| School
Memories |
 |
A series of articles prepared from the
Royal Windsor Website Forum posts featuring memories of our readers'
days at Windsor schools. These have been edited together to provide
a fascinating insight into life at the school from as early as
the 1930s.
School Memories
|
| A
Coach Trip from London to Windsor in 1874 |
|
A
colourful description of a horse-drawn coach journey from London
to Windsor in the spring of 1874. |
| The
Blythes of Windsor in Victorian Times |
|
A
descendant of the family who lived in Thames Street, in the houses
demolished in the 1850s, recounts some family history |
| A
History of Windsor's Water Supply |
|
An article
by Gordon Cullingham, the last Borough Engineer of Windsor. |
| Peascod
Street and its Courts and Alleys in the Victorian Censuses |
 |
A comprehensive list of residents in Peascod
Street as researched by Jane Lindsay from the 1851 - 1901 Censuses.
The Royal Windsor Forum Index to the Peascod Street Census Research Results
|
Bier
Lane Occupations in
Victorian Times |
 |
Occupations in Victorian times in the slum
area known as Bier Lane and subsequently demolished to make way
for River Street Car Park. Jane Lindsay's detailed research of
the censuses from
1851-1901.
See also
The Royal Windsor Forum thread
about River Street, Bier Lane and nearby
|
| Windsor
'Salute The Soldier' May 1944 |
 |
During WWII many events took place around
the country to raise money for the 'war effort'. Windsor was
no exception. In 1944 the borough organised 'Salute The Soldier
Week'.
Windsor 'Salute The Soldier' May 1944
|
|
The
Labour Party Publications of
1945 and 1946
'Your Windsor' 1945
and
Your Windsor Takes Shape 1946
|
 |
It is 1945, just after the end of the war, The
Labour Party have defeated Churchill in the national elections,
and the local Windsor Labour Party have their eyes set on winning
the local elections too! What plans do they have for the town?
With the benefit of hindsight what came true and what are we
still waiting for?
See 'Your
Windsor' 1945 and 'Your
Windsor Takes Shape' 1946 |
| Clewer
War Dead |
 |
A listing of Clewer's War Dead from both World
Wars. An ongoing project for which contributions, corrections
and updates are always welcome. |
Wartime Windsor
ARP Activity |
 |
Contemporary
notes of incidents as the ARP rescue parties were sent out
to see what they could do. |
| A History
of Windsor Pubs |
|
This history is a major task for Windsor once had
more pubs than any other town in the UK. We are grateful to the
author for making available the results of his very hard work.
There remains many pictures to add, and no doubt much additional
material, but here is a great start with, as far as we can tell,
every pub and its location noted. A
History of Windsor Pubs |
| Samuel
Wilkinson's Diary - Coronation Day 1902 |
|
A delightful description by local
resident Samuel Wilkinson of the festivities in Windsor as the
Coronation of Edward VII took place in London. Article here |
| The Brown
Bus Service |
 |
The Brown Bus Service was operated
by A. Moore Ltd and was also known as the Imperial Bus Service
in the 1950s and 1960s. Pictures here |
| 1911 - The First Aircraft to Land
at Windsor Castle. Picture and story here |
|
On February 1st 1911, Tommy Sopwith landed the
first aircraft ever to fly over Windsor Castle on the lawns by
the East Terrace. He was welcomed by King George V. Picture and story here |
| Windsor in the
Last Century by A T Barber |
|
A transcription of a small book published in 1897
with stories of Windsor from a century before. Barber's
Windsor Stories |
The
War Memorial Swimming Baths
The Opening in 1963 |
 |
For many years Alderman Francis Burton had campaigned
for a swimming pool in Windsor as the river was considered a
health hazard. He eventually laid the Foundation Stone of the
War Memorial Baths when Mayor in 1962 and was present at the
opening ceremony in 1963. Pictures
of the Opening Ceremony and background |
| A
Youngster's Tales of the Thames |
|
Chris Evans remembers his days working on the excursion
boats from Windsor promenade in the early 1960s including The
'Empress of India' and 'Windsor Castle'. Chris
Evans Story |
| Windsorian
Coaches |
 |
School day memories of days out, school trips and
holidays on these old Windsorian
Coaches. |
| The Opening of The Royal Albert
Institute, 1880. Story
and pictures |
 |
Now lost to Windsor, The Royal Albert Institute
was built in memory of the late Prince Consort, Prince Albert,
and opened in January 1880.
