the 15th of June, 1957. He was born in Mortimer West End, Hampshire about 1902, the son of Albert Ford, a sawyer, and Katherine Ford, a governess. He married Dorothy Eileen Tremlett in 1930 and in 1931 was a motor transport driver. The couple lived at 'Heath Cottage' in Impstone Road for some time and his father Albert had a house built next door in the 1930s. Reginald would take villagers on outings to places such as Southsea in his motor coach. There was only one child born to Reginald and Dorothy - Beryl Eileen in 1931. ITEM SOURCE: Miscellaneous documents.

1957 - DEMOLITION OF THE 'RED HOUSE', > (Date to be confirmed), Church Road. ITEM 0052 SOURCE: Photograph with recorded date 1956-1960.

1957 - SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING TO SANDBANKS > 29th of August, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - SYDNEY (BREWER) STARTED CLEARING UP HIS BUSINESS > (Closure of Cycle Shop in Clapps Gate Road) 5th of September, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - BAZAAR AT CHAPEL > 7th of December, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - POLICE HOUSE RECEIVES PLANNING GO-AHEAD > Permission was granted to the Clerk of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police Authority to build a Police House on land at Burney Bit previously used as 'rough pasture'. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 2134, 18th of December, 1957.

1957 - NATIVITY PLAY AT THE CHAPEL > 22nd of December, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - PARTY AT THE SCHOOLROOM > 31st of December, 1957. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1957 - BUILDING OF HEATH ROAD > Building of the houses on the Red House Estate was underway during this year by the owners and developers G. West & Co. Ltd. of 1 Junction Road, Romford, Essex. A site office was set up and connected with a telephone line. ITEM 0064 SOURCE: Photograph with recorded date 1956-1960 and ITEM 0387 British Telephone Directory, 1957.

1958 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 11th of January, 1958. 'We all went and thought it was the nicest party ever.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1958 - 'GRANNY CRIPPS' PASSED AWAY > (Annie Maria Cripps) 11th of January, 1958. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1958 - PAMBER HEATH SCOUTS BECOME AN 'OPEN' GROUP > In 1958, the Pamber Heath Scouts became an 'Open' group with a change of title to 21st Basingstoke (Pamber Heath). SOURCE: Scouting records as reproduced in 'Around Tadley, fact and fable', 1999.

1958 - GIDEON WEST IN TADLEY BAND SUCCESS IN LONDON > Annual area brass band championship in London on Saturday: 'Tadley Silver Band, conducted by Mr. Gideon West, a forester, of Burney Bit, Pamber Heath, who has 38 years' service with the band, won the fourth division contest with 186 points. Tadley received the area challenge tribute and £15.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 15th of March, 1958.

1958 - HARRY BAILEY ANNOUNCES THE CLOSURE OF HIS CARRIER BUSINESS > Advertisement: 'H. Bailey, removal contractor, Pamber Heath, Hants, would like to thank all clients for their loyal support for the past 30 years. From May 30th, 1958, my General Carrier's business between Reading-Basingstoke and district was discontinued but I am continuing in business as Furniture Remover.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 7th of June, 1958.

1958 - LITTLE BO PEEP AND LAMB CAUSE INTEREST AT FANCY DRESS > Six year-old Elizabeth Stanley of Pamber Heath stole the show at Tadley Common Methodists' garden party at Heath End Village Hall, Tadley. She entered the fancy dress competition as Little Bo Peep but she brought along her pet lamb, 'Tuppence', which caused much interest and amusement. Needless to say, she won first prize in the Under 8 class. ITEM 0312 SOURCE: Basingstoke Gazette, about the 21st of June, 1958.

