Tilehurst
Tilehurst | |
---|---|
Tilehurst (part unparished) | |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | READING |
Postcode district | RG30, RG31 |
Dialling code | 0118 |
UK Parliament | |
Tilehurst /ˈtaɪlhɜːrst/ is a suburb of the town of Reading in the county of Berkshire, England. It lies to the west of the centre of Reading; it extends from the River Thames in the north to the A4 road in the south.
The suburb is partly within the boundaries of the
History
Tilehurst was first recorded in 1291, when it was listed as a
Over the space of five years, the manor passed from Best and Jackson to the son of Sir Thomas Crompton, then on to Dutch merchant Peter Vanlore.[1] Vanlore built a manor house on the estate—Calcot Park. Throughout the 17th century the manor passed through the Vanlore family to the Dickenson family, before being purchased in 1687 by the Wilder family of Nunhide (builders of Wilder's Folly) for £1,075.[1] Page and Ditchfield write that in the early 18th century the manor was also owned by the family of John Kendrick, albeit for a short period.[1]
The manor subsequently passed to Benjamin Child, who married Mary Kendrick,[4] heir of the Kendrick family.[1] After Kendrick's death, Childs sold the manor to descendants of John Blagrave in 1759.[1] The Blagrave family built the present-day Calcot House, which—according to one story—was made necessary by Child's eviction.[5] After Child sold the estate to the Blagraves, he was reluctant to leave the house.[5] The Blagraves were forced to remove the building's roof to "flush" him out of the building, thereby requiring a new building to replace the uninhabitable original house.[5][6] The manor was retained by the Blagrave family until the 1920s, after which it served as the clubhouse for the estate's golf course and was later converted into apartments.
The manor of Kentwood was owned by Peter Vanlore, before passing through the Kentwood family (taking their name from the manor itself), the Swafield family, the Yate family, the Fettiplace family and the Dunch family.[1] In 1719, the manor was divided between heirs.[1] The manor of Pincents was named after the local Pincent family. Originally from Sulhamstead, the family owned the manor until the end of the 15th century.[1] After this, it was owned by the Sambourne family before they sold it to the Windsor family. In 1598, the manor was sold to the Blagrave family; its succession through the family is identical to that of Calcot Park.[1] In the 1920s, the manor was sold off and later became a wedding and conference venue. The manor of Beansheaf took its name from a 13th-century Tilehurst family. In 1316, John Beansheaf granted some of the manor's land to John Stonor.[1] While it is not recorded how much was granted, it is likely that Stonor inherited the entire estate as the Beansheaf name did not appear in subsequent records.[1]
In 1390, Ralf Stonor gave the
Throughout the 19th century, a number of changes came to Tilehurst. A
This gave the need for improved utilities; electricity arrived in the 1920s (replacing the gas that fuelled the area from 1906) and Tilehurst Water Tower was built in 1932.[7] After World War II, Tilehurst—like many other settlements—was in need of new housing; from 1950, many houses and estates were built in the area.[7] In the mid-1960s, a prominent Victorian character property, Westwood House with some five acres of open grounds was demolished as part of the ever pressing need for new housing. This site was positioned between Westwood Road and Pierce's Hill and had served well as a venue for occasional local social events.
Toponymy
The name Tilehurst comes from the Old English "tigel" meaning "tile" and "hurst" meaning "wooded hill".[10][11][12] Alternative spellings have included Tygelhurst (13th century), Tyghelhurst (14th century), and Tylehurst (16th century). The present spelling became commonplace in the 18th century.[7]
Governance
Tilehurst is divided between the
Geography
Tilehurst is situated on a hill (approximately 100 metres (330 ft)
Much of Tilehurst was enclosed
Tilehurst is centred around Tilehurst Triangle (known locally as "the village"), a pedestrianised area providing shopping, leisure and educational facilities.
Demography
For
Economy
Until the late 19th century, the majority of working men in Tilehurst were employed in farming or similar agricultural work.
