
Monday, 24 March 2025
C. A. CHEW - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Monday, 10 March 2025
World War 2 Eighty Years On - Planning for the End of the War part 2 - Housing - March 1945
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The Prefabricated Houses in the 1960's |
The acute shortage of accommodation in Eton and Eton Wick caused by the influx of people for war work and those who had sought refuge from the Blitz resulted in overcrowding, for which the council could do little. Building materials were in very short supply and those available were required to replace and repair bomb damaged homes. Among the families living in discomfort in Eton Wick were a husband and wife with their eight year old son living in one bedroom. Other cases reported to the Council, noted the plight of six adults with a child living and sleeping in one room, also a couple expecting their second child living in an upstairs room. One suggestion for relief of the problem was to erect Nissen Huts, this was thought unacceptable. After the war some local families did move into the vacated Army Nissen huts at Dorney Camp although the huts had few facilities. A successful application by the council to the Ministry of Health for twelve `Portal' prefabricated houses was granted providing an electric supply was available to the houses. Early objections by landowners over wayleave and the war had delayed the electric supply for fourteen years but the new housing and public demand achieved authority for the work to be done. The proposal to site the prefabs on the Wheatbutts, debated by the Council, was opposed by the Surveyor. He wished to make Wheatbutts an open space as an amenity for the village and not surrounded by a six foot fence. The use of Wheatbutts for housing was also turned down by the owners, Eton College. Bells Field was then chosen as a suitable site for the twelve `Prefabs'.
Plans to build eighteen houses in the first year after the war and thirty to forty in the second year on Tilston Field also met opposition. The land was owned by Eton College and to purchase it, permission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries had to be obtained. The release of this land was also subject to the terms of the University and College Estate Act of 1925. Local opposition from allotment holders and their representatives who stated that there were ‘model allotments’ on Tilston was of no account. A suggestion to use other available land, such as the Eton or Eton Wick allotments or Lammas land, brought a sharp reply from the Chairman that nobody could build on Lammas land, be it King or Dustman. The meeting was assured that alternative allotment sites would be prepared by the Council but only Tilston was convenient for the maximum use of the main sewage system and the new electricity mains, for which the village had waited many years. Concern was expressed by the Eton Traders over the proposals, they feared a fall in trade as families were moved from the town.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
Monday, 3 March 2025
Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - Eton Church Lads Brigade
This photograph was taken c1928/30. The Eton Company of the Church Lads Brigade is assembled and ready to march off to the High Street to join the long parade of floats, fire brigades, and bands taking part in The Windsor Hospital Parade. The parade was held annually to collect funds for the hospital before the post war days of the N.H.S. The Church Lads Brigade was a fine and disciplined outlet for youths. It is believed that the Eton Company was formed in 1899. Between 1900 and 1902 attempts were made to raise an Eton Wick Company without success.
The Sgt. Major in the photo is Bill Morris. The drummers in the front row are: Ernie Alder, unidentified, Albe Haverly, and Sgt. (?) Alder. The trumpeter is Tom Forman, George Birch has the big drum and the man with the medals is Fred Bosher.
This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.
Monday, 17 February 2025
World War 2 Eighty Years On - Planning for the End of the War part 1 - Public Transport - February 1945
The hard fought battles of 1944 had brought a foreseeable end to the war in Europe. A public meeting, held at Eton, discussed plans for the welcome home of service men and women of the village and Eton. A Committee was formed to arrange for fund raising events which commenced with a dance at Eton School Hall. With a public collection at Eton Wick, a donation of £75 from Eton U.D.C. and other activities funds were quickly raised for the `Welcome Home' entertainment. To mark the occasion, a gift was proposed and this took the form of a cigarette box suitably inscribed. Some of these mementoes were made by Mr Plunkett, a local cabinet maker.
With an allocation of extra fuel by the Ministry of Power, the introduction of a new timetable for the Blue Bus service became possible. This gave a more frequent service from Dorney through Eton Wick to Windsor but still no bus after 9pm. A request from village residents for a 10 p.m. bus from Windsor had the support of the Council but many weeks were to elapse after V.E. Day celebrations before the Traffic Commissioners gave their permission for a later bus.
This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.
Monday, 10 February 2025
Eton Wick History Group Talk - The Purfumo Affair with Nigel Smale - 19th February 2025
This the first talk of the History Group's 2025 series of five. The talks schedule can be found by clicking on this link along with a list of all the talks since the foundation of the Group in 1992.
Monday, 13 January 2025
Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life -Eton Wick Athletics 1952
The Eton Wick Minors F.C. changed its name to Eton Wick Athletic when it formed a senior team from former players in 1949/50. In 1952 the two village clubs Eton Wick United and Eton Wick Athletic amalgamated, becoming the Eton Wick F.C. Success was instant and the merged club won the much coveted Slough Town Senior Cup for the first time. They have won the cup again a number of times since.
Captain Jack Ling is holding the cup aloft in this photograph. The team is, from left to right: 'Tich' Keen, John Batt, Mick Sibley, 'Roily' Woodley, John Grant, Jack Ling, Ron Carter, John Sheehan, Alf Vickers and Ron Pitcher.
This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Programme of talks for 2025:
Programme of talks for 2025:
The programme is subject to change.
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John Purfumo |
19th February - The Purfumo Affair with Nigel Smale
9th April - The Myths and Legends of Swans with Daniel Keel
28th May - The History oof the Basingstoke Canal and Canel Boats with Roger Cansdale
30th July - Subject To be Confirmed - This meeting will be our Summer party
29th October - George Pocock Boat Builder of Eton with Tom Wigley
Entrance fee is £4 per person for each talk which includes light refreshment.