Arborfield
Local History Society

The first items dealt with by the new Council were typical rural issues: footpaths, bus stops, preservation of trees, village green, etc. - a true rural idyll. In recent times, the Council’s business has been dominated by the A327 and traffic, Waste Transfer Stations, housing development, Structure Plans, Transport Plans, Loddon Area Plans, Housing Plans.......

The building of the M4 and the rush of developers and planners, leading to the rape of the Berkshire countryside, has altered the nature of the area beyond recognition. The car and lorry dominate, with little thought given to infrastructure.

This article uses extracts from Minutes of the Annual Meetings, which effectively 'took the pulse' of the parish during this period of change up to the early 1980's, when there was a lull in large development for at least 15 years.

The 1948 joint meeting at the Village Hall was well-attended with 60 present, because the new amalgamated Council was due to be elected. Ten parishioners were proposed for the seven places, and none withdrew their nominations, so a poll was held on 5th April, electing:

Albert Jarvis,
Brigadier Edward William Chadwick,
Herbert George Lee,
Rev. Claude Anthony Topp Sparshott,
Jessie Capper (who also served as District Councillor),
Peter Oades Wakeford and
Samuel Guy Bentley.

By 1949, attendance at the Annual Meeting declined to 18. Concern was still expressed for improvements to roads and to provide footpaths for the safety of children.

Electricity had finally been laid on by 1950, but only to certain parts and premises. Increased traffic occupied many minds: the filled-in Pond was proposed to be a car-park, presumably for the "Bull" Public House;
Parishioners were urged to support a petition for provision of footpaths on the A327 road;
the southbound bus stops at the Cross and at the "Bramshill Hunt" were each to be moved 100 yards further south, to give motorists better visibility to pass if two buses met in opposite directions;
and Brigadier Chadwick asked if the buses normally carrying school children could be diverted along Langley Common Road and past the school.
The question of a Playing Field, dormant since before the War, was again raised.
A Civil Defence Scheme was to be started.
Closer to home, Sewage Disposal Tanks were to be provided by the R.D.C., and an appeal was made for weekly refuse collection, rather than fortnightly.

The Councillors were busy in the following year, attending 10 Council meetings instead of the usual 4.

A Public Meeting was called in February 1951 to consider the findings of the Survey of Rights of Way, and to record objections. The annual meeting in March was particularly well-attended. Buses for schoolchildren would not be diverted, but Police would supervise crossing the road near the bus stops. No fewer than nine sites had been viewed for a Playing Field.
In the meantime, Mr Lee was prepared to allow the continued use of the field already loaned by him for football, to be also used for cricket and organised games, subject to review each year.
The chairman, Rev. Sparshott, pointed out that, due to Mr Lee's kindness, the village had always had most of these facilities, at which the audience cheered Mr Lee.
The British Legion might, as soon as they developed their land, provide Tennis and Bowls facilities.
As far as a children's playground was concerned, there might be a satisfactory arrangement with the W.R.D.C. "regarding the open space in the centre of Anderson Avenue". Among other items, possible extensions to the chronically-overcrowded Village Hall were discussed; these would cost about £900.

Domestic crises

Mr A Jarvis took over the chairmanship in 1952 when Rev. Sparshott moved from the parish.

He reported progress on getting footpaths on parts of the A327 to what was described as an "interesting meeting" of 28 people.

There were several questions about the lack of electricity to nos. 15 to 32 Council Houses, despite a transformer near-by (though it later transpired that this belonged to the War Dept.),
and the overflowing cess-pools at these houses, which the W.R.D.C. only emptied once every two months, despite filling-up within 3 weeks. The people were advised to complain "en bloc" to the W.R.D.C.

At a Parish Council election on 9th May 1952, seven of the eleven candidates were successful:

Mrs Capper,
Mr H G Lee,
Mr A Jarvis,
Mr S G Bentley,
Mr Johns,
Mr Foxton,
Mr T J Chitty.

A special meeting was called in November 1952 to consider a house-to-house collection for the King George VI Memorial Fund, and for plans to celebrate the forthcoming Coronation. One suggestion was to put a rented television in the Village Hall for the villagers to view the ceremony.

The 1953 meeting was told that the Parish Cottages were becoming a liability because fixed rents could not meet the costs of maintenance, and that when one of the pair in Swallowfield Road became vacant, they would be disposed of.

