A COMMUNITY group took South Reading residents for a trip down memory lane to revisit one of its favourite sellers.
Members of the Whitley Community Museum reminisced about Frosts the Butchers, which used to be on Northumberland Avenue.
Curator David Turner said: “It is somewhat noticeable that whenever a photograph of a shop is shown on the museum Facebook site we always receive a huge response.
“It is clear just how much residents valued the independent shops.”
Located next to the community centre, the store was run by Tom and Kath Powell, who were the butcher and cashier respectively. Kath used to work sitting at a kiosk just inside the door.
Two of the many memories shared by members of the Whitley Community Museum in the comments section were of the sawdust on the floor, which was there to soak up any juices dripping from the meat, and the black, long-haired three-legged cat.
Whitley resident Beany King remembered how clean the shop was, despite the sawdust, while Jenny Dakin acknowledged the kindness and professionalism of the staff.
Mr Turner explained the importance of mobile shops to Whitley life. One was owned by George Chapman who bought sausages and other meat items to resell.
He added: “Shopping today has, of course, changed considerably. The advent of supermarkets was the first big change in how we shopped.
“We must keep alive, however, the memories we all have of our local shopkeepers who almost became one of the family in the way they all took an interest in our families.”
With over 4,600 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
