The Brook, Wokingham

[Robert_Marr]

My maternal grandfather was born in 1927 at Royal Berks Hospital. As an illigitimate child only his mother's details were recorded. She lived at a place named The Brook, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham. Does anyone with knowledge of the area know what this place is or if it still exists?

My grandfather was adopted the following year by a couple in Middlesex. On his marriage and death certificate, he died in 1969, his parents are recorded as his adoptive parents. As The Brook is one of my only links to his natural mother I'd like to find out more about it.

[behindthefrogs]

The House was presumably nearby where the Finchampstead Road crosses Embrook.  I can't remember without going for a walk whether there are any older houses remaining there.  Certainly two of the probable four sites are occupied by a new housing estate and a large Tesco Store.  The road is very long and so I won't be going any further along it.

There is also I believe a copy of the 1932 Kelly's directory in the local reference library.  With the delay between details being collected and publish that could be extremely helpful.  i will get back to you

David.

[Robert_Marr]

Hi David,

Thanks for the information. I had a feeling that the building may not be there any longer but just wanted to check via someone with local knowledge.

If you do find anything in the "Kelly's directory". My gf's natural mother was named Kennedy and a dressmaker if this helps any.

Thanks

Robert

[behindthefrogs]

Hi Robert,

I went into the reference library this morning and could find nothing about "The Brook".  I then walked down the road to Tesco.  My memory about the area where Finchampstead Road crosses Embrook was correct.  The area being a modern housing estate, Tesco, a garage and a small "industrial" area.

There are however four oldish houses still there.  Two of them un-named but two having been made from what was probably once one large house of two wings.  One of these is named "Southbrook"  and is the lesser of the two buildings and is on the south side.  The other number 66, "The Warr Physiotherapy Clinic" is otherwise un-named.  This seems a likely place and might be worth a letter.  Telephoning wouldn't help because you would get stuck at reception.  (I have used the clinic)

regards

David

[Robert_Marr]

Thanks alot Dave for taking the time to look into this and giving the information on here. It is much appreciated.

Cheers

Robert

[Emmarine]

Dear Robert,

My ancestors, the Twycross family, lived at The Brook, Wokingham. James Twycross was born in 1791 and died in 1860 and  had 12 children. I have a lot of information about the family. I am not sure if any of the  descendants still lived there in 1927, but I am sure there is information about the Twycross family available in Wokingham.

Chris

[Emmarine]

I just noticed on the map of the Warr clinic that it is near Carey Rd. That was the maiden name of John Twycross's mother Mary Carey who was related to the Careys in Kingsleys " Westward Ho." I think there also may be a Twycross rd therabouts.

Chris

[behindthefrogs]

That is an interesting observation.  There is no Twycross Road in Wokingham.  I don't know when Carey Road was named or even when it was constructed.  It doesn't figure in any of the major extensions to the town.

It isn't named after a former mayor as many roads are, but the Charles Kingsley connection is very likely.  Not as you would imagine through "Westward Ho" but through "The Water Babies"

Tom the chimney sweep is supposed to be based on a Wokingham boy who lived at 31 Rose Street.  The house has a plaque and Kingsley is said to have lived in the area at the time that he wrote it.  The house was earlier used as the Maiden School which is a coincidence in view of Kingsley's work in the area of education.

There is a modern but fairly traditional statue outside the library entrance commemorating the story.

Mother Carey features in the Water Babies.

James Seaward the boy sweep swept chimneys in Wokingham for 60 years, was the first working man to be elected to the council and was the only Alderman to decline election to mayor.  He has a road named after him.

David

[behindthefrogs]

Sorry there is a Twycross Road in Wokingham.  I was using an old directory.  It was presumably named after James Twycross who was mayor in 1858.  I will try to locate it.

David