News

Great new image – The Maltings in 1905, by Gordon Collier

I am delighted to announce that our library of Hop Leaf Gazettes & Staff Newsletters from 1926-1964 has just been posted in fully searchable format! A unique record of the Social History of Reading. 1st section HERE 

Our family suffered many casualties of various wars, but on this special day I would like to honour 2 sets of brothers. Click on their names to see their stories:

My mother’s 2 brothers, Raymond Stevens & Edwin Stevens:.  There is a video memorial  HERE:

My father’s 2 cousins, twin brothers Gavin & John Simonds: Just before he died, John wrote an extraordinary letter to his stepson HERE: later published by his wife Barbara.

This beautiful manuscript ‘Family Tree’ was produced in 1926 by the Royal College of Heralds! HERE: 

Chris Gould sent me this lovely image!  We did extensive repairs to the image and he used a microscope to decipher the words ‘Southern Railway’ on the sign.  So we now know it is a delivery to the Bonded stores at Reading Station. Thanks to the ‘sleuths’ out there!

I was interviewed on Brewery History this morning by Kirsten Walker just after the 10.00 am news. To listen, click HERE and go to 07.30 for the 1st session.

I have just received this lovely post card, printed in Dover. Can anybody please date it or identify any images?

In 1929 Lewis Farrugia & Eric Simonds established Simonds Farsons Ltd to brew & distribute beer in Malta. Click below for the story:

I was honoured to be invited to speak about ‘The Simonds Family of Reading’ and their connections to Basingstoke.  The presentation is below.read more…

My lovely niece has contracted the little known and even less understood Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. If you would like to know more of her or of this cancer, or even to contribute to its cure, please click HERE: