Coley Park Farm

Coley Park Farm is now a private estate - please respect their privacy

The Vachell family (amongst others) owned large areas of land from at least 1309 onwards. These included Coley, Southcote and Aldworth. Many farms were scattered among the estates. The Coley estates had two main farms, Little Coley Farm and Great Coley Farm - later to become known as Coley Park Farm.

Coley Park Farm - September 27 2005
©Uli Harder

Coley Park Farm was once the location of a grand manor house called Coley House, but commonly known as Vachell House whilst it was owned by the Vachell family. The house was located just to the west of the farm and close to the Holy Brook stream. It was built around c1550-60 by Thomas Vachell (1530-1610).

Some of the outbuildings of that era still survive, namely the round brick dovecote (1553), laundry, coach house and stables (1610), barn (1619) and some cottages. There are two bridges over the Holy Brook which may pre-date these buildings.

Cattle Bridge at Kennet Meadows c1850
Watercolour by Henry Clarke Pidgeon
(Image Copyright Reading Borough Council)

In the early 1800s, Vachell House was replaced by a new house on higher ground built by businessman John McConnell. This house is the mansion we can still see today from Wensley Road. It was named Coley House, but is today commonly referred to as the 'Mansion'. Some materials were salvaged from the old ruined Vachell House to re-use in the new structure. The rest of Vachell House was eventually demolished and leveled. Today, the area is partly covered by allotment gardens. The estates were purchased by John Berkeley Monck in 1810.

Rose Cottage on Yew Lane in 2005

Soon after the new Coley House was built, trees were thickly planted around the farm to hide it from the wonderful views enjoyed from the front of Coley House. Much of the original formal manicured gardens (popular by the mid-sixteenth century) which covered a large area from the farm to where Heron Way is today, were ploughed and levelled, and were replaced by grass covered lawns which bloomed with the colour of buttercups and daisies in early summer. Today, allotments, housing, schools and a church have all but swallowed up this once large area of open space.

Fields of Buttercups and Daises

The allotments are located where the original house and gardens once were. The woods around the farm now sport some sixty foot tall trees and has become dense with undergrowth and woodland plants. The tree-top canopy being a favourite nesting home for the local rooks in spring.

Owner/Managers

By c1910 the farm was being managed by John Bucknell (locally know as Johnny). The estate was still owned by the Monck family.

Mainly run as a dairy farm, some pigs and sheep were later introduced. Produce being sold to neighbouring areas such as Old Coley.

John (Johnny) Bucknell employed many locals on a seasonal basis for potato picking etc. During the 1920's when unemployment was at its peak, it has been noted that John Bucknell turned a blind eye to 'moonlighting' and even let them have time off to sign on the dole.

John Bucknell was very aware of the plight of the poor living in slums in old Coley. His milkman (Mr B. Johnny Billy) used to take his pony and cart, which had two milk churns either side, and go around with the milk and sell it by the pint, as the poor families had no facilities for storing food of any kind. Occasionally Johnny Billy would supply skimmed milk (with the cream removed) and this was sold at a penny a pint.

A highlight of every year was the Christmas Breakfast. This was paid for by John Bucknell and other local businessmen, and held at the local St Saviours Church hall. The lucky families were chosen by ballot held in early December at St Saviours Church. Most of the food was delivered by carts from Bucknell's farm. Children were presented with a bag of fruit, biscuits and sweets on leaving.

In 1937, John Bucknell took possession of the remaining Coley estates, including Coley Mansion which was let to the Ministry of Agriculture around 1945/6.

John Bucknell died in May 1954, but the farm remained with the family. By the 1970's many of the farm's original buildings were not in use and some of the fine farmhouses and stables dating from around 1610 were becoming overgrown and in need of repairs.