An overhead cable was used to transport the clay-filled buckets between the pits and the
Architecture
The architecture of Tilehurst ranges from 19th century
As the area expanded, a huge number of semi-detached dwellings were built in the mid-20th century,
Examples of unique architecture in Tilehurst include two water towers:
The Mansion House in Prospect Park (19th century) is a regency mansion built in Portland stone.[36] The north and south faces feature Doric and Ionic order porticos respectively.[36]
Culture
Tilehurst has a
Transport
Reading Buses services 15, 15a, 16, 17 and 33 serve Tilehurst,[43] connecting the village to Reading, Purley and Theale.[44]
Tilehurst is bordered by two major roads: to the north by the A329 (connecting the village to Reading and Pangbourne) and to the south by the A4 (connecting the village to Reading and Theale).[17] Non-arterial roads in Tilehurst saw a great improvement in the 1940s with the introduction of trolleybuses in Reading.[45]
Education
Tilehurst is served by two
Tilehurst is served by Brookfields School, a
Places of worship
Tilehurst has a number of religious buildings covering numerous denominations:
- The Church of St Michael, situated centrally in the parish, is a brick church with a square tower.[10] Parts of the building date from the 13th century,[51] replacing an earlier church thought to have been built in 1189.[51] Sir Peter Vanlore is buried in the church's Lady chapel.[52]
- The St Catherine of Siena was built in the Little Heath area of Tilehurst from 1962 to 1964.[53]
- A Methodist church is near the village centre,[54] and a Latter-day Saints church opened in Tilehurst in the 1970s.[7]
- The St Joseph was built in Park Lane from 1955 to 1956.[55]
- Tilehurst also has a St Mary Magdalen.[57]
Tilehurst does not have any synagogues, mosques or gurdwaras; the nearest are in West Reading,[58] central Reading[59] and East Reading respectively.[60]
Sport
Tilehurst has been represented in numerous sports for over a century:
- Tilehurst recreation ground behind the present-day Moorlands School.[62] Victoria Recreation Ground was established in 1897 and the cricket club began using the new park as their ground at some point after this.[63] The club joined the Reading and District Cricket League in 1900; the Reading Chronicle reported on the club's first game—a loss to nearby Grovelands CC—by saying: "Tilehurst were but poorly represented, several of their best players not having signed the required fourteen days and they had to play ten men only".[62] Tilehurst joined the newly formed Hampshire League in 1973, proving successful in their first two seasons.[62] Between 1991 and 1996, Tilehurst played in the Berkshire League. The following year, Tilehurst CC merged with Theale CC to form Theale and Tilehurst Cricket Club. The reason for the merger is attributed to Theale's lack of players but good facilities and Tilehurst's surplus of players but lack of facilities.[62] The club now play at Englefield Road, Theale, in the Thames Valley Cricket League.[62]
- Tilehurst is represented by three football teams: Barton Rovers,[64] Tilehurst Panthers[65] and Westwood Wanderers. Barton Rovers, established in 1982, are based at Turnham's Farm, Little Heath.[66]
- Tilehurst Panthers, established in 2006, are a ladies team based at Cotswold Sports Centre.[67]
- Westwood Wanderers were established in 1972 and are a men's team based at the Cotswold Sports Centre. The team play their home matches at Denefield School.
Notable residents
- Bryan Adams, musician, lived in Tilehurst in the 1960s while his father was stationed in the United Kingdom[69]
- Jacqueline Bisset, actress, grew up in Tilehurst in a 17th-century country cottage, where she now lives part of the year[citation needed]
- Kenneth Branagh, actor, attended Meadway School in the 1970s[70]
- Tim Dinsdale, searcher for the Loch Ness Monster.[71]
- Mike Oldfield, musician, grew up in Tilehurst[72]
- Zac Purchase, Olympic gold medal winning rower, lived on the Dee Road estate[73]
- Formula 1 driver, lived on the Pottery Road estate in the 1980s[74]
- Sir Peter Vanlore (1547-1627) bought Tilehurst Manor and lived there with his wife Lady Jacoba van Loor (daughter of Henri Thibault).
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u P.H. Ditchfield; William Page, eds. (1923). "Parishes: Tilehurst". A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ Ford, David Nash. "The Berkshire Lady". Royal Berkshire History. Nash Ford Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Blagrave, J R (1834). The Manor of Tylehurst. Southcote. p. 10.
- ^ Kendrick's forename is also documented as Frances,[2] also the name of Child and Kendrick's daughter[3]
- ^ a b c Ford, David Nash. "Calcot Park". Royal Berkshire History. Nash Ford Publishing. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ Blagrave, J R (1834). The Manor of Tylehurst. Southcote. p. 11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Tilehurst". Berkshire Family History Society. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ a b Vision of Britain website
- ISBN 0-905392-07-8.