Story
and pictures
|
| Windsor was once an
'Underground' station!!! |
 |
Windsor was once an 'Underground' station
on the line from Ealing Broadway via Slough
Story
|
| Trinity
Church - The Laying of the Foundation Stone |
 |
A contemporary report of the laying of
the foundation stone for Trinity Church by Prince Albert. April
4th 1842.
Foundation
Stone
|
| Ships named Windsor
Castle |
 |
A ongoing series featuring ships
named Windsor Castle. Including HMS Windsor Castle (1852) which
when launched was the largest ship afloat. She was renamed HMS
Duke of Wellington in his honour upon his death. Also, RMS Windsor
Castle (1922 Union Castle Line) and the wrecking of The Windsor
Castle paddle steamer in 1844. Ships named Windsor Castle |
| Great Western
Railway's Plans for a Windsor to Ascot extension 1872 |
 |
The area to the west of Windsor could have
looked very different if GWR plans to link Windsor and Ascot
by rail had gone ahead. In this story we feature GWR's map of
the land purchased for the line's construction.
Windsor
to Ascot railway
|
| The Two Railways
of Windsor |
 |
A preliminary article featuring both old and new
illustrations and photographs of Windsor's
two railways. A fuller history of the two lines will be featured
here when researched. |
| Windsor Views
from Carry on Cabby 1963 |
 |
Continuing the theme of 'Windsor in Old
Films' here is another selection. These images come from Carry
on Cabby filmed in 1963. Location
pictures
The first in the series, 'On the Beat'
is here
|
| The Oldest Photograph
of Windsor? |
 |
There is no doubt that
this is an old photo as it features the earlier roofline of the
Curfew Tower.
Pictures and
quotes
|
| Gustav
Hamel Loops the Loop |
 |
At George V's request, Gustav Hamel
visited Windsor and 'looped the loop' fourteen times for the
king. Pictures
and quotes |
| Charles Street, market
place, car park and now busy road |
 |
Charles Street, market place, car park and now
busy road. Ashley Booth has kindly provided pictures of Charles
Street under construction. We would like to hear from anyone
who has the precise date of this redevelopment.
In May 2007, we have added a photograph
of the market 'in action' from 1973. Charles
Street |
| Gazeteer Entry for
Windsor in 1791 |
|
The General Gazeteer
or 'Compendious Geographical Dictionary in the Known World'.
Windsor's entry from 1791. |
| Roman
Remains found in Old Windsor, 1865 |
|
A report from the Illustrated London News dated
January 6th 1866 following the discovery of two small tombs.
Story and Picture |
| 1.
St. Stephens Primary School Vansittart Road -
Rosie's article |
2.
St. Stephens Primary School Vansittart
Road - Carole's article |
This feature now comprises two
articles. The first was provided by Rosie Burnett, nee Kyte,
who now lives in Australia. Rosie left Windsor in 1973. The second
was provided by Carole Freeman, nee Miles, who now lives in Canada.
(Also featured in Reminiscences
of Windsor People section) |
Windsor Safari
Park
+ link to a third party website |
|
An introduction to a website about Windsor Safari
Park with notes about its owners, Billy Smart's Circus. (Not
administered by Thamesweb) |
| The Curfew Tower
Belfry |
 |
In 1863 the old belfry on top of the Curfew Tower
was covered by the roof line we know today. Featuring three very
early, exceedingly rare, photographs of the earlier belfry as
well as Victorian images of 'work in progress'. Story
and pictures of Curfew Tower. |
| Annual Report, Windsor
Fire Brigade, 1929 |
|
Many famous Windsorians feature in this report,
either as fireman or as donors to their funds. Story |
| "On The Beat" Norman
Wisdom film from 1962. Location
pictures |
 |
Windsor has often been used as a location for filming,
most famously perhaps in a Norman Wisdom film 'On The Beat' from
1962 where Norman is pursued by a vast army of policemen. Those
areas that appear in the film are photographed again in May 2003.