After the closure of Coley Park Farm and the later restoration of some remaining farm buildings, the area has become a very exclusive retreat. The lane has been named 'The Old Lane' and where the road forks at the farm, the left lane has been named 'Yew Lane' and the right lane towards the west bridge over the Holy Brook is called 'The Brookmill'. Most of the restored farm buildings and even the two bridges are now Heritage Listed.

Listed Heritage Buildings at Coley Park Farm
Coley Park Farm	East Bridge over Holy Brook		II
Coley Park Farm	West Bridge over Holy Brook		II
Coley Park Farm	Rose Cottage		II
Coley Park Farm	Building to south of Rose Cottage		II
Coley Park Farm	Barn		II
Coley Park Farm	Laundry Cottage and Stable		II
Coley Park Farm	Small Circular Dovecote		II
Coley Park Farm	Bailliff's Cottage		II
Coley Park Farm	Coach House		II
Coley Park Farm	Gardener's Cottage		II
Coley Park Farm	Kitchen Garden Walls		II
Grade II Listings: Important Building of more than special interest

Poachers

Poaching was still around in the first half of the 20th century due to the areas semi-rural position. Coley Park Farm therefore got an unfair share due to the high unemployment and poverty from the nearby areas of Coley. In fact the favourite animal in many a house in Coley was the ferret, which was could catch many a rabbit and occassionaly the prize pheasant. Most of the prominent poachers were known to the community and probably to John Bucknell also.

One reader, Diane Abery writes:
My great grandad, Earnest Gutteridge who lived in Wolseley Street, and who may well be remembered as frequently sitting on the wall of the church (St. Saviours) with a bottle in his hand. He had a son named John who was a local poacher. Now John and maybe with Earnest, guaranteed the family had a piece of meat or fish on the table each week. What was not required at home was offerred for a few bob to other folk (reminds me of 'Greengrass' from the TV series Heartbeat).

Diane goes on to say, that her uncle John Gutteridge was not the brightest of men - but could hold his own. It was told down the family that John had been arrested and was one of the first to jump train, whilst still cuffed and in police custody, when being transported from Reading to Oxford, then went on the run.

Not surprising that later John (and his brother Jim) ended up working for Bucknell's farm and probably better to have the poacher on side, so to speak. During the 1940's and into the 1950's, John delivered the milk in churns from the farm amongst other duties.

(Diane Abery - 9th March 2007)

Memories of the Farm

By Colleen Thatcher (nee Price):

I used to play on and around the bridge over the Holy Brook and also did school holiday work for John Bucknell, picking vegetables etc. on the farm, back in the 1940's. We played a lot in the smaller barn behind the coach house where we 'took in' what we had picked - apart from what found it's way into our saddle bags!

The Dovecote had nesting boxes for over a thousand pairs of doves and used to bear the inscription AD 1553 TV. The ancient clock on the coach house was restored in 1975 by Mr Francis, son of a Coley Park Farm shepherd. The bell in the clock is dated '1681 Thomas Vachell'. It probably isn't working anymore. They turned the chimes down to 'not annoy folk' so I can't hear them anymore from my home. I don't walk down there now the farm and (old) cottages aren't there.

The last in line of the Monck family was a John Berkeley Monck who died in 1834, was the last owner of Coley Park, left all those historic buildings to Bailiff Oram. Oram's daughter's husband Mr Clarke then had the buildings. I don't know who had them after. Mr Batstone lived in Rose Cottage, and I believe Mr Everard looked after the Kitchen Gardens.

I would be very surprised if there weren't ghosts around here. You could always hear and THINK you saw things that weren't there. The kitchen garden (think the walls are still there) was always creepy at twilight and you thought you saw things. The only ghost I heard of though, was about 1960 or so on the big housing estate, pre blocks of flats. Someone moved into a new house over the very end of Wensley Road near the railway. They had (so it was said) the ghost of a cow in their garden AND house. There was talk of exorcism etc. but don't really know any more detail than that. Roundheads and Caveliers were all over the area for the duration of the civil war, so I expect one or two of them are still around. :-)

(Colleen Thatcher - 18th June 2007)

Residents (information from Census Records)

The names and occupations of the former residents of Coley Park have been extracted from the UK Census records for the following years. Some spelling and dates may be incorrect as not all census data has been transcribed correctly or was illegible. The resident's approximate age is shown in brackets. Hopefully the information provided may assist in those researching their family history.

