In 1963, Wokingham Theatre put on a production of Dick Whittington. Several costume designs were created in preparation for the performance, including this one of the eponymous character’s costume.

The vivid colours and bold lines make this an attractive item. Viewed with the photograph of the production, it enables a researcher to see how the design changed with time and what elements of the original concept were retained. The design has a sheet of tracing paper over the top with annotations about materials and extra details. It is clear just how much thought and planning went into the costumes.

'These costume designs are so bright and colourful that they’re really pleasing to the eye. Looking at them you can’t help but raise a smile.'

This article comes from the December 1951 issue of Farmer and Stock-Breeder.

Dorothy Wise (née Marsh) was born in Holyhead, Anglesey in 1918 and married Henry Frederick (Jim) Wise on 5 June 1940 at St Mary’s Church, Witney. They lived and worked at farms in Wokefield and later in Oxfordshire. They had three children: Mark, Patrick, and Sarah.

In the article, Dorothy writes about Sarah’s game called ‘Alice’. In the game, Sarah visits the family home, as ‘Alice’, who is a strong-willed character. Dorothy writes about the conversations she had with Alice.

‘I came across the article whilst cataloguing the records of the Wise family. It gave me a closer insight into the family that I’ve spent so much working time with. Sarah’s witty comebacks as ‘Alice’ made me smile - especially the comment about all the snow in Africa. The imagination of a 3-year-old!'  

- Imogen Delaney, Archivist

This long list of plants is included in an agreement between Sir William Trumbull and John Hurst, a gardener from Brentford. Hurst had contracted to plant and maintain the large gardens at Easthampstead for three years.

Over 300 plants are listed that Hurst would supply. His work included an orchard of fruit trees such as peaches, cherries, and pears, and a flower garden of laburnums, honeysuckles, and roses.

‘I’m a keen gardener and wonder how John Hurst obtained so many plants. Did he have to grow them? Even a modern garden centre would not stock such variety and quantity.

- Alison Day, Archives Assistant

The Dodeka club was formed in 1892 by the younger male members of Trinity Congregational Church in Shinfield. Its name reflected a membership of twelve. Although a book club by name, its monthly meetings generally involved having a meal and talk on a subject of interest.

This page shows an illustrated account of the Club’s 266^th meeting on 4 June 1915. It recalls an eventful drive from Reading to the Wellington Hotel, Sandhurst, a large meal (with plenty to drink) and the journey back again.

‘I had the pleasure of cataloguing this collection. It’s very rare to find minutes that are enjoyable to read and often witty. They provide a fascinating insight into the lives of a closeknit group of middle-class men and the changes they witnessed over more than one century. This meeting is particularly interesting as it portrays a group of men enjoying themselves despite the turmoil of the First World War. It’s a side of the war years that is often overlooked.’

- Ellie Thorne, Senior Archivist 

This promotional brochure is part of the Samuel Elliott and Sons Ltd collection and contains images of jobs undertaken by Elliotts’ of Reading, a joinery business that began in Caversham in 1902. Its founder, Samuel Elliott previously had a company in Newbury.

Elliotts was a world-renowned company that undertook many prestigious woodwork projects, including cathedral, town hall and court commissions as well as fitting out the QE2. Among the images are some of outfitting the old Co-op store in Reading. The store would later become a British Home Stores, then a Primark.

‘I love the vibrant colours. It’s very 1970s with all the wigs and the mannequin heads with their very long necks! The whole cover makes me smile and I feel happy when I look at it. The images also remind me of the ‘Are You Being Served?’ comedy which made me laugh.’

- Ivone Turnbull, Senior Archivist 

The souvenir album was presented to Mrs Sarah Georgina Attwells, former mayoress of Reading, in commemoration of the Children's Carnival and Fancy Dress Ball given by her and her late husband at Reading Town Hall on 6 January 1892. It includes photographs of the children who attended in their fancy dress.

The album is very large, and this is a copy of one of the photographs. The photograph shows six-year-old Gladys Simonds, of the Simonds banking family of Reading, who dressed up as a water baby.

‘I am fascinated by photographs of people because they capture a moment in time yet still leave something to the imagination. That is why this album is my favourite document from our collections. It is full of unique photographs of children who attended the Fancy Dress Ball. It must have been such a happy and thrilling occasion for every one of them.’

- Ruth King, Archives Assistant 

Take a deeper look on YouTube at Ruth's favourite item, a Souvenir album presented to Mrs Frank Attwells, former mayoress of Reading, ref. D/EX1792/1.