Reading BID present local ladies with historical photo

24th September 2024

After installing artwork panels on Union Street earlier in 2024, Reading BID were contacted by two local ladies who noticed their late mum and sister in one of the photographs.

The artwork, which was installed by Reading BID to surround the building on Union Street (affectionately known as 'Smelly Alley' locally), depicted a series of historical images of the alley, using the photo archive held and managed by Reading Library.  With their help Reading BID identified a handful of historic photos showing Union Street through the ages, highlighting how its use has changed over the years. 

The selection of photos included an image taken in 1987 showing people, possibly at a butchers, doing their grocery shopping in Union Street.  A few weeks after the installation of the panels, Reading BID were contacted by Mrs Denise Phillips and her sister, Mrs Marion Hodges, who had recognised their late Mum and sister in one of the photos. Delighted to have seen this photograph used, they asked for a copy for themselves. 

Together with Reading Libraries and Museum Manager, Simon Smith, and Local Studies Lead, Katie Amos, Reading BID were delighted to meet both ladies and present them with framed copies of the image in September 2024.  They were delighted and looked forward to showing all the friends and relatives, and thanked everyone involved.

Thanks go Katie Amos for sourcing these wonderful images - visit the Reading Photo Library if you'd like to view the collection or do your own search for historical scenes in Reading.  Thanks also go to Reading’s family-owned framers, Keeleys Framing (Kings Road), for doing such a wonderful job with the frames.

Find out more about Reading BID and how it supports Reading town centre.