Glimpse history through old images of Newbury in Berkshire, England, UK.
The Berkshire town of Newbury may not be a centre of malting, brick making and tanning leather that it was once famous for, but it is still a thriving town of industry and business.
Newbury is generally seen as a nice place to live and a good place to bring up children. You can find a good job, live in a pleasant community, and enjoy a variety of leisure interests.
Old Photos of Newbury
When David Garside lived in Newbury several decades ago, he took many photos of the area. He’s now digitised them, and made several videos. It’s a great trip down memory lane.
David Garside (YouTube)
David Garside (YouTube)
David Garside (YouTube)
David Garside (YouTube)
David Garside (YouTube)
Training Police Dogs (1938)
Back in 1938, British Pathé filmed trainee police dogs learning their craft in a local field.
Training Dogs For Police Work At Newbury (1938): British Pathé
Newbury Bombed by Luftwaffe (1943)
On the 10 February 1943, Reading and Newbury were attacked by two German Dornier 217 bombers.
Reading and Newbury Bombed by Luftwaffe (1943): BBC Berkshire
Surplus US War Material at Newbury Racecourse (1946)
In 1946, a substantial amount of surplus US war material was handed over to the UK government at Newbury Racecourse under a reciprocal lend lease.
U.S. War Surplus For U.K. (1946): British Pathé
Newbury’s Local Newspaper (1952)
This is a fascinating film showing Newbury’s local newspaper at work in 1952.
It includes:
- The newspaper office
- People walking along the High Street
- The livestock market
- A local wedding
- Local football match
- Small musical performance
- An agricultural show
- Fire engine leaving the Fire Station
- A large building on fire
- The High Street again
- Boy interviewed by policeman
- Magistrates Court
- Local church
- Play rehearsal
- Mayor at a meeting
- Newspaper delivery to homes
- Inside a pub
- A couple at home
Reporting The News In Newbury Berkshire, 1952 – Film 34835: HuntleyFilmArchives
Burys Bank Road (1978)
Back in 1978 David Garside captured this footage onto VHS to test his new camera, which had a separate video recorder. He filmed from inside a van driven by his friend Wigfalls. They travelled along Burys Bank Road.
Newbury. Drive along Burys Bank Rd. Greenham Common. Crookham. About 1978. Wigfalls Van: David Garside
Driving through Washwater to Monks Lane (1985)
In about 1985, David Garside recorded this footage onto VHS tape.
The drive goes through Washwater, past the old Curridge Car Sales, and as far as Monks Lane.
Newbury. Berkshire. Driving through Washwater to Monks Lane. Approx 1985. David Garside
From Andover Road To The Nightingales (1986)
In 1986 David Garside filmed this journey onto a VHS tape. It records the route from Andover Road, along Monks Lane, Pinchington Lane, Greenham Road, and into The Nightingales.
Newbury.Berkshire. Driving Monks Lane, Pinchington Lane. June 1986: David Garside
Newbury Town (1986)
A video of the town in 1986.
Newbury Town 1986: John Rogers
The Ridgeway Run (1986)
Black and white photos taken at a mini classic Bus, Commercial and Military Vehicle Show in the Wharf car park.
Followed by the Ridgeway Run, from Oxford to Newbury, in 1986.
Newbury. Berkshire. Classic Bus, Commercial and Military Vehicle Show. The Ridgeway Run. 1986: David Garside
Market Street Multi Storey Car Park (1986)
This footage was taken from the top of the multi storey car park in Market Street in approximately 1986. It shows the construction of part of the Kennet Centre, and of the surrounding area. Then there’s a final picture of the multi storey car park from the ground.
Newbury Town. 1986. Kennet Centre Construction and Multi Story Car Park. Market Street: David Garside
Driving Through Newbury 1987
Another recording by David Garside, this is the VHS footage of a 1987 drive from Andover Road to the Kennet Centre service yard.
Scenes from 1987 include Andover Road, St Johns Road, Ring Road, Cheap Street, Market Street, ramp up to the Kennet Centre service yard. Gowrings and the Multi Story Car Park seen en route.
“Newbury Town 1987 approx. Berkshire. Driving from Andover Road to Kennet Centre Service Yard.” Uploaded to YouTube by David Garside
Driving Through Newbury 1988
A short video from David Garside showing a little of Cheap Street and the Arthur J Chivers building.
“Newbury Town. May 1988. Cheap Street. Arthur J Chivers. A34. A339. Ring Road.” Uploaded by YouTube by David Garside
Andover Road To The Kennet Centre 1989
David Garside travelled from Newbury to Andover and back on a regular basis from late 1977 to 1996, and filmed some of these trips onto VHS tapes. This drive took place in the dark circa 1989.
“Driving into Newbury from the Andover Road to The Kennet Centre. Approx 1989.” Uploaded by YouTube by David Garside
Bus Station 1989
“NEWBURY BUS STATION MAY 1989”: Uploaded to YouTube by DaveSpencer32
Town Centre Rebuilding 1989
Part of the town centre on 25 July 1989. The Market Street area was being rebuilt, including construction of the new bus station.
“Newbury Town. Market Street, Bus Station and Wharf. Victoria Park. Bee Line Bus.25.07.1989.” Uploaded to YouTube by David Garside
Town Centre, 1992
This footage is of a quick drive through the town centre in 1992. Although it was taken by an inexperienced camera user as John Rogers drove the vehicle, these vintage films are a precious memory of the way things were.
“Newbury Berkshire Town Centre back in 1992”: Uploaded to YouTube by John Rogers
Greenham Common Protest, 1994
Part one of a 2 part documentary from 1994 on the history and future of Greenham Common airfield.
“Greenham Common; Both Sides of the Fence Part 1”: Uploaded to YouTube by fender200
Protests Against The Newbury Bypass, 1996
This is a trailer from a film called “Tales of Resistance – The Battle of the Newbury Bypass”. In 1996, protesters took to the trees to defend nine miles of pristine English countryside from a major road building programme.
“[Trailer] Tales of Resistance – The Battle of the Newbury Bypass”: Uploaded to YouTube on 2 Jul 2015 by Kino Kast
Newbury Town, 1996
“Newbury Town 1996”: Uploaded to YouTube by John Rogers
Newbury Bypass Protests, 1996
Short film about the eviction of tree-top protesters from the then proposed route of the Newbury Bypass in Berkshire, England.
“A Road to Ruin | Newbury Bypass Protests | 1996”: Uploaded to YouTube by Kino Kast
High Street Fire, 2006
A major fire in the high street Sunday morning, 15th October 2006
“Fire in Newbury, Berkshire, UK”: Uploaded to YouTube on 15 October 2006 by endrelundgren
Snow! 2008
Snow on 06 April 2008.
“Snow in Newbury, UK – 2008”: Uploaded to YouTube on 6 April 2008 by Billy T
Royal Visit To Vodafone’s HQ, 2008
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Vodafone’s headquarters in 2008.
“The Queen visits Vodafone”: Uploaded to YouTube on 20 November 2008 by Vodafone Group
Craven Road (2009)
Snow in Craven Road in February 2009
“Snow in Newbury, UK 2009”: Uploaded to YouTube by Billy T
