YOUNG PEOPLE have benefited from a multipurpose Whitley facility ever since the 1950s.
The South Reading Community Centre is now home to the Whitley Library, Sure Start, a food surplus and cafe, but continues to offer plenty of provision for young people.
In this week’s Whitley Way Back When, members of the centre’s youth group are pictured gathered outside the front porch.
Whitley Community Museum’s curator David Turner said the photograph garnered plenty of interest on its Facebook page.
He said: “This photograph was recently posted on the Community Museum’s page and it was heartwarming to read so many stories from residents who remembered the period.
“Many remembered visiting the centre either for its youth club or with Geoffrey Field School that used the centre as an annex.
“Once again a photograph has provoked many memories with residents reliving times way back when and rekindled friendships once again.
The school used the centre for two overflow classes during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Residents past and present left comments reminiscing about their memories of classes, youth group meetings and discos at the community hub.
Samantha Williams said: “Great youth club brilliant memories,” while Anne Mackie remembered taking her own chart hit records to play in the early 1950s.
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
