Parish records discovered

It is remarkable that older parish records are still being discovered, and we were delighted to take in a volume of overseers' accounts, 1831-1847, from the parish of Harwell (D/P65). The accounts are detailed until May 1835, with names of recipients. The book also includes vestry minutes, 1833, 1835 and 1847-1894; and even the minutes of the first civil Annual Parish Meeting in 1895.  

A substantial deposit from Kintbury, 1753-2022, includes records for St Mary’s and Christ Church Schools in the parish (D/P78). Excitingly it also includes the parish copies of the tithe map and award, hitherto feared lost, but unfortunately in very poor condition. Also of special interest are papers relating to the Sir Gordon Richards Memorial Bell Appeal. Sir Gordon Richards (1904-1994) was a celebrated jockey between 1935 and 1954 whose wins included the 1953 Derby, and later a well known racehorse trainer. He spent his last years in Kintbury, where he attended St Mary's Church where his funeral was also held. In 1995 a bell was added to the ring in the church tower in his memory. This file is not likely to be available for research for some time as it includes details of contributions made by members of the Royal Family which must be kept confidential.  

Gone over to the Methodists 

British Summer Time applied throughout the year between 27 October 1968 and 31 October 1971. A 1969 letter to John Astor, MP, followed a discussion in the church’s Men’s Fellowship on state interference in private lives. This states that 'the question was raised, Why, in this country, is a referendum never taken, when controversial measures are passed by the government who have received no clear mandate for such measures', with reference to this controversial matter, ‘when it had been made clear that opinion, especially in the North, was against it'. No holds were barred in this group: in 1972 they noted that 'some people in Kintbury have gone over to the Methodists because they are made so welcome there'. 

Helicopter to the rescue

Newly deposited records from Wallingford St Mary reveal that in 1992 the church had to get help from the Royal Air Force Joint Air Transport Establishment from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, in order to remove dangerous fibreglass pinnacles from the top of the tower by helicopter (D/P138). Other additions have also been made to the parish records for Arborfield, 1833-1980s (D/P6); Beech Hill, 1867-2019 (D/P121); Cholsey, 1980s-2017 (D/P38); Easthampstead, 1917-1918 (D/P49); Maidenhead St Mark, 2023 (D/P184B); Reading St Laurence, 1987-2003 (D/P97); Tilehurst St Mary Magdalen, 1924-2018 (D/P132E); and Woolhampton, 2014-2024 (D/P156). We have also received the Waltham St Lawrence parish magazines, 1943-1974 (D/EX3026). 

The papers of local historian Albert Mars of Theale relate to his research into Holy Trinity Church and include photographs, printed miscellanea, notes and copies, from the 19th century to 2009 (D/EX2373).

New for family history 

In recent months we have received the following parish registers: 

• Enborne: marriages, 1974-2010 (D/P51) 
• Beech Hill: marriages, 2004-2019 (D/P121) 
• Calcot: banns, 1989-2003 (D/P188) 
• Farley Hill (a chapelry in Swallowfield parish): baptisms, 1892-2010 (D/P129) 
• Swallowfield: marriages, 2004-2019 (D/P129) 
• Wallingford St Leonard: marriages, 1975-2021 (D/P137)  
• Wallingford St Mary: marriages, 1977-2020 (D/P138) 

We have also received a number of registers from local Methodist churches, some going back to the 19th century: 

• Newbury and Hungerford Methodist Circuit: baptisms in Brightwalton, Leckhampstead Thicket, and Burghclere (Hampshire), 1968-1996 (D/MC13) 
• Elm Park Hall, Reading: baptisms, 1933-1961 (D/MS56) 
• Emmanuel Methodist Church, Reading: marriages, 2007-2019 (D/MS57) 
• Friar Street Primitive Methodist Church, Reading: baptisms, 1880-1958 (D/MS58) 
• Oxford Road Wesleyan Methodist Church, Reading: marriages, 1895-1995 (D/MS1) 
• West Reading Methodist Church: baptisms, 1942-1996 (D/MS61 and D/MS62) 

Other nonconformist records

We have received other records from Burghfield Common Methodist Church, 1937-2008 (D/MS26); Wesley Methodist Church in Reading, 1970s-2023 (D/MS60): Tadley Common Methodist Church in Hampshire, 1982-2006 (D/MS98). We have also received additional records from Thatcham Congregational (later United Reformed) Church, 1922-2023 (D/N37). 

You can find out more about all these records by searching the RBA online catalogue. Enter the collection reference given above in the Catalogue Reference field.