The following lists include the lodges and farm residences. For residents of Coley House please refer to the Coley House page.

1841

Coley Park Lodge Gate
William May (68) - Ag Labourer
Elizabeth May (75) - Wife
Mary Milton? (15)

Coley Park Lodge Gate
Richard Beasley? (75) - Ag Labourer
          
Coley Park Farm House
Daniel Wilshin (40) - Farmer in Charge
Harriet Wilshin (30) - Wife
Harriet Wilshin (4) - Daughter
Mary Wilshin (3) - Daughter
Hannah Wilshin (1) - Daughter

Coley Park Cottages
John Hill (30)
Richard Tothill (35)
James Hayler (35)
Anthony Wellman (30)
George Harper (13)
Jane Milton? (50)
Elizabeth Williams (40)
Eliza Evans (20)
Ellen Hampson (20)
Sarah Harris (20)

1851

Coley Park Lodge Gate 1:
William May (78) - Ag Labourer
Elizabeth May (85) - Housewife

Coley Park Lodge Gate 2:
William Stevens (37) - Ag Labourer
Elizabeth Stevens (36) - Wife
Eliabeth Stevens (11) - Daughter
Mary Anne Stevens (9) - Daughter
William Stevens (6) - Son
Sarah Stevens (4) - Daughter
John Stevens (1) - Son

Coley Park Farm House:
Alexander (Alex) Dickson (43) - Farmer of 250 acres and employing 13 labourers
Eliza Dickson (39) - Wife
Eliza Dickson (13) - Daughter
Clara Dickson (11) - Daughter
Alexander (9) - Son
John Dickson (6) - Son
Mary Anne Morton (73) - Mother in Law
Servants:
Ann Taylor (24) - House Servant
William Bolton (20) - Ag Labourer
Henry Shang? (18) - Ag Labourer
George Aldridge (16?) - Ag Labourer

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Joseph Bolton (30) - Ag Labourer
Elenor Bolton (23) - Wife
Elenor Bolton (2mths) - Daughter

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
William Sandford (58) - Gardener
Sarah Sandford (51) - Wife
Henry Sandford (21) - Son - Ag Labourer
Jane? Sandford (15) - Daughter - Dress Maker
Benjamin Sandford (13) - Son - Ag Labourer
Cornelius Sandford (9) - Son
Emma Sandford (6) - Daughter

Cottage in Coley Park:
William Pinnock (26) - Ag Labourer
Charlotte Pinnock (26) - Wife
Mary Pinnock (11mths) - Daughter

Cottage in Coley Park:
John (Elias) Wheeler (34) - Ag Labourer
Charlotte Wheeler (37) - Wife

1861

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
James Brunsdon (47) - Coachman
Sophia Brunsdon (43) - Wife
Lovena? Brunsdon (14) - Daughter
Louisa Brunsdon (12) - Daughter
Edwin john Brunsdon (8) - Son
Rosalie Brunsdon (5) - Daughter

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
William Stevens (47) - Ag Labourer
Elizabeth Stevens (46) - Wife
Mary A. Stevens (19) - Daughter
William Stevens (16) - Son (Labourer at Biscuit Factory)
John Stevens (11) - Son
Charles Stevens (9) - Son
Martha Stevens (4) - Daughter

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
John Maslin (50) - Gardener
Sarah / Mary Anne? Maslin (41) - Wife
Sarah Maslin (17) - Daughter
Jasper Maslin (14 - Son
Alfred Maslinn (11) - Son
Ellen Maslin (9) - Daughter
Catherine Maslin (5) - Daughter

