The Berkshire town of Wokingham has over 1,000 years of history, and this history is interwoven with the bigger story of England. Underneath the vestiges of the modern town, it is still possible to uncover Wokingham's secret past, which includes bull-baiting and highwaymen, breweries and medieval fairs. This book looks at the history of the town from its founding through to the current day, covering, among other things, Wokingham Town Hall and its unique form of governance, provisions for the poor and old in the Lucas Hospital almshouses and the Old Workhouse, poaching in nearby Windsor Forest, and Wokingham's first cinema, The Electric Theatre. Wokingham's medieval Rose Street and surviving ancient houses are explored, as well as the town's oldest pub and its brewing history. The transformation of the town with the arrival of the railways is also examined. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked-away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, Secret Wokingham will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this historic town in Berkshire.

About the Author
Richard Gibbs spent most of his career working for large multinational companies. He has a Master's degree and a PhD. He was a visiting lecturer in business studies at local universities and has published a number of management text books as well as academic articles. He is a founder/director of a company engaged in advanced research in business networks. As well as being interested in local history he is an ardent genealogist. He splits his time between writing, long distance walking and his family.


Book Information
ISBN 9781398104006
Author Richard Gibbs
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 270g