The new Council Houses [at Anderson/Emblen Crescents] would not have garages on the ground of cost. Existing W.R.D.C. tenants could now purchase their houses if they so desired. The final stage of the survey of footpaths, bridleways and cart tracks was reached, and a map was being displayed for four months at the Camp Post Office where Mr S C Bentley was sub-postmaster. [As a result, there was a hearing into a disputed footpath on Arborfield Hall Farm, at which Arthur Bentley, the Parish Clerk, put the case in favour - click here to read the details of the dispute]

Regarding bus stops, the southbound one near the Cross needed to be moved because 70 school children would all be waiting on a narrow section of path, preventing others from passing. Among other items, complaints were made about the "unpleasant odour emitting when the cesspool was emptied each week from the Bramshill Hunt into Wokingham Lane".

Electricity for all?

In 1954, people continued to complain about the lack of electricity for all and the lack of sewage facilities except for the new Council Houses. Victor Foxton was the new chairman; new business included a demand for a footpath along School Road, which was now a busy one; and for a telephone kiosk in Lower Arborfield [this was never provided].

The District Councillor reported each year on the progress made to reduce the housing list. By 1954, W.R.D.C. had built 715 Council Houses since the War, but in 1955 she had to report that the Council had only been allowed to build 50 that year.

Council Houses 15 to 32 [those near the 'Bramshill Hunt'] were finally connected to Main Sewage and electricity by the 1955 meeting.

When Norman Hart took over as chairman in 1956, he was able to report that some of the Parish Cottages were now improved: electricity was installed in those in Greensward Lane. However, those in Swallowfield Road were now condemned, and the tenants were now on the housing list. Walden Avenue was mentioned for the first time: because it was a private road, nothing could be done about the dangerous exit onto the main road [Walden Avenue was not yet surfaced]. The War Department had withdrawn their demands for extra ground for training purposes; these had included Kidgem's Copse and the Coombes. However, the Ducks Nest Farm area was to be used for minor tactical training.

By 1957 the Council House waiting list had reduced to 550, 32 of them from Arborfield. 90 families had been housed in 1956/7, and 113 houses were under construction in Woodley. A further 300 were planned throughout the Rural District, and it was anticipated that the waiting list would dwindle to nothing within another year.

There were no members of the public at the 1957 meeting, while only one attended in 1958, where it was reported that the Parish Cottages in Swallowfield Road were about to be demolished, now that Mrs Hawkins had been re-housed "in the Newlands Estate".

In 1959, the state of the old churchyard was again discussed. It could not be cleared until existing buildings which were considered unsafe were demolished. Four more houses in the village had been condemned, and the tenants needed to be re-housed. Mr Beton asked if footpath No. 16 be closed because it ran to School Road through the planned estate adjoining the British Legion; a new road [Link Way] linking with the Newlands Estate would render it unnecessary.

Despite the fond hopes of W.R.D.C. a couple of years earlier, the Council House waiting list had not shrunk by 1959 after all; at that time, there were just over 600 on the list, 31 of them from Arborfield.

School Road was finally provided with a footpath by 1960. The new chairman, Guy Bentley, listed the village organisations, including the W.I., the Young Wives' Group, the 60-strong Gardening Association and a popular weekly Whist Drive organised by Miss Smith for funds for a summer outing for the Old Age Pensioners. However, the Royal Observer Corps only had 7 members, and was in danger of disbanding. Mr. Bentley said that "they would face an impossible task should hostilities ever break out again. One does not realise that these men train not only for aircraft recognition, but also for radioactive fallout which would endanger the lives of all should ever a nuclear [strike] occur".

The District Councillor reported that several local people had been housed, some locally and some in Woodley. "The R.D.C. recognise that the housing problem was acute in Arborfield, but there is no land available for building; also, that there are a number of under-populated houses in the village". [This problem would persist for another decade until new bungalows were built in three new locations - Whitewell Close, Harts Close and the civilian part of Valon Road].

A Dormitory Village?

Mr Bentley said the following year that, if ever the progress of this parish were written, 1960 to 1961 would be recorded as the year in which the character of Arborfield and Newland experienced the greater alteration. The two new housing estates [Link Way and Melrose Gardens] were bringing a different atmosphere to the village. Where in years gone by the main livelihood was derived from agriculture, now the parishioners consist of civil servants, engineers, aircraft workers and many others. The demolition of the Post Office Cottages would, no doubt, result in a useful addition of new houses to the village, and it was hoped that the new buildings would be erected to fit in with the character of the Village Street and surrounding buildings. The vacant site opposite the Bull was to be purchased by the County Council for road improvements.