Coley Park Farm Villa (Bailiffs Cottage):
John Wheeler (45) - Farm Bailiff
Charlotte Wheeler (47) - Wife
Joseph? King (26) - Farm Herdsman
George Eldridge (22) - Ag Labourer
Henry Simmonds (28) - Yardman
John Hancock (17) - Ag Labourer
James Fulker (14) - Farm Boy

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
William Pain (48) - Shepherd
Fanny Pain (45) - Wife
Joseph A. Pain (12) - Son
Mary Pain (10) - Daughter
William Pain (7) - Son
Edwin Pain (6) - Son
Julia Pain (3) - Daughter

Coley Park Cottage:
Charles Marcham (27) - Carter
Ann Marcham (32) - Wife
Charles Marcham (8) - Son
Arthur Marcham (6) - Son
Sarah Marcham (3) - Daughter

1871

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
James Fulker (22) - Ag Labourer
Jane Fulker (21) - Wife
Jesse Fulker (1mth) - Son

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
William Stevens (57) - Ag Labourer
Elizabeth Stevens (56) - Wife
John Stevens (21) - Son - Gentlemans Servant
George Stevens (11) - Son

Coley Park Farm Villa (Bailiffs Cottage):
Elias Wheeler (55) - Farm Bailiff
Charlotte Wheeler (57) - Wife
Alfred Stanley Wheeler (26) - Nephew - Letter Courier for Reading Post Office
Reuben Puffin? (23) - Lodger - Ag Labourer

Coley Park Farm:
George Eldridge (22) - Ag Labourer
Thomas Russell (19) - Ag Labourer

Coley Park Farm:
Alfred Russell (25) - Ag Labourer
Harriet Russell (26) - Wife
James Pebworth (35) - Coachman
Ellen Pebworth (35) - Wife
Lydia Ellen Pebworth (6) - Daughter
Charles Pebworth (26) - Brother - Ship Steward

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
John Maslin (60) - Gardener
Mary Anne Maslin (50) - Wife

Coley Lodge Southeast:
Frederick Surman? (27) - Shepherd
Eliza Surman? (33) - Wife
William Surman? (5) - Son
Henry Mileham (19) - Lodger - Ag Labourer

Coley Lodge:
James Hopkins (30) - Ag Labourer
Jane Hopkins (31) - Wife
Samuel James Hopkins (9) - Son
Mary Anne Hopkins (7) - Daughter
Elizabeth Hopkins (6) - Daughter
Ellen Hopkins (4) - Daughter
Richard Hopkins (1) - Son

1881

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
James Fulker (33) - Ag Labourer
Jane Fulker (31) - Wife
Jesse Fulker (10) - Son
Alfred Fulker (9) - Son
Emily Fulker (7) - Daughter
Harry Fulker (5) - Son
Louisa Fulker (4) - Daughter
Alice Fulker (2) - Daughter
Charlie Fulker (3mths) - Son

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
William Stevens (67) - Labourer at Pottery Works
Elizabeth Stevens (66) - Wife
John Stevens (32) - Son - Letter Courier for Reading Post Office

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
David Lovegrove (40) - Gardener
Emma Lovegrove (38) - Wife
Richard Lovegrove (32) - Brother - Private 80th Regiment

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
John Hodgson (31) - Coachman
Mary Anne Hodgson (22) - Wife
John Hodgson (3) - Son
Thomas H. Hodgson (2) - Son
Mabel A. Hodgson (3mths) - Daughter
George Bryce (17) - Lodger - Groom (Domestic Servant)

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Alfred Russell (36) - General Labourer
Harriet Russell (36) - Wife
Arthur J. Russell (9) - Son
Florence Russell (6) - Daughter
Harriet (Emelia) Russell (4) - Daughter

