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Berkshire / Re: Tea Gardens in what is now Winnersh Triangle to Lower Early "roundabout"
« on: Wednesday 15 January 14 16:09 GMT (UK) »
Hi Pebs.
Purely by chance I have just stumbled across your RootsChat request on whether, or not, there was a Tea Gardens by Loddon Bridge. Well I can confirm that there was a ‘Tea Gardens’. How? Well my family lived there in the main house from circa1938 until 1945. I’m now 76!
In those days the Tea Gardens could be clearly seen from the bridge and was identifiable by having the words ‘Tea Gardens’ printed on our roof. Entrance was by a graveled drive situated about 40 yards from the bridge on the RHS looking towards Wokingham.
There was a house on our drive entrance that may have been used as a restaurant at some time. A scattering of fruit trees lined the drive leading to our house. There was also a wooden bungalow on the riverside between the bridge and the Tea Gardens.
Adjoining our house was the Tea Gardens that, to my memory, was not in use during our stay. It consisted of a central hall with an enclosed covered table area outside on two sides. Situated on the river was a landing stage where the young bucks of the day would tie up their boats/punts and take their ladies/families into the Gardens for tea and cakes etc. By the landing stage was a Springboard, so I expect swimming also took place in the Loddon. Lastly there was a landscaped garden that included a large lily covered pond with an island in the middle and a walk board for access. So all in all it must have been an enjoyable place to visit. By the way the boats were hired from the George.
The hay-days of the Tea Garden were probably in the 1920s although I can remember the dance hall being used for some functions early in the war years.
My dad’s name was Ernie Smith and he ran a small holding there with cows, pigs, chicken etc where the Garden Centre is now. He achieved all this after a full days work at Parslows, which at that time I believe, was sited in the Butts.
Franks Café also existed and was sited adjacent to us about 100 yards from the Bridge. The café was more transport than Burger king.
We had to leave the Tea Gardens when Lintons Garage bought the site and I believe it was then used to house a caravan park and the house was converted into flats.
I visited the remains of the house in 1982 and my childhood memories came rushing back. So sad to see it then and now it's no more.
I hope this helps Pebs.
Gerry66
Purely by chance I have just stumbled across your RootsChat request on whether, or not, there was a Tea Gardens by Loddon Bridge. Well I can confirm that there was a ‘Tea Gardens’. How? Well my family lived there in the main house from circa1938 until 1945. I’m now 76!
In those days the Tea Gardens could be clearly seen from the bridge and was identifiable by having the words ‘Tea Gardens’ printed on our roof. Entrance was by a graveled drive situated about 40 yards from the bridge on the RHS looking towards Wokingham.
There was a house on our drive entrance that may have been used as a restaurant at some time. A scattering of fruit trees lined the drive leading to our house. There was also a wooden bungalow on the riverside between the bridge and the Tea Gardens.
Adjoining our house was the Tea Gardens that, to my memory, was not in use during our stay. It consisted of a central hall with an enclosed covered table area outside on two sides. Situated on the river was a landing stage where the young bucks of the day would tie up their boats/punts and take their ladies/families into the Gardens for tea and cakes etc. By the landing stage was a Springboard, so I expect swimming also took place in the Loddon. Lastly there was a landscaped garden that included a large lily covered pond with an island in the middle and a walk board for access. So all in all it must have been an enjoyable place to visit. By the way the boats were hired from the George.
The hay-days of the Tea Garden were probably in the 1920s although I can remember the dance hall being used for some functions early in the war years.
My dad’s name was Ernie Smith and he ran a small holding there with cows, pigs, chicken etc where the Garden Centre is now. He achieved all this after a full days work at Parslows, which at that time I believe, was sited in the Butts.
Franks Café also existed and was sited adjacent to us about 100 yards from the Bridge. The café was more transport than Burger king.
We had to leave the Tea Gardens when Lintons Garage bought the site and I believe it was then used to house a caravan park and the house was converted into flats.
I visited the remains of the house in 1982 and my childhood memories came rushing back. So sad to see it then and now it's no more.
I hope this helps Pebs.
Gerry66