Shop History

  

Reading Mercury February 21st 1891
Highway Improvement at Twyford
 
The inhabitants of Twyford and those using the Great Western Railway station are to be congratulated on the public improvement just completed by the removal of the corner at the four cross-roads, so long a source of danger to passengers on foot and in vehicles.
 
Last October, Mr Norman, corn and seed merchant, being about to re-build his premises, the occasion was taken advantage of (through the exertions of Mr Verey and Mr Walters Bond) to arrange with Mr Norman to have the building set back some six to seven feet, and a circular front put in place of the projecting corner, so as to allow persons driving from the station in the direction of Reading or Wargrave to see each other in time to avoid a collision.
 
Time not allowing of an application to the County Council for compensation (as the building was already commenced), the matter was mentioned to gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who most handsomely responded and the sum of £165 was promptly subscribed, and has been handed to Mr Norman.
 
The largest contributors were Mr F Walters-Bond (Wargrave) £60, the Rev. Golding-Palmer (Sonning) £20 and Mr H.W. Verey (Bridge House, Twyford) £20.
 
There is also another much needed improvement close by viz the widening of the narrow neck of the road to Wargrave, which is totally unfit for the  large amount of traffic to and from the Station, and most dangerous for foot passengers.
 
 

photo supplied by the Twyford History Society

In 1890, when his new shop was built at the corner of the High Street, William Norman moved in, still keeping his yard and stables in Church Street, and remained in the new building for nine years untill 1899, when in ill health, he left Twyford for Weston-Super-Mare. The business then took on a new owner when George Talbot, another coal, corn and hay merchant, also took on the small yard with stabling in Church Street. Over the years, this company became a major coal merchant in the village and kept the shop and yard for nearly fifty years.

The shop was given a new look when Christopher H.Patrick, a Pharmacist took the premises. In 1947, after the dull war years, the corner was given a whole new look which transformed the cross-road area with a modern brightly lit premises which brought new life into the centre of the village. After Christopher Patrick retired, the shop was taken by another chemist Savoury & Moore, before becoming an antique centre followed by a Travel Agent. On February 1st  2010 Twyford Lighting moved from their shop in Station Road to their new home at 1 High Street.

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In addition to the diverse range of lights we have on display in our showroom we have a wide range of catalogues available for you to look through to find your perfect light.