A trip to Reading to update the PhotoWalk details in
anticipation of next years walks. A few changes in the town since my last visit
but nothing effecting the route itinerary.
Additional information was gathered in Reading Library on a
couple of buildings and a few things found that can be added to further
PhotoWalks. The highlight was getting inside the RC church of St Jame’s, said
to be the first church designed by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin in 1837.
Surprisingly it’s not in a Gothic style but Romanesque,
thought to be because the church is next to the Abbey ruins. The church is in
good condition and has had additions made over time, the interior is simple but
has three interesting original windows in the apse end probably dating from the
1840’s.
The window design may be by AWNP and were made by Thomas
Warrington, closely reproducing the geometric and foliate designs of the
medieval period. Although I’m not too
keen on stained glass from the 1930’s there are a group of small windows in the
Lady Chapel which are quite good depicting the grotto at Lourdes and made by
Clarks of Dublin in 1934.
Walking around Reading town centre and looking at the
buildings above the shop fronts always reveals more of interest which usually
is passed by unnoticed by shoppers. One building well know to locals is
Jacksons Corner, home of Jacksons for 137 years and now about to close. An
important Victorian corner building but not listed and probably will be lost to
redevelopment.
