Just a reminder that the Model Steam Engine Show will be taking place next Sunday, 15th November from 10.00 to 3.00 pm.  This very popular event is always a great family day out – if the ‘Gods’ are good to us and it doesn’t rain.  If it is raining, unfortunately, the show will not take place.  So, fingers crossed for a nice dry day!

Back row L-R: George Ralph, Keith Brigstock, Georgie Davidson, Ashley Simpkins, Tim Perry, June Crook, Chris Freeman, Bob Williams Front row L-R: Roy Parr, Richard Tallack, Andy Dawson, Gary Crook, Kim (General Patton).

We were so proud to have the wonderful men and women, dressed in WWII uniforms outside the Arcade with their fabulous vintage Military Vehicles once again this year. Everyone at the Arcade and the Royal British Legion send their sincere thanks for all that they have done.   Not only do they raise money for the Poppy Appeal, but they give memories back to people who remember these vehicles from the War and what their parents and grand-parents did during that time.  As you will see from the photos, young people are fascinated by these vehicles and the people who own them. 

Andy Dawson turned the Bedford MWR (Radio) truck into a field kitchen. He’s a great cook!

Keith Brigstock with the immaculate Austin Staff Car

Original Radio equipment in Andy’s Bedford MWR

Henry trying out Gary Crook’s rare Bedford OY Fuel Tanker

Gary Crook with his stunning Bedford OY Fuel Tanker – A very rare lorry

Kim whom I christened, General Patton. He looked amazing

Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour with Kim aka Gen. Patton

Kim’s (Gen. Patton) amazing Dodge WC52 (Weapons Carrier) 1942

Rita with Kim whom she named Gen. Patton

Tim Perry looking very smart with his marvellous Royal Enfield Military Motorbike

I will be posting more photos tomorrow so please look out for them.

Halloween is always fun at Hungerford Arcade –  or so we thought!  When suddenly and without warning, two witches flew down from the sky.  They parked their brooms in the Arcade doorway, the door creaked and the glass rattled as they made their entrance.  The older one, carrying a snowy owl on the end of her hand, cried out,  “We have come this day of Halloween to awaken the spooks who dwell within the bowels of this Arcade”.  The chandeliers shook on the ceilings and lights flickered.  Fearful of the witches, we greeted them kindly hoping they would look upon us favourably, but it became obvious, mischief was on their mind.  

They stalked the Arcade and there came across stallholder, Don Greenslade.  We all gasped and wondered what they had in store for poor Don, when the older witch grabbed him and then, without warning, planted a big kiss on the side of his face.  Then, the young witch did exactly the same.  What is going on? we thought.  All became clear when the witches showed their faces.  We gasped as we looked upon them…… They were Jayne Greenslade (Don’s lovely wife) and his gorgeous daughter, Vicky.  It turned out to be another great day at the Arcade after all!

Recently, I had occasion to be walking past the Crown Court in Reading when I noticed that a memorial had been erected opposite the elegant gates of the building.  On closer inspection, I found that the memorial was in memory of a certain Frederick William Owen Potts who to date, has won the only Victoria Cross associated with the town.

But who was Fred Potts, and what were the circumstances of his gallantry, and what became of him?

Fred was actually born in 1892 in the Katesgrove area of Reading and lived a very obscure life until 1913 when he saved a boy called Charles Rex from drowning in the River Thames, which earned him gratitude and notice at the time.

By 1915, Fred was a soldier serving in 1/1^st Berkshire Yeomanry and found himself involved in the treacherous Gallipoli Campaign.  On the 21^st of August 1915, Fred found himself with a severely wounded comrade very near to some Turkish trenches. He himself had been wounded in the thigh but remained with his fellow soldier for over two days.  Knowing that their position was perilous, Fred constructed a sledge of sorts by attaching a shovel to the equipment of his wounded friend. He then dragged the man over six hundred yards to safety with both being under enemy fire for the whole duration.  For this bravery, Trooper Potts was awarded the Victoria Cross, and after a stay in hospital, he returned to the conflict where he achieved the rank of lance-corporal.

After the war, he kept a tailors shop in Alpine Street and like many other soldiers, slowly faded back into obscurity.  Sadly, Fred died young at the age of fifty on the 2nd of November 1943. He was buried at the Reading Crematorium where his grave can be found.

The Victoria Cross and other medals that belonged to Fred are now held by the Imperial War Museum.  Although Fred died young, the soldier that he saved, a man named Arthur Andrews, lived a long life only passing away in 1980 aged eighty-nine.  Charles Rex, the five year old boy he saved from drowning in 1913 also enjoyed a long life thanks to Fred, surviving until he was nearly ninety.  It was not until 2009 and after a radio documentary, that a reunion took place at the Imperial War Museum between the relatives of both Arthur and Fred.

Shortly after this, plans were put into place that a permanent memorial be erected in honour of Trooper Potts.  The choice of location near to the beautiful Forbury Gardens was a good one and one can see not only the memorial to Fred but a small and interesting permanent exhibition.  There is also an associated memorial, the Maiwand Lion, listing the men of Reading who perished during the horrors of World War One.

Fred also had a new road named after him in Reading, in a rather busy location to say the least.  Trooper Potts Way can be found outside of the back entrance to Reading Railway Station.  I wonder how many of the people using this thoroughfare stop and think of who Trooper Fred Potts actually was and why he is now quite celebrated by this large Berkshire town?

Stuart Miller-Osborne

June is first on the left Gary is in the centre (Is that a fur collar Gary?)

Hungerford Arcade stallholders, Gary and June Crook own two of the military vehicles that will be on display outside the Arcade on Sunday 1st November.  They have just returned from another successful tour with The Royal Observer Group and their vintage military vehicles, this time in Belgium and Germany.

Gary and June came into the Arcade this week to do something very special to their unit.  They cleared two shelves of militaria which was for sale and replaced it with a military display for Remembrance. As you can see from the pictures, they did a marvellous job.

When you are next in Hungerford, call into the Arcade and take a look at Gary and June’s very special unit 28 and our Memorial window.

For further details of this wonderful event, go to  www.hungerfordrotary.org.uk

Hungerford Arcade co-owner, Adrian Gilmour, received an invitation from his bank manager, Phil Hobbs, to attend the Reading Digital Business Club: Innovation, organised by Barclays Bank for their business clients.  Adrian accepted and took his managers, Alex Rogers and myself, (Rita) to the event.

We finished work at the Arcade, locked up and went on our way to Reading in Adrian’s car.  We had to be there by 6.00 pm.  It was raining as we headed along the M4 towards Reading making very good time.  We were about two miles from our exit when suddenly, traffic began to slow down before gradually coming to a halt. We sat there and sat there in the dark, looking at our watches.  At 6.45 we really began to worry, because if we didn’t move by 7.00 at the latest, we might as well turn around and head back to Hungerford.  Then, at 6.55 the traffic started moving, getting faster and faster.  We were soon at our turn-off just outside Reading.  

Barclays Bank Manager, Phil Hobbs, Rita Kibble, Leslie Commodore, Alex Rogers

With great relief, we arrived at Barclays Bank, where we were greeted with a very warm welcome.  We had some food and a drink as we were brought up to speed as to what had gone on before. Barclays Digital Eagle, Leslie Commodore presented IT and he was excellent.  We took away a lot of useful information which will surely be helpful to the Arcade business. It was a great evening and we were all very pleased we made it.  Sadly, Adrian is not in the photograph as he was the photographer!