1958 - CRICKET FETE AT PAMBER > 21st of June, 1958. 'Quite enjoyed it.' ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1958 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > 3rd of July, 1958. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1958 - DENNIS HOLLOWAY INVOLVED IN COACH COLLISION IN READING > 'A woman driving a saloon car at Cemetery Junction, Reading yesterday (Friday) had a most alarming experience; first her car was involved in a collision with the rear of a car driven by her husband when it shot across the roadway on to the grass of the roundabout island and there was a second collision - with a passing motor coach...The coach returning from London empty, was driven by Mr. Dennis Holloway, of 17 The Glen, Pamber Heath, and it belongs to Pangbourne Motors, Ltd.' Nobody was hurt but the car driver and passenger suffered shock. ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 16th of August, 1958.

1958 - NAMING OF ROADS ON THE 'RED HOUSE ESTATE' > Correspondence by Pamber Parish Council with G West & Co. (builders and developers), the Hon David Rhys and Basingstoke Rural District Council was made, concerning the naming of roads and numbering of houses on the Red House estate, Pamber Heath (Heath Road/Roman Way, Westlyn Close and Eastlyn Close/Roman Close), and the numbering of Impstone Road, 1958-9. On the 17th of October, 1958, G. West & Co. sent out letters to all occupiers finalising the names on the Red House Estate. ITEM 0326 SOURCE: Correspondence documents, 1955-1959, ref. 15M70/PY4, Hampshire Record Office.

1958 - JAMES TRIMBLE FINED FOR CARELESS DRIVING > 'James Arthur Trimble, of Red House Estate, Pamber Heath, was fined £5, after he admitted driving carelessly in Castle Hill, Reading on October 11th. Supt. Ernest Denton said that the vehicle driven by Trimble was in collision with another car driven by a Mr. Rosier. Traffic was very heavy in Castle Hill as motorists were leaving Elm Park following a first team match.' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 29th of November, 1958.

1958 - RED HOUSE LIGHTING COST FEARS DISPELLED > 'Mr. J. E. Ellingsen, chairman of the Red House (Pamber Heath) Residents' Association, writes: "A certain amount of publicity had been given in the past few months to the subject of lighting on the Red House Estate, Pamber Heath. There are strong convictions...that...costs of this lighting will involve a general increase in the rates of the parish...this is not so. The cost of installation has already been taken care of and the cost of maintenance will fall upon the residents of the Red House Estate only." ' ITEM 0380 SOURCE: Reading Mercury, 20th of December, 1958.

1959 - SOCIAL AT THE CHAPEL & WATCH NIGHT SERVICE > 31st of December, 1959. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1959 - BENHAM'S SHOP ACQUIRED BY BASINGSTOKE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY > Around this time, Hector Benham left the Pamber Heath Post Office and Stores and it was acquired by the Basingstoke Co-operative Society. The last publication of a telephone number for Hector Benham there was in 1959. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1959.

1960 - BASINGSTOKE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY SHOP ENLARGED > Around this time and following planning permission, the Basingstoke Co-operative Society Post Office and stores in Silchester Road was altered extensively. The former living accommodation on the ground floor was converted into increased shop space, the front entrance now being used as the main entrance (previously the shop entrance was on the right-hand side). Two large windows were installed at the front and one at the left-hand side. ITEM SOURCE: Photograph.

1960 - FORMATION OF PLAYING FIELD AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION > Around this time, the Pamber Heath Playing Field and Sports Association was formed to oversee and establish facilities at Pamber Heath. A constitution was written. The development of land, described as a disused gravel pit adjoining the Pamber Heath Memorial Hall, was considered as a playing field. ITEM 0386 SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council Correspondence 1960-1965, Hampshire Record Office, Ref. 15MY70/PY11.

1960 - ROBERT BROWN FINISHED AS VILLAGE POSTMAN > Robert Brown of Basingstoke finished as the village postman for Pamber Heath. He had been postman in the village since 1956. He was a keen photographer and while in the village took many photographs, recording how things looked at the time. The photographs are reproduced in my book 'Pamber Heath History'. SOURCE: Robert Brown.

1960 - PARTY FOR OVER 60s > 14th of January, 1960. 'Jolly time.' . ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1960 - SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY - GAMES AND FILMS > 30th of January, 1960. ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1960 - FORDS GARAGE TO HAVE THREE PETROL PUMPS > Permission was granted for prospective purchaser, Robert Griffin, for three petrol pumps on an island and siting of existing pump at the garage in Pamber Road. Mrs D. E. (Dorothy Eileen) Ford was the current owner. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 2910, 11th of April, 1960.