Coley Park Farm Villa (Bailiffs Cottage):
Elias Wheeler (65) - Farm Bailiff
John Wheeler (62) - Brother - Deputy Farm Bailiff
Jane Wheeler (65) - John's Wife
Daniel Barnard (23) - Ag Labourer
William Knowles (27) - Ag Labourer
Alfred Godwin (18) - Ag Labourer
Frank Cooper (30) - Ag Labourer

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
John Maslin (70) - Gardener
Mary Anne Maslin (60) - Wife

Coley Park Farm Lodge:
James Hopkins (40) - Agricultural Carter
Jane Hopkins (41) - Wife
Samuel James Hopkins (19) - Son - Potter
Ellen Hopkins (14) - Daughter
Richard Hopkins (11) - Son
Robert E. Hopkins (9) - Son
Clara J. Hopkins (8) - Daughter
Emma L. Hopkins (5) - Daughter
George Hopkins (4) - Son
William Hopkins (1) - Son

Coley Park North Lodge:
Walter Batts (27) - Shepherd
Agnes Batts (32) - Wife
Agnes Batts (8) - Daughter
Edith R. Batts (2) - Daughter

Elm Tree Cottage (Southcote Farm Lane on Coley Park side of Railway):
Henry House (21) - Dairyman and Florist
Fanny House (20) - Wife
Fanny E. House (5mths) - Daughter

1891

Coley Rifle Range Cottages:
Henry H. Scarfe (39) - Sargeant Infantry
Caroline E. Scarfe (25) - Wife
Marian Scarfe (4) - Daughter
Alfred Scarfe (2) - Son
Florence Scarfe (1) - Daughter

Coley Rifle Range Cottages - Caravan Lane:
Henry Allen (65) - Horse Dealer
Providence Allen (55) - Wife

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
John French (30) - Gardener
Sarah French (32) - Wife
Bertie French (3) - Son

Coley Park Lodge Gate:
William Stevens (77) - Domestic Servant 'Odd Man'

Coley Park Farm House:
Matthew Cundell (43) - Farmer in Charge
Emma Cundell (nee Willis) (39) - Wife
Francis H. Cundell (13) - Son
Leonard A. Cundell (11) - Son
Charles B. Cundell (10) - Son
Gladys D. Cundell (8) - Daughter
Flora R. Cundell (3) - Daughter
Harriet Willis (63) - Mother-in-Law
Emily Field (25) - Domestic Servant
Annie Keane (16) - Domestic Servant

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Charles Edwards (40) - Ag Cowman
Sarah J. Edwards (39) - Wife
Walter Edwards (13) - Son
Annie L. Edwards (7) - Daughter
Ada D. Edwards (4) - Daughter
Henry J. Edwards (11mths) - Son

Cottage Loft (attached to Edwards Cottage):
Henry Fulker (15) - Ag Cowboy
William Cooling (16) - Ag Cowboy
William Anderson (50) - Ag Cowman
Henry Coxhead (20) - Ag Cowboy

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
Albert James Booker (37) - Gardener
Mary Booker (33) - Wife
Albert J. Booker (11) - Son
Montague W. Booker (10) - Son
Mary Booker (8) - Daughter
Francis V. Booker (6) - Son
Martha L. Booker (4) - Daughter
Percy Booker (1) - Son
Elsie Booker (7mths) - Daughter

Notes:
Christine Southgate writes: In the course of investigating my family history I have discovered that my great grandfather, Albert James Booker, was head gardener at Coley Park Farm in 1891, aged 37. I think he must have been there until he retired, as he was living there in 1901. He had 13 children, one of whom was my grandmother. He was allowed to help himself to the vegetables he grew in the vegetable garden - one of the perks of the job. (Read more of Albert James Booker below...)

