Arborfield
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Properties: Reading Room, Arborfield

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Arborfield Hall

Sarah Hargreaves' Children

Bishopstoke Reading Room

Thomas Hargreaves in Arborfield

Thomas Hargreaves in Bishopstoke

Arborfield's Reading Room was built in 1881 as a memorial to 19-year-old Arthur Hargreaves, who lost his life at Sunbury-on-Thames in October 1878 and is buried at Arborfield.

An article in the 'Reading Mercury' on 30th April 1881 announced the opening as follows:

OPENING OF A READING ROOM.

A Reading Room for the parish of Arborfield, which has recently been built by Mrs. Hargreaves, of Arborfield Hall, in memory of her son, the late Mr. Arthur Hargreaves, was opened on Thursday in last week. The room, which is built near the church, contains a well-selected library and numerous games, the entire cost being defrayed by Mrs. Hargreaves. The proceedings commenced with a tea, at which Mrs. and the Misses Hargreaves and Mrs. John Simonds presided, after which a public meeting was held.

The chair was taken by the Rev. Lionel Walsh, rector of Arborfield, who delivered an able address. Among other speakers were the Rev. J. T. Brown, of Wokingham, rural dean, the Rev. Arthur Roberts, rector of Barkham, Captain Cobham (Leighton Park), Mr. John  Simonds (Newlands), and Mr. Webster, the schoolmaster. The proceedings closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Hargreaves for her generous gift.

Note that there was no mention at all of Sarah Hargreaves' husband Captain Thomas Hargreaves, who had been living in Bishopstoke near Southampton since 1870, and had already provided Reading Rooms at Bishopstoke six years earlier. 

The Reading Room at Arborfield was used not only as a library and place of study, but also for concerts, with the Hargreaves family providing the entertainment, as this article in the Reading Mercury from 24th December 1881 shows:

The Reading Mercury from 11th November 1882 reported on a regular pattern of events:

ENTERTAINMENT. - The first of a series of monthly entertainments took place in the Reading Room, Arborfield, last week. The programme was as follows:-

Piano duet	Mrs. Hargreaves and Miss F. Hargreaves.
Song "Come Lasses"	Miss Jeacocke.
Reading	Sir Paul Hunter.
Song, "Parson and Clerk"	Mr. Lewis.
Duet, violin and piano	Mrs. Hargreaves and Miss Hunter.
Song, "My pretty Jane"	Mr. R. Wells.
Recitation, "Isles of the Sea"	Mr. Newbury.
Duet	Mr. and Mrs. Webster.
Piano duet	Miss Walsh and Miss Hodges.
Song, "Welcome ever"	Miss E. Jeacocke.
Reading	Mr. Webster.
Song, "Milly's Faith"	Mrs. Webster.
Duet, violin and piano	Mrs. Hargreaves and Miss Hunter.
Recitation, "The Chameleon"	Mr. E. Webster.
Song, "The Midshipmite"	Mr. Lewis.