1960 - MR WEST LEAVES HIS HOME (IN CLAPPS GATE ROAD) > 'Mr West was ill in hospital and when he came out he went to live with his son, Syd, and the house was sold to Mr Merrick.' Date unclear, July mentioned but listed under the 20th of October, 1960 - was the final entry in her diary. (Believed to relate to Arthur West who lived in Clapps Gate Road). ITEM 0307 SOURCE: Annie Brewer's diary.

1961 - PELICAN ROAD DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY > Around this time, following a successful planning application, the area north of the Silchester Road, formerly part of the Aldermaston Estate, was developed for residential use. A road was built and named Pelican Road. the housing being mostly bungalows. The area, although regarded as Pamber Heath, was officially in Berkshire. ITEM SOURCE:

1961 - STROUD'S SHOP TO BE ENLARGED > Planning permission was granted to B.H.W. Stroud, to enlarge/alter his shop in Pamber Heath Road. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 3469, 13th of June, 1961.

1961 - NELLIE JAMES SELLS HER SHOP TO THE MULLENS > Around this time, Nellie James, who had been a shopkeeper at 'Oakdene' in Pamber Heath Road since the 1930s, sold her bungalow and shop to Mr. and Mrs. Mullen, who was said to also have a shop at Baughurst. The last telephone directory publication listing Nellie James at Oakdene, was in 1961. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: John James, son of Nellie James and British Telephone Directory, 1961.

1961 - DEATH OF MISS KATHARINE LOUISA GRIMWADE AT FARNHAM HOSPITAL > A popular and much-loved village character died this year on the 10th of November, 1961 at Wimble Hill Hospital, Farnham, Surrey, aged 86. She had been living at 'Sunnyside', Pamber Heath - the home of the late Daniel Monger and Rose Monger in Burney Bit. She was a native of Suffolk, born at Hadleigh, and was possibly a friend or relation of Mrs. Anne Newman who had come to Pamber Heath from Hadleigh, Suffolk around 1915. She was living at 'Forest View', Pamber Heath at one time. Katharine was a helper at St. Luke's Church, an agent for the Mortimer West and Pamber Heath Nursing Association and much involved in service to the community in one way or another. She left effects of £255 7s 1d and probate was granted to Isabel Martin, married woman. ITEM SOURCE: Probate Registry Index, 1961, other official records and personal testimonies.

1962 - ST. LUKE'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PARTY > January 13th, 1962. Held in the Old Memorial Hall. ITEM 0011 SOURCE: Photograph with inscription on the reverse.

1962 - SHIRLEY CHRISTMAS BECOMES CUB MISTRESS > Shirley Christmas of Pamber Heath Road became Cub Mistress in charge of the Cub Scouts at Pamber Heath. SOURCE: Shirley Christmas.

1962 - DEMOLITION OF 'GRAVEL PIT COTTAGE' > Demolition of 'Gravel Pit Cottage' in Pamber Heath Road at the site of the Memorial Hall, took place this year. The former occupiers included Mr and Mrs Cripps. The cottage had a thatched roof. The area was leveled and grassed as a playing field. The work was part of the development of the site as a playing field by the Pamber Heath Playing Field and Sports Association. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book, 1962.

1962 - HARRY BAILEY CLOSES HIS REMOVAL BUSINESS > Around this time, Harry Bailey, who had operated a removal business from his home at Shirley Cottage, 24 Pamber Heath Road, closed the business. The last listing in the British Telephone Directory for his removal business was in 1962. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1962.

1963 - WINDING UP OF PLAYING FIELD AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION > Around this time, the Pamber Heath Playing Field and Sports Association was wound up following completion of the work to demolish 'Gravel Pit Cottage' and establish a playing field at the site of the Pamber Heath Memorial Hall in Pamber Heath Road. ITEM 0386 SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council Correspondence 1960-1965, Hampshire Record Office, Ref. 15MY70/PY11.