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Alfred Russell (44) - General Labourer
Harriet Russell (45) - Wife
Harriet (Emelia) Russell (14) - Daughter
Albert E. Russell (8) - Son

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
William French (36) - Butler
Sarah French (35) - Wife
John W. H. French (5) - Son
Harold French (3) - Son
Fanny French (57) - William's Mother

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Elias Wheeler (75) - Farm Bailiff
Arthur J. Russell (19) - Gardeners Labourer

Coley Park North Lodge:
Walter Batts (39) - Shepherd
Agnes Batts (43) - Wife
Edith R. Batts (12) - Daughter
Arthur S. Batts (9) - Son
Annie E. E. Batts (6) - Daughter

Coley Park North Lodge:
Joseph Shorter (38) - Farm Servant
Sarah Shorter (31) - Wife
Alice S. Shorter (11) - Daughter
Emma Shorter (8) - Daughter
Mary Shorter (6) - Daughter

Elm Tree Cottage (Southcote Farm Lane on Coley Park side of Railway):
William White (23) - Carter
Sarah A. White (29) - Wife

1901

Coley Park Farm House:
Leonard A. Cundell (21) - Farmer in Charge
A. Stacey (38) - Servant
R. Stacey (42) - Porter at Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Factory

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
David W. Marriner (44) - Cattleman on Farm (Cowman)
Mary A. Marriner (43) - Wife
Eliza E. Marriner (21) - Daughter - Domestic Cook
Thomas W. Marriner (19) - Son - Gardener
Mary M. Marriner (13) - Daughter
Gertrude E. Marriner (11) - Daughter
Annie V. Marriner (5) - Grand Daughter
William Tyler (21) - Boarder - Cattleman on Farm

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Alfred Russell (55) - Farm Bailiff
Harriet Russell (56) - Wife
Albert Russell (19) - Son - General Iron Smith

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
William Hunt (58) - Carpenter (widowed)
Olive Hunt (23) - Daughter
Joseph Hunt (18) - Son - Watchmaker's Apprentice

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
William Davis (40) - Coachman
Julia Davis (40) - Wife
Julia Davis (14) - Daughter
Mabel Davis (12) - Daughter
Hilda Davis (7) - Daughter
Ethel Davis (6) - Daughter
Stephen Davis (4) - Son (finally!)

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Alfred Russell (44) - General Labourer

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
Albert James Booker (48) - Head Gardener
Mary Booker (43) - Wife
Albert J. Booker (21) - Son - Gardener
Montague W. Booker (20) - Son - House Painter
Francis V. Booker (16) - Son - Under Gardener
Martha L. Booker (14) - Daughter
Percy Booker (11) - Son
Elsie Booker (10) - Daughter
Herbert J. Osborne Booker (9) - Son
Ella Booker (8) - Daughter
Alice M. Booker (6) - Daughter
Reginald Booker (4) - Son
Alexander Booker (3) - Son
Edith Booker (1) - Daughter

1931

Coley Park Farm House:
John (Johnny) Bucknell (?) - Head Farmer
Annie Bucknell (?) - Wife

Coley Park Farm Cottage:
Mr Oram (?) - Farm Bailiff

1941

Coley Park Farm House:
John (Johnny) Bucknell (?) - Owner Farmer
Annie Bucknell (?) - Wife
John Bucknell (?) - Son

Coley Park Farm Cottage (Homeward Cottage):
William Clarke (?) - Farm Bailiff

Coley Park Farm Cottage (Rose Cottage):
Cecil Battstone

Coley Park Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
Earnest Everard (?) - Head Gardener

1951
(thanks to Colleen Thatcher for this info)

Coley Park Farm House:
John Bucknell (?) - Owner Farmer
Margaret Jane Bucknell (?) - Wife

Coley Park Farm Cottage (Homeward Cottage):
William Clarke (?) - Farm Bailiff
Allt Ward
Mrs Oram
Rt Quinn

Coley Park Farm Cottage (Rose Cottage):
Cecil Battstone

Coley Park Kitchen Garden (Gardener's Cottage):
Ernest Everard (?) - Gardener

1960's

Ernest Roberts - worked as a farmhand in the late 1960's, and used to round up the diary cows twice a day for milking.

