Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - Eton Wick Cricket Club

The Cricket Club was founded c1889 and played in its early seasons on the Great Common. After the 1914/18 War, home fixtures were played on Saddocks Farm, where rural outfield attracted several regular visiting teams. 

Winning Club Team of 1931

The photograph was taken on the occasion of the Club winning the District Cup in 1931 In the back row: Norman Lane, Harry Cook, John Lane, unidentified, Ted Moss. 

Centre row: unidentified, Ern Bryant, Sid Harman, (?) Percy, Arch Bryant, Fred Hammerton, Jack Stacey, Frank Lane, Hugh Haverly, and umpire Mr Henry. 

In the front: the first two on the left are unidentified, Tich Prior, Bill Moss, Edwin Buckland, Ted Morris and resident farmer, Arthur Tarrant. Saddocks Farm House is in the background. 

Leading the team in is Doug Tarrant, in sequence behind him are his brother Reg (sons Arthur), George Lewis (Clerk to Eton Town Council), Doug Slade, Jack Stacey, Stan Allaway, Stan Hewett, Ian Lewis (George's son) and Bert Prior. The photograph was taken in the mid-1950s; the club closed down in the 1960s. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

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.

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.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life -Eton Wick Minors FC 1948

 

The Minors were formed in 1946 following the end of the War, when Harry Wakefield and Doug Cooper formed an Under 18's village football club. They played their home games in Eton Recreation Ground. Sports kit was still virtually unobtainable due to wartime clothing rationing, so the boys played in any light coloured/near to white shirt, and Mrs Bill Sibley (mother of two of the team) made black shorts for the team from off-coupon wartime blackout material. Village colours were traditionally amber and black, but here was born the origin of black and white for the boys team. 

In 1948 the team were able to have this photo taken in newly bought kit. They are, in the back row: Doug Cooper, Frank Bond (committee), Jim McDougall, Alan Herd, Ray Haverly, Tony Rodwell, Harry Wakefield and Cecil Thorn (committee). 

In the centre row: Ray Knight, John Grant, John Batt (captain), Dennis Phillips and John Knott. 

Bob Horton and John Newport are in the front row. 

John Grant went on to play in senior league football. In later life he opened bakers shops in Windsor and Eton Wick. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - Eton Victoria F.C. ('Eton Vics') 1933

 

This well known local football club played their home games on Eton Recreation Ground. In the back row from the left: Bert Cox, Ted Smith, Bill Swain, Bob Quayle, Alf Young, and Alf Flint. In the centre row: Tom Hart, Alf Haskins, Les Hall, Les Balchin, Bill Weymouth, George Birch, Harry Bampton, Stan Cutts and Doug Martin. The front row: Bill Folker, Ernie Alder, Gordon Cox, Jim Middleton, Ron Cox, Ron Martin and Albe Alder. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - Eton Wick EC 1929

When the club was formed in 1881, home matches were played on Dorney Common, much later moving to their present home on Eton Wick Recreation Ground. 

This photo of 1929 shows the team at the front of the Village Institute (now Village Hall) long before the entrance stairs to the upper floor were covered. 

In the back row, left to right: Jess Binfield (committee member), Bert Percy, Tim Morrell, Bob Bond, Les Binfield, Archie Bryant, Bert Harman, unidentified, Ern Bryant. 

In the front row: M Porter (committee member) George Giles, Ted Watson, Bill Swabey (captain), Maurice Lane, (?) Prior, Tom Morrell. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - The Shoestrings

The 'Shoestrings' The Eton Wick Variety Group were reformed in 1962 as the 'Shoestrings' to raise funds for the Village Hall extension. They staged variety shows annually until 1971, some of them skits on contemporary T.V. shows, including 'That Was the Wick That Was’, 'Christmas Crackers' (1964), 'Licence to Laugh' (1965), 'Through the Rainbow' (in 19n-with ex Victoria Palace Black and White Minstrels Penny Rigden and Alan Hollidge 'Summer Interlude' (1967), 'It's here' (1970) and finally 'Starella Fantasy' in 1971. 

The group performed in many venues. Comedy sketches were written by Albert Bond, Sid Eyre and Sid Gomm. 

In this picture from 'Through the Rainbow' in 1966 are, back row, left to right: Kay Thompson, Sandra Ling, Rene Thompson, Sandra Wells, Jacquie Tickle (daughter of Francis in the photo of the Eton Wick Unity Players), and Caryl Cullum. In the middle are Jane Harper and Gail Groves. In the front: Susan Bond, Leslie Chadd, Jillian Bowyer and Denise Fogarty. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Wick 'Unity Players'

The photograph was taken at the finale of the 'Unity Players' first pantomime in 1948, 'Alladin'. The Players went on to produce 'Cinderella' (1950), 'Dick Whittington' (1951) and 'Spring Parade' (1950 and 1951). 

