Out & About August 2017

OA feature

Many city dwellers envy the residents of West Berkshire their outdoor green space. Newbury is particularly fortunate to have a number of green spaces close to the centre of town. Victoria Park has survived numerous attempts at urbanisation, but continues to flourish as a recreational area to be enjoyed by the whole community. On any sunny summer’s day, the park is busy with office and retail workers on their lunchbreak, as well as sun worshippers, children playing and picnicking families. On summer Sunday afternoons, you can relax in a deckchair to the sound of a brass band playing on the bandstand; if you’re feeling more energetic, you can have a game of tennis or exercise on the outdoor gym equipment. NewburyWeekly News archivist JACKIE MARKHAM takes a look at the history of Victoria Park and readers have shared some of their pictures. 

With thanks to West Berkshire Museum curator Ruth Howard, Elaine Harle and her FB group West Berkshire History, Ashley Kordowski and his FB group Newbury & Thatcham Past and Present, Victoria Park Nursery, and to those who shared their memories.

Aerial view of Victoria Park, September 1984

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