A Tour of Reading Town Centre (1948)

This facinating film was in Doug Noyes' collection. It was made by members of the Smith Family, of Smith's Coaches of Reading Ltd. Shot from the front of one of the Smith's coaches during the late summer of 1948, it takes the viewer on a tour of the principle streets of Reading Town Centre. It captures busy town centre activity taking place from Market Place to Oxford Road and St Mary’s Butts to the train station. It also includes film of the street frontages before post-war redevelopment, as well as the remains of The People’s Pantry, which was infamously bombed in February 1943.

[@jamesavenell1205]

Just seen this again. Brilliant. I did make a comment some 3 years ago. Smithie did a hell of a job when us mere mortals would not have afforded a cine camera. It's a wonder my old Mum was not up there shopping at the time. Interesting fact. In the film 'Oh Lucky Jim' there are brief views of Reading centre, one very clear for a few frames, on Broad Street heading toward Huntley & Palmers. a trolleybus captioned for Wokingham Road. Reminded me of the numerous vehicles lined up when Reading F.C were home at the good old Elm Park, one tended to disembark at Kensington or Wantage Roads & walk the rest of the way.. What days you blokes who never witnessed the era.

[@nigelknight6688]

Reading looks brilliant in those days... you can see a really vibrant large town👍

[@jamesavenell2368]

Oh heck that brought tears to my eyes, I was ten at the time, I remember the sight of 'The Peoples Pantry' bombed out & I recall going in there once with my mother, obviously before it was bombed. It was all a long time ago but what days they were & the amount of times I travelled on Smithies coaches, oh just numerous. What memories.

[@kimshayler4501]

Hello! I did respond to one of your comments on another Reading video, but of course, unless you re-visit, you won't see it! Anyway, I'll try again because after reading your comment here, I am almost pretty certain that you are the Jimmy Avenall my Mum talked about!! She recounts a time that a German plane machine gunned along the road and that Jimmy Avenall's Mum pushed her and Jimmy under a bush. Her name is Celia (Bennett) and she lived in Romsey Road. As you said you were 10 at the time of this video, she would have been 9. Oh I so hope you get to see this!!

[@simmer20122]

Born in Reading 2 years after this film was made, Just loved seeing this, mid 1950's was the same. Thank you for sharing, viewing now from Canada.

[@alexc8209]

Amazing how busy it is.

[@DavidCase-ov5uo]

If only we could step into the past through our smart phone. Many of the people will still be around today. Dave. Reading, born 1953.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

When you consider the roads in the area you can see why they built the IDR, it was fairly packed,

[@YouknowwhereHughgo]

Would love the trams back

[@DavidCase-ov5uo]

At least Hickies music shop still exists. Born 1953, Remember the trolley buses but never rode on one much to my regret. Dave.

[@richardhall750]

Anyone remember Bert Hall who drove for Smiths.

[@gog7072]

City planners ruined this town. A real shame knocked all those old buildings down.

[@richardcurtis2469]

Moving traffic in reading....what ever next

[@Blocksofstone]

👌