The 1962 meeting was told that the Greensward Lane cottages were now condemned; the tenants would be re-housed and the land sold. The Old Pond site was still an eyesore, being cut up by parking heavy vehicles; however, the War Memorial and surrounds were being very well-kept by Mr Clacey. The old church had been made safe by removing the roof.

Land behind the Village Stores had been sold for development [this land became the extension of Melrose Gardens beyond the footpath to Arborfield Court].

Parts of the main street were still not connected to main drainage.

Eight members of the public were present in 1963 to hear that the Playing Fields Association had levelled and seeded the site at the British Legion, and it was now available for use by football teams. Any parishioners interested in forming a bowls or tennis club were to contact the Secretary of the PFA.

Ernest Mann took the chair in 1964, when Link Way was first mentioned by name: its residents complained of the terrific speed used by cars and other traffic along it, because there was no speed limit. The green in Anderson Crescent was being chewed up by cars being parked on it, there being no garages for them. Worse, the footpath path from Eversley Road to Anderson Crescent was dangerous because of cyclists, and it 'was often being used immorally also as a urinal'.

The new estate opposite the Bull was a point of contention in 1965, the Council winning a battle to reduce the density from 16 to 12 houses per acre.

At this stage, Melrose Gardens opened onto Swallowfield Road, but it would be stopped up if the new estate were to be linked to Melrose Gardens.

More development was planned for 12 old peoples' flats on land next to Magnolia Cottage, plus 18 flats on the same site [this became Whitewell Close].

Sadly, Ernest Mann had to report that three former Councillors had died: Miss Jervoise of Targett's, Mr Norman Hart formerly of Emblen Crescent, and Mr Guthrie Allsebrook formerly of Arborfield Hall, who'd moved a few years before to Shinfield.

"Your Village"

A Village Book was planned in 1966 to help make newcomers welcome. Main drainage and sewage pipes in the centre of the village were about to be commissioned. The Council were concerned about the dangerous road junction at the Cross, suggesting a roundabout and also the re-siting of the Bull! At the other end of the village, there were dangerous bends near the Bramshill Hunt, and there had been several accidents at the Langley Common Road junction, with cars ending up in the ditch. Street lighting was a contentious issue, 81 in favour but 73 against. A compromise was that lights would be erected on the new estates, but that the main road and Church Lane would not be lit. Plans were in hand to buy children's play equipment for the British Legion site.

11 parishioners at the 1967 meeting heard about plans to improve grass areas around the Cross now that the estate was complete. The developers [Weaver] were to be pressed to ensure that trees were planted as promised. Main drainage might at last come to Walden Avenue, Church Lane and Greensward Lane.

Electricity supply was a problem: "Arborfield is subjected to a large number of electric cuts which causes a great deal of hardship". A footpath was considered alongside Hillcrest, when funds allowed. The vacant land next to the Post Office was overgrown and an eyesore, accumulating rubbish; likewise the land between Hillcrest and Melrose Gardens [now Harts Close].

33 parishioners attended the 1968 meeting.
Plans had been approved for a new Junior School in the village to take increasing numbers of children,
and to allow for 310 new married quarters at the Garrison [Faraday, Fleming and Kelvin Closes, plus infill on the existing estates].
A new by-pass around the Garrison was due to start construction.
The Playing Field Association reported that a fence would be erected around the Children's Play Area, at the British Legion site, and that connections to Main Drainage would allow toilets to be provided.

The land at Greensward Lane where the former Parish Cottages stood would be sold with planning permission for two new houses. Mr Harlow asked if Walden Avenue was to be made up when Main Drainage was complete, while Mrs Prentice had heard that it was 22nd on the list for the County. However, the meeting as a whole considered that the Arborfield Cross junction was the main priority. A footpath may be provided adjacent to Cross Lanes Farm. The possible reason for the crowded meeting was the discussion of speed limits, led by Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Arkell, Attwood, Mann, Mason, Capt. Meaby and Mrs Berry.

Annual Reviews begin

In 1969, an Annual Review was provided for the first time prior to the meeting. In it, Ernest Mann mentioned the Village Booklet, and also the closer links with the Army Garrison, in particular "that a new Army Sports Centre was being planned for the Garrison and that the excellent facilities which will be provided will also be available to villagers". The village centre was much tidier, with trees and shrubs planted by Mrs Boot and her helpers on the old Village Pond site.

The new by-pass was under construction in 1970, when parishioners learned with alarm that the Eversley Road would be cut off through the camp in conjunction with the new Army housing developments. Plans were well advanced to extend the Village Hall, which had been talked about for years. Other plans to provide more shops in the village were stagnating. The school head, Cyril Piggott (who had been a Parish Councillor and active in many organisations) had moved from the village, and was replaced by Leslie Vokes.

