A STRIKING building in South Reading will be remembered for more than just its appearance.
Once described by Cllr Jason Brock as ‘one of the most beautiful buildings in Reading’, the Gillette Factory, Basingstoke Road, was given locally listed status by the council in 2019.
The company moved to the site in 1948 and established its own social group, which was open to its employees and their guests, hosting a wide range of entertaining activities.
David Turner, curator of the Whitley Community Museum, said: “The building is considered to have social significance in the community development of Whitley. The Gillette workforce had the pleasure of using a social club within the factory which included a swimming pool and all manner of sports facilities.
“The swimming pool was very popular with not only the workforce but organisations like Reading Swimming Club who took advantage of the early starts for training purposes. Dance nights were also very popular going by the response when I posted these photographs recently on the museum’s Facebook page.”
“Employees were allowed to invite friends so the whole community benefited.
“On a personal note I was able to play snooker most weeks as I had a friend who worked there and clearly remembered what a great atmosphere there was at the club.
Other residents shared their memories of vibrant dance nights, as well as Christmas and New Year parties, many of which were organised by Ronnie Wyles Disco.
Tennis matches and trips to pantomimes and Southsea were also popular. Mr Turner described the range of activities as ‘endless’.
He praised the way in which company social clubs helped keep members of the community engaged and active, also pointing out that even the council had one in the 1970s. The group was called The Top of the Town, and met at the Civic Offices.
Mr Turner said: “This was a period when I worked for the council and remember well playing snooker on a Friday night.
“My partner was the Mayor’s chauffeur during a time when the council had a mayoral car with the number plate MRD 1, now used on one of the Reading Buses. I wonder how many company social clubs still exist?”
With over 5,000 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.
The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.
It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.
The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits in-person.
For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com
