Prior to the advent of buses, there was a different mode of transport. A group of innovative local businessmen launched a horse bus service, which, though rudimentary, marked the town’s first foray into public transportation. Then in 1878 the Reading Tramways Company was established. This provided what we would now call an urban mass transit system, better known as the tramway. This talk will explore the origins of the company and the tram routes it established. You will learn about the routes’ locations and their role in offering a novel and affordable means of transportation in Reading, transforming the lives of its residents. The talk will also delve into the connection between the Reading Tramways Company and the Wantage Tramway, which was, in fact, a light railway.
After the talk, tea/coffee and cake will be available (included in the price). Pre-booking is preferred, but you can pay on the door, if there are spaces available.
Image: RCT1 – Walton Adams 1903, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
2 - 3.30pm
About Berkshire Family History Society
This talk is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390.
Looking for something to do, rather than something to see? We've got all manner of classes and workshops, plus games, escape rooms and other interactive activities. There's something for everyone, from dance, to arts and crafts, to food and drink and the odd bit of geekery, too!