The shows were written by Fred Wiggett and Tommy Neighbour. As was the case in those somewhat austere post war years, the local communities, boosted by their restless ex-service personnel put a great deal of effort into raising funds for improving local amenities such as schools, and leisure facilities for both adults and youth, and had fun in the process. 

The proceeds of the 'Unity Players' sell out productions went to the purchase of new kit for the Football Club. 

Those identified in the photograph are: Fred Wiggett (with the boater on the right), Tommy Neighbour (half concealed, 4th from the right), John Cox (5th from the right), Zena Hunt (7th from right), Eva Bond (with bouquet), Francis Alder (left of Eva), and Joan Neighbour (5th from left). 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Empire Day, possibly.

 

This interesting old photograph is a mystery, leaving much to be guessed at. It is possibly an Empire Day gathering, some time between 1906 and 1910. The location, with the railway viaduct in the background is certainly at, or near to the south side of Eton Recreation Ground. The new Recreation Ground at that time would probably not have had the benefit of hedges, as it was all formerly Lammas land. 

The assembly of presumably Eton Porny school children and absence of uniformed boy scouts suggests it predates the Scout movement of 1908 (or 1910, if the formation of the Eton troop is allowed for). The flags, adults and speaker leads one to believe it was an Empire Day Assembly, a national celebration day inaugurated in 1902, May 24th to commemorate the birthday of the late Queen Victoria. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Women's Fellowship

The Eton Women's Fellowship was founded in 1963 after the Mothers' Union disbanded. It meets weekly at the Eton Church Hall and as well as Eton residents, attracts members from Eton Wick, Windsor and Slough. Social events include talks, quizzes, outings and parties. This is a photograph taken at their Easter Bonnet Competition in 1998. 

Standing left to right are: Mrs Day, Mrs Weeks, Mrs Mummery, Mrs Bell, Mrs Brades, Mrs Bolton, unidentified, Miss Hill, Mrs Batt, Mrs E. Edwards, Mrs Cook, unidentified, Mrs Leary, Mrs Butler, Mrs Pratt. 

Those seated are: Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Pidgeon and Mrs Golding.

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The Choir of St John the Evangelist Church, Eton

 

Eton and Eton Wick had choirs until the 1970s. This is Eton's large and enthusiastic choir of 1966/7, pictured in front of St John the Evangelist, Eton, at that time the Parish Church.

In the back row (adults): W Stickley, R Boxall, D Pidgeon, A Welsh, P I F Bowyer, R Pike, J Stacey, S Fairbain, M Newland, L Pike, E Gater, C Blake, and the Choirmaster/Organist.

In the middle row (Boys): S Amor, R Hillyer, K Pallett, (?) Middlemas, the Rev. David A N Evans, P Angell, S Maw, (?) Maw, P Burt, W Pike

Front row: N Fairburn, (?) Middlemas, (?) Maw.

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Parish Church Fete

 

This photograph is believed to be the 'celebrity' opening of the summer c1974 Fete, by the Emperor 'Iedo Kung Fu' and his entourage. From the left are: the Rev. Christopher Johnson, Rita Pidgeon, Lesley Ballard, Celia Russell and George Paget. George was a very well known character, often to be seen with his carriage and horses taking tourists and bridal parties to their destinations (and the odd appearance in 1960s cinema films). 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The Eton Players

The Eton Players drama group was formed in the 1960s by Mrs Alice Burrow. The group presented a number of plays, performed in the Eton Church Hall and the Parish Church. Most of the costumes were designed and assembled by Mrs Peggy Payne of Eton High Street and local jumble sales provided the materials. 

In the photograph, from left to right are: Pauline Evans (wife of David A N Evans, Vicar of Eton), Sylvia Collier, Brenda Herriot (wife of the Headmaster of Porny School), Ivy Bowyer, Mary Pyke, Rita Pidgeon and Barbara Herriot. The play was 'The Six Wives of Calais'. Eton Parish Church Fete.

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The Eton Wick Methodist Sisterhood

This photograph was taken c1960. Back row (heads only visible): Mrs Slaymaker, Mrs Gardner, Miss Majorie Morris, Mrs Lily Jacobs (probably) Third row: Mrs Sophie Chamberlain, Mrs Jacobs, Miss Mary Ayres, Mrs Brown, unidentified Second row: Mrs Harris, Mrs Woodley, Mrs Paice, unidentified. The child is believed to be A. Higgins, grandson of Mrs Woodley. Front row: Mrs G Kelly, Mrs Dobson. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Wick and Boveney Women's Institute

The Eton Wick and Boveney Women's Institute was founded in December 1933, due largely, like many other village organisations, to the influence of Edward Littleton Vaughan. His wife Dorothea was the Institute's first President. The Women's Institute is a national educational charity and Mr Vaughan was an enthusiastic supporter of education for the working class.