Location pictures. See
also Carry on Cabby 1963 |
| The First
Aerial Post 1911 |
 |
The first flights to and from Windsor and Hendon
carrying mail in September 1911. Story
from the local paper |
| Ward Royal and
Oxford Road |
 |
Beauty or Beast? Opinions differ about
the major 1969 housing development opened by the Queen near the
centre of Windsor on June 23rd 1969. Also includes pictures and
details of the shops in the lost section of Oxford Road.
Ward
Royal and Oxford Road
|
| Businesses
in Oxford Road 1950 - 1965 |
|
A 'side-by-side' list of shops in a popular part
of Windsor after the war. Most were lost when Ward Ropyal was
built in 1968-1969. Businesses
in Oxford Road 1950 - 1965 |
| The Royal Windsor
Tapestry Manufactoy |
 |
For just 14 years a Tapestry Manufactory existed
in Old Windsor from 1876 - 1890. Here you will find a brief history...
The Royal Windsor Tapestry Manufactoy |
| Raising
the Flag |
 |
The Windsor Castle flag staff mystery plus information
about the Union flag and flying the flag at 'half mast'. |
| Windsor's Saluting Cannons |
 |
The Royal Borough has fired Salutes in Windsor
since 1754! History plus pictures of Salute for Queen Elizabeth's
76th Birthday in 2002. |
| Christmas
Trees at Windsor |
|
A brief history of the earliest known Christmas
trees at Windsor, in 1800, Prince Albert's influence and the
Christmas Tree on Castle Hill with the annual Carol Concert. |
| Coat of Arms of The
Royal Borough of New Windsor, 1566 |
|
A description of The Coat of Arms of The Royal
Borough of New Windsor, dating from 1566. |
| Shopping in Windsor 1969 |
|
The cost of living in Windsor compared to Stonehouse,
Gloucestershire. Two bills from Christmas 1969 featuring fruit
and vegetables. |
| A Peep Behind the
Ivy |
|
The Old Burial Ground at Bachelors Acre and pictures
of Charles Knight Gateway. |
| The Windsor Martyrs |
 |
Robert Testwood, Henry Filmer,
Anthony Pierson, John Marbeck and Robert Bennett. Indicted for
heresy in Henry VIII's reign. |
| The Fascination of Directories |
|
A short essay about the Directories of Windsor
in Victorian Times and before and where to find them. |
| Vansittart Road Recreation
Ground, 1989 |
|
The Borough Council tried to sell off Vansittart
Rec in 1989. Read why the protesters were so up in arms, and
how the battle was won. |
| The Civic
Trust Scheme, May 1961 |
|
The story of the major repainting of Windsor High
Street in May 1961 plus down comes the Castle wall! |
| Bachelor's
Acre 'Female' Tank 1920-1940 |
|
For around twenty years from 1920 to 1940 a World
War I tank was on display at Bachelor's Acre. Photos and story. |
| The Butlers
Store Fire of 1964 |
|
Part of a series covering Fires and Floods in Windsor
past |
Severe Weather
|
|
|
| The Floods
of 1947 |
|
The worst floods of the century in Windsor, caused
by a long cold winter and sudden thaw - what was it like? |
| The Floods of Victorian
Times |
|
Flooding in Victorian times was a common event.
In this story we feature a coloured view of Windsor during the
floods of November 1875 from The Illustrated London News, plus
other flood reports from 1869, 1873, 1877, 1891 and 1894. |
| The Great Freeze of 1963 |
|
An extended period of cold weather froze the river
Thames - boys played hockey and rode their bikes on the ice,
Windsorians strolled across the Thames and BBC TV showed a car
on the frozen river at Oxford! Do you
have pictures we could use please?? |