1963 - MULLEN'S PREMISES RECEIVES PERMISSION FOR HAIR SALON > Permission was granted to convert a rear bedroom into a hairdressing salon at Mrs. Mullen's premises/shop in Pamber Heath Road. The applicant was Mrs. G. Mullen. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 5484, 4th of December, 1963.

1964 - CRICKET PAVILION PERMISSION AT MEMORIAL HALL SITE > Permission was granted to site a cricket pavilion in the grounds of the Memorial Hall in Pamber Heath Road. I was told that this idea was later dropped as the field proved to be too small for a cricket pitch. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 4755, 6th of July, 1964 .

1964 - LIONEL WAKEFORD GIVEN A 'THANK YOU BADGE' FOR SCOUTING HELP > Lionel Wakeford of Pamber Heath was presented with a 'Thank You Badge' by scoutmaster Mr. Pottinger, on behalf of the Scouts and Cubs of Pamber Heath in recognition of his 14 years of service to the Pamber Heath Scout Group since 1950 when the group was established. SOURCE: Newspaper cutting from Shirley Christmas.

1964 - PAMBER HEATH SCOUTS ACHIEVE HIGHEST AWARD > Rover Scouts, Chris Waterman and John Naish of the Pamber Heath Scout Group, were presented with scouting's highest award - The Duke of Edinburgh Golden Award - at Buckingham Palace, London. SOURCE: Shirley Christmas, news cuttings etc.

1964 - CHARLES BYART ELECTED PARISH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN > Charles Byart of The Glen, Pamber Heath, was elected as the chairman of Pamber Parish Council at a meeting of the council. SOURCE: Pamber Parish Council minute book, 1964.

1965 - NEW PAMBER HEATH SCOUT DEN PROPOSED > A new Scout den for the Pamber Heath Scout Group was proposed in May, 1965, to be funded by fundraising as well as grant-aid. The new building would replace the existing Nissen hut on the site at Pelican Road. SOURCE: Shirley Christmas, news cuttings etc.

1965 - CONVEYANCE OF BUILDING LAND IN BURNEY BIT > A conveyance of building land for an extension to Burney Bit, was made between Vice Admiral Richard Benyon and others to the Basingstoke Rural District Council. ITEM SOURCE: Conveyance documents of a house in Burney Bit in 1986, referring to a former conveyance made on the 12th of October, 1965.

1966 - PAMBER HEATH SCOUTS CHANGE NAME > In 1966, following a re-organisation of districts, the Pamber Heath Scouts joined the newly-formed Silchester Scout District along with other Scout Groups in the local area. The District Commissioner was former Pamber Heath Scoutmaster Alan Stables. The group was now to be known as the Pamber Heath Scout Group. George M. Gilby was the Scoutmaster at this time. The group's registration title became the 1st Pamber. SOURCE: Scouting records, as reproduced in 'Around Tadley, fact and fable', 1999.

1967 - FORGE SOLD TO DES HELYAR > The Forge, situated on the Tadley side of Pamber Heath Road, was sold by Stan James to Des Helyar during this year, following Stan's retirement. The Forge had been in existence since sometime between 1872 and 1891, when it was established as the premises of the village blacksmith. John James is believed to have been the first blacksmith there. John was the father of the well-known villager character Stan James, who operated a cycle shop there as well as other businesses such as a taxi service. Des Helyar was to use the site for a motor cycle and car repair business, which would become known as The Forge Garage. SOURCE: Census records, verbal testimonies and other documents.