1971 was Allan Canham's turn in the chair. He said that 1971 would go down as "the year in which Walden Avenue was made up"!

The new Infants' School was nearing completion.

The British Legion had given the Playing Fields Association notice to quit the site as the lease was running out. The Council were beginning to look elsewhere for a site, perhaps further behind the British Legion. The meeting, provoked "lively discussion", including very popular proposals to acquire (rather than lease) a 10 acre site. The scope of the Hurst Fuel Allotment which was administered by the Council was broadened. A request was made for a footpath from the Cross along Sindlesham Road to its junction with Church Lane. Melrose Gardens residents complained of low water pressure.

The 1972 meeting generated a huge crowd of about 100 parishioners plus the entire Council. The recreation ground was likely to be off Swallowfield Road, but the land owner [Herbert Lee of Newland Farm] did not wish to sell; a compulsory purchase order would be required. The meeting was asked to approve a £12,000 loan for the development (49 for, 23 against).

Further Housing Developments and the By-Pass

By 1973, the Hillcrest development [Harts Close] was completed, and a landscaping scheme was proposed to alleviate the harshness of the elevations, which were more prominent than expected. Landscaping of the Garrison by-pass included 29 trees planted by parishioners. The Fuel Allotment generated very little income: £9 was enough to cover only 5 lots of 2 cwt in December 1972. The cost of the Recreation Ground had risen to £17,000. The cul-de-sac formed by the Garrison by-pass was still known as Eversley Road, which caused confusion. Residents did not want the name to be "Eversley Close".

69 parishioners attended the 1974 meeting, chaired by Noel Sudbury. They heard that the Recreation Ground site had been acquired in September 1973 and was being seeded, but would not be ready until 1975. Speed limits and sight-lines continued to cause complaint, and a traffic warden had been allocated to the village.

Mini-roundabouts had been proposed by the Parish Council (but rejected by the County) for the five-way junction at the Cross, and the Council were maintaining a record of all traffic accidents to be used as evidence of need.

The 1975 meeting was reminded that Arborfield had won the "Best-Kept Village" competition at the first attempt. The recreation ground was to be opened on 10th May with a celebration, and volunteers had planted donated trees. A pavilion was to be built out of the rate levy. The recreation ground would be called "Arborfield Park" (11 votes) in preference to "Causeway Park" (7 votes) , "The Arbor" (5 votes) or four other suggestions (12 votes combined). There was a planning appeal against refusal to allow development of 28 flats at the site of Newland House.

The site of Newland House continued to generate heat at the 1976 meeting, as well as from the burning of tyres and cables which was a continuing nuisance. Planning permission had been granted for building 19 flats, though the Parish Council objected to the design. Fred Fox announced that, arising out of the 1975 Park celebrations, the Arborfield Entertainments Committee had been formed, initially providing a regular disco.

The Pavilion was complete and in use by 1977. Edition 4 of "Your Village" had been published and distributed. There was a spate of vandalism, with new trees being broken.

Travellers . . .

'Travellers' were a problem in 1978, having occupied verges off Langley Common Road. Among other topics mentioned, Peter Teague of the Park Management sub-committee reported that the football pitches were well-used and that the car park was now surfaced with tarmac.

34 parishioners attended in 1979. The chairman reported that Anderson and Emblen Crescents now had street-lights, and that Berks County Council planned to illuminate the A327 from Shinfield to Langley Common Road. A drainage scheme had been completed at the Park. Fuel allotments were down to 2 lots of coal that year. Andrew Harbinson reported that the Arborfield Village Association had been formed to replace the Entertainments Committee, aiming eventually to provide a social centre large enough to cater for the needs of the village.

There was a proposal in 1980 to amalgamate Arborfield and Newland with Barkham Parish Council in 1983 together with boundary changes at Bearwood, Nash Grove Lane and Doles Lane. Pound Copse was finally to be handed over, in exchange for the removal of a stub footpath.

Allan Canham took over again as chairman in 1981. The Village Association had been disbanded, leaving £397 for the future hall project. The car park at the recreation ground was to be doubled in size to cater for visiting football teams.

The bus service from Reading via Arborfield had been axed, but the council won a reprieve for a much reduced service to be provided between Arborfield and Wokingham. The Schools Association had provided a cover for the swimming pool.

[Further summaries of Annual Meetings will be recorded here after passage of a little more time....]

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Arborfield Local History Society

Arborfield & Newland P.C. 1948 on

Arborfield
Local History Society