Through the years Eton Wick and Boveney W.I. has gained a high reputation for its friendliness and standard of work in the many County and National competitions and events in which it has taken part. The Institute has made its voice heard on many local issues including the closure of Windsor Bridge, the proposed closure of the Library and, most recently, the construction of the Thames Flood Alleviation Channel. 

The Institute hosts events, both informative and purely entertaining for its members. To mark its 50th and 60th anniversaries in 1983 and 1993, Art and Craft exhibitions, open to all the village were organised. In 1983 members produced a Pictorial History of the village. The original is held in Eton College and a reference copy is available in Eton Wick Library. 

Photograph taken on the Institute's 40th Anniversary party in 1973. 

In the back row left to right: Unidentified, Mrs Greenwold, Mrs Paintin, Mrs Swatton, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Wyeth. 

Third row (standing behind table): Mrs Durbin (later Leary), Mrs Crook, Mrs Flint, Mrs Butler, Mrs Attride, Mrs Day, Mrs Tatham, Mrs Hessey, Mrs Harding, Mrs Ballhatchet (President), Mrs Kinross, Mrs Neate, Mrs Lund, Mrs Sharrat, Mrs Wilson, Mrs Joan Bond and Mrs Charlton (later Moss). 

Second row (either side of table): Mrs Millis, Mrs Elsie Bond, Mrs Friend, Mrs Jacobs (Past President), Mrs Borrett, Miss Bannister, Mrs Beckett, Mrs Jones and Mrs Ash. Front row (seated): Mrs Cutler, Nurse Lee, Mrs Wickens (Past President), Mrs Hartley (Past President), Mrs Pat James and Mrs Cooley. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Girl Guides Camp

The summer camp was run by Mrs Grizel Hartley, wife of Eton College master, with Miss Margery Mead. Photo taken about 1937. Left to right: Betty Devonshire, Betty Morris, Hilda Irvin, Edith Weeks, Gwen Allen (on running board), three unknowns, Winnie Thorn, Lilian Branwhite, Eileen Horsgood, Everlyn Irvin and Jean Morris. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Eton Wick Cycling Friends

Photograph taken c1900. Left to right: Nobby Talbot, Edward Hammerton, George Kirby, Arthur Woolhouse, Alf Miles and Jack White. The photograph was taken in Burnham Beeches. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The Horticultural Society

 

The Eton Wick Horticultural Society's float c1931, decorated with donated produce and about to leave Common Road to join the procession of the decorated floats, Fire Brigade, musicians, etc. taking part in the King Edward VII Hospital Parade. The route took the procession to Slough, Eton, up Thames Street hill and on to the Hospital. The horse and cart was traditionally supplied by Bert Bond, the village greengrocer. Parades ceased after WW2 when the National Health Service funded the hospitals.

On the float is Ted Bond. Standing, left to right are, Mr Benham, George Paget, Bert Bond, <r Hemmings (Secretary), Joe Clarke, Hugh Haverly, Ern Woodhouse, Bert Benham (not believed to be related to the Benham on the left) and Harry Young.

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - The End of Arnolds and Bonds shop.

The Bonds hand over their family greengrocery business and retire after trading in the village for over 90 years. The photograph shows Bob McGrath (on the left) taking over the business from Frank Bond on July 4th, 1988. Next to Frank is his sister Edith Stacey and Joan, widow of brother Albert Bond, who died in 1986. Joan ran the Bond's Eton shop. Bob McGrath formerly managed a Burnham supermarket. 

Roy and Joan Arnold retired in 1998 from their Butchers shop opened in 1951 by Roy's father Ted in the then newly built parade of shops. With Roy and Joan is daughter Julie. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Shakespere Stores

 

Shakespeare Stores, Alma Road
Fred and Olive Willsher
outside their shop in 1939

Olive ran the shop; Fred was a musician on a liner. In its early days the shop was in the hands of Charles Ayres; the Willshers took the shop on from Lucy and Jess Binfield in the mid-1930s and handed over to Mr and Mrs Gerry Chinnery in the mid 1940s. Note the pre-war style advertising plates on the shed door. The last business use before becoming a domestic residence was by Harry Cook, Builder/Jobber. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.