1967 - DEATH OF 'SAILOR WELLS' (JOSEPH WELLS) AT TADLEY > Joseph Wells, a former long-term resident of Pamber Heath and known by locals as 'Sailor Wells', died at West Street, Tadley on the 31st of March, 1967 at the grand old age of 99. He was born in Wadhurst, Sussex on the 3rd of April, 1867, the son of William and Hannah Wells. As a young boy he worked as an agricultural labourer but soon joined the navy. He married Elizabeth Saunders at Tadley Parish Church on the 23rd of May, 1887. They were living at Tadley Hill in 1891 but had moved to Pamber Heath by 1901. In 1901 he was a chief stoker on the ship Peterel, docked at Birkenhead. He served on various ships and one notable one was 'The Boxer', which in the First World War was sunk after being rammed by a German submarine off the Isle-of Wight. Joseph was a popular village character, a member of the local Brethren fellowship and lived at 'Shirley Cottage' in Pamber Heath Road. Sadly, his wife Elizabeth died in 1925, aged 65. He then married Ann Stacey in 1926 and the couple lived at Tadley, Hampshire, leaving his daughter Evelyn at 'Shirley Cottage'. Joseph was buried at the United Reformed Church (Tadley Old Meeting) burial ground about the 3rd of April, 1967. ITEM SOURCE: Verbal testimony from daughter Elizabeth and various documents.

1967 - PAMBER HEATH VILLAGE PLAN > A village plan outlining parcels of land suitable for housing development and other items of interest to Pamber Heath people, such as the provision of a footpath between Burney Bit and Church Road, was adopted in July, 1967. ITEM 0017 SOURCE: Pamber Heath Village Plan, 1967.

1968 - MR. N. ROMANENKO TAKES OVER OAKDENE STORES > Around this time it is thought that Mr. Nicholas Romanenko took over Oakdene Stores at 2 Pamber Heath Road. The first listing of the telephone number in that name was in 1968. Mrs. G. Mullen is believed to have been the former owner. ITEM 0387 SOURCE: British Telephone Directory, 1968.

1968 - HOUSING DEVELOPMENT GIVEN CONSENT (ROMAN'S GATE) > A planning application in October, 1968 resulted in permission being refused initially, for a housing development at a density of 10 dwellings per acre but a later application for 8 per acre was given consent on the 29th of September, 1969. The project was for 30 detached houses and garages on land owned by Mr Arnold and Mrs D. Hands, in what is now the Roman's Gate area off Impstone Road. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 6389, 3rd of February, 1969 and BRD 6389/3, 29th of September, 1969.

1969 - FURTHER EXTENSION OF BURNEY BIT FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT > A new housing development was underway this year following the production of the Pamber Heath Village Plan, which was adopted in 1967 and identified suitable areas for development. The Burney Bit at this time ended at number 33. The area to be developed was formerly a field. Three-bed roomed houses were planned as well as one and two-bed roomed bungalows. The houses would have much the same appearance externally but would differ in layout internally. I have no information regarding the layout of the bungalows and whether they would differ. Garage blocks would also be built. ITEM 0017 SOURCE: Pamber Heath Village Plan, 1967, as well as verbal testimonies.

1969 - WHITE HOUSE ESTATE TO BE DEVELOPED (IMPSTONE ROAD) > Planning permission was refused initially for an application for a housing development at a density of 10 dwellings per acre but a later application for 8 per acre was given outline consent on the 11th of April, 1969. The plans involved demolition of the White House. Owners stated as Miss Margaret Helen Erskine and Miss Christian Mary Erskine. ITEM 0310 SOURCE: Basingstoke Planning Office documents, ref. BRD 6375, 3rd of February, 1969 and BRD 6375/1, 11th of April, 1969.

1969 - NEW SCOUT DEN OFFICIALLY OPENED IN PELICAN ROAD > Lionel Wakeford of Pamber Heath officially opened the new Scout den at Pelican Road in May, 1969 for use by the Pamber Heath Scout Group. Mr Fenton was the main driving force behind the project, devoting his time and energy, as well as building materials. The new den was built of brick and tiles and previously an old Nissen hut had been in use on the plot of land in Pelican Road. SOURCE: Shirley Christmas, news cuttings, photographs etc.

1969 - MAN'S HEAD SPLIT WITH STARTING HANDLE AT PELICAN INN RIOT > More to follow. ITEM 0381 SOURCE: Evening Post, 10th of December, 1969.

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