- ^ a b Blagrave, J R (1834). The Manor of Tylehurst. Southcote. p. 5.
- ^ Bosworth, Joseph (1838). A Dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon Language. London: Longman. p. 387.
- ISBN 0766153452.
- ^ "Area: Tilehurst (CP)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ "Area: Tilehurst (Ward)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ "Ward Boundaries effective from May 2003" (PDF). West Berkshire Council. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
- ^ "Parish Register Guide: T". Berkshire Record Office. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e OS Explorer Map (Reading), Ordnance Survey, 2012
- ^ Magic Map Application
- ^ "ASPECTS OF SUBURBAN LANDSCAPES". Historic England. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Magic Map Application". Magic.defra.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
- ^ "Headcounts (Tilehurst ward)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Headcounts (Tilehurst CP)". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Points of Interest – McIlroy Park". Woodland Walks in Tilehurst. Archived from the original on 9 April 2001. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ Pre-WWII – BERKSHIRE 1932–1936 (1:2,500)
- ^ OS NPO (Eng/Wales) 1945–1955 (1:50,000)
- ^ "England – Berkshire: 037". Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 – Epoch 1 (1883). British History Online. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "England – Berkshire: 037". Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 – Epoch 1 (1883). British History Online. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ Map of Reading, Geographia Ltd, 1977
- ^ "Correspondence with Tilehurst Potteries (1922) Ltd, Kew Kiln, Tilehurst". National Archives. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ^ ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-300-12662-4.
- ^ a b "Prospect House, Prospect Park, Reading". British Listed Buildings. English Heritage. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ a b "TILEHURST HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION" (PDF). TILEHURST HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Gardeners' successes at Tilehurst village show". Surrey Advertiser. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "History of the Group". Triangle Players. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Allenova School of Dancing". Allenova School of Dancing. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Tilehurst Square Dance Club". Tilehurst Square Dance Club. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Train Times". Great Western Railway. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Network Map" (PDF). Reading Transport. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ "Tilehurst Bus Services". Bus Times. 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ISBN 1-85983-024-2.
- ^ "Establishment: Denefield School". Department for Education. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "Establishment: Little Heath School". Department for Education. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "Parent's Guide to Admissions to Secondary Schools in West Berkshire 2009/10". West Berkshire Council. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "Brookfields School – a little about us". Brookfields School. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ "Map". Department for Education. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ a b Ford, David Nash. "Tilehurst St. Michael's Church". Royal Berkshire History. Nash Ford Publishing. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Blagrave, J R (1834). The Manor of Tylehurst. Southcote. p. 7.
- ^ "A Little History". St Catherine of Siena. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Tilehurst Methodist Church". Tilehurst Methodist Church. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "A Brief History of St Joseph's". St Joseph's Tilehurst. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Our Church". URC Group Reading. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Reading Churches". X N Media. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Synagogue". Reading Hebrew Congregation. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "BAGR Profile". Bangladesh Association Greater Reading. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ "Reading Sikh community plans new Gurdwara". BBC Berkshire. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
- ^ Bishop, Martin (2007). Bats, Balls and Biscuits. Purley on Thames CC.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Theale and Tilehurst CC. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ISBN 0750909528.
- ^ "Our History". Barton Rovers. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ "About Us". Tilehurst Panthers. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ "Find Us". Barton Rovers. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ Macdonald-READ, Neil (1 July 2015). "Women's football teams to play for in Reading". BerkshireLive.
- ^ a b "Reading Speedway (Tilehurst)". Defunct Speedway Tracks. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "The rough ( as in quirky facts that are probably true) guide to Reading". Reading Evening Post. 7 November 2003. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ Frankel, Hannah. "My best teacher – Kenneth Branagh". Times Educational Supplement. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Loch Ness Hunt". The Times. London. 22 July 1967. p. 2.
- ISBN 978-0091926502.
- ^ getreading (11 June 2009). "Palace date for rower Zac Purchase". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ Cassell, Paul; Pyle, Mike (23 June 2011). "Ayrton Senna a legend... but not in the garden". Reading Evening Post. Retrieved 31 July 2012.