The Kitchen Garden and the Gardener's Cottage

Restored in the early 1990s, the Kitchen Garden surrounded by its 10 foot (3 metre) high red brick wall and the Gardener's Cottage in the wall, have survived and are both Heritage Listed. The cottage has a 19th century facade, but the building is much older. The front of the cottage being accessible from inside the walled garden, with the rear facing the Holy Brook on the outside of the wall (but this may have been reversed in the early days). On the right side of the cottage is a wash house.

A very early track used to lead from Reading Town along Pigney Lane, passing the then Little Coley Farm (near St Saviours Church), then up the hill towards the Holy Brook (now St Saviours Road) and follow alongside the stream to Coley Park Farm.

The local housing estate breached the wall in the 1980s and part of Arbour Close now lies inside the walls of the original garden.

Albert James Booker - Head Gardener
by Great Granddaughter Christine Southgate

In the course of investigating my family history I have discovered that my great grandfather, Albert James Booker, was head gardener at Coley Park Farm in 1891, aged 37. I think he must have been there until he retired, as he was living there in 1901. He had 13 children, one of whom was my grandmother. He was allowed to help himself to the vegetables he grew in the vegetable garden - one of the perks of the job.

Albert James Booker began his working life at Ashdown House the home of the Earl of Craven where he is recorded in the 1871 census as living in Ashdown Park Yard, with his uncle William Vockins, who was bailiff/gardener. Albert was 18 years old and also a gardener. By 1891, he is described as a gardener, living in the gardener’s cottage at Coley Park, Reading. (He supervised 9 year-old Arthur Russell, a gardener’s labourer.)

Albert James Booker

At the time of the 1901 census, Albert Booker was designated 'Head Gardener'. Two of his seven sons (he had thirteen children in total) were apparently working with him; Albert Joseph, aged 21, as gardener and Francis Victor, aged 16, as under-gardener. By 1911, when he was aged 56, Albert was employed as a gardener/domestic in Chiswick, London. Neither of his sons continued their employment at Coley Park.

His granddaughter, Lily Philips, wrote:
“A wonderfully healthy setting to bring up children in fields, and beautiful gardens which they viewed from a distance! But were brought up on plenty of fresh vegetables which my grandfather was allowed to take from the gardens. Perhaps one reason why all thirteen lived into adulthood and on into their 50s and 60s, with about half of them 70 years and over. There were various stories of most of them falling into the brook (the 'Holy Brook') which ran through the estate. My mother was saved once by her ample clothes spreading out around her and keeping her afloat. Her brothers ran to tell her father “Tiny’s (her father’s pet name) drowning in the brook!” He was in the 'closet' and came running out without buttoning up his trousers. By the time he arrived on the scene 'Tiny' had been rescued. There was another instance associated with the Brook which she passed on to me. She had been given a dolls basket work pram such as little girls had in those days. She was so thrilled with it. It not being a common occurrence in the Booker family to own such precious toys. She could not find it one day and asked her brothers about it. She was told that it was in the Brook! She never saw it again. How cruel brothers can be sometimes in the name of fun and teasing!”

(Christine Southgate - April 2010)

Farm Snippets

Below are relics from the farm days - if you click on the Milk Can to enlarge it, you will see the inscription of John Bucknell on the lid.

Milk Can and Churn from Bucknell's Farm

The clock on the coach house was restored in 1975 by a Mr Francis, son of a former Coley Park Farm shepherd. The bell located in the tower above the clock was inscribed 1681 Thomas Vachell. However by 2007, the clock is once again in disrepair and was even missing the hands.

Restored c1610 Stable Cottage in 2005 and Yew Lane Cottages & Holy Brook in 2006

VISIT THE GALLERY FOR MORE PHOTOS OF COLEY PARK FARM