SOUTH Reading residents spent a morning reminiscing about the good ol’ days thanks to a retrospective event on Saturday, February 4.
The Whitley Community Museum’s Way Back When in Whitley allowed visitors to peruse archived photographs and artefacts from the ward’s past.
The 1945 Victory Day party on Torrington Road, Rabson Rovers’ glory days and frivolities at Ashmead School were amongst some of the moments captured.
Visitors spent the morning exchanging anecdotes, with many spotting relatives and friends in the images on display.
“It was another successful and crowded morning with residents bringing in more photographs. My job now is to scan them so we’ve got a copy, so it’s really helped us fill some of the gaps.
“The museum aside, it’s a great event where people can come and just casually chat to one another with a slice of cake. It’s really helped people reconnect with each other.”
Artefacts were also laid out in the community hub, many of which brought back memories of times past for Whitley residents.
A mantelpiece clock garnered particular attention among visitors, not only because of its impressive design, but also by virtue of its backstory.
Mr Turner informed guests that it had been gifted by a lady whose father had been presented with it after working at Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory for 50 years.
The museum’s Facebook page has successfully gathered a community of 4,800 current and former residents who share pictures and interact with each other, discussing the content of items posted.
Looking ahead, Mr Turner hopes the next generation will be as willing to help continue archiving photos taken and stored electronically.
He said: “For young people, all their photographs of things they do and see in Whitley are all on their iPhones. They’re not something I can take and display physically.
“We have to think about how we move forward with the younger generation, I think it’s going to be with TV screens.
“We must never forget, [the pictures] will never finish. They’ll always be there. We’ve proved how popular the photos are that we post on the Facebook page each night.”
The museum event was followed by the Whitley Community Development Association’s annual general meeting, which was open to all members of the community.
Many of the points raised highlighted the prominent work the organisation has accomplished this year, notably the success of the food surplus programme.
Store food within the use by date is collected and stocked at the community centre, where individuals can fill up a plastic bag for £1.
New trustees and members were also accepted.
At the end of the afternoon, photographer Kieran Doherty showcased his acclaimed Corona Diary works, which have featured in The Sunday Times.
