CHOLSEY Festival this year offered a fascinating look back through history thanks to the rich memories of some of its oldest residents.

The Festival, which began on May 21 and finishes on Sunday, featured Cholsey – The Way it Was, a collection of photographs and memorabilia by the Elderly Reminiscences Group.

Cholsey reaches the grand old age of 1,025 this year, and while the OAPs can’t boast quite so many candles on their birthday cakes, they can tell some fabulous stories about their time living there.

Group member Mrs Jeanne Money, 75, who has lived in the village since she was six, said: “Cholsey has a very rich history thanks to its grand age and we have had some lovely afternoons in the Elderly Reminiscences Group, talking about all the things we have experienced over the years.

“When the organisers of the Cholsey Festival asked us to put together an exhibition we were thrilled.

“As well as our own memories we have discovered some fabulous photographs, over one hundred in total, stretching back over the centuries, and also some fascinating memorabilia with wartime items, such as ration books and identity cards and also old family pictures and even a tin hat worn by one of the men folk.”

Mrs Money said her earliest memory of childhood in Cholsey was her first day at school.

She said: “I remember the teacher, Miss Herman, making me so welcome.

“In fact, she is still remembered with such fondness by so many people, and one of her teaching books is in the exhibition.”

She continued: “Wartime was also memorable, but not in the bad ways it was for most.

“As we were in a quiet village we still had blackouts and rationing, but we also had many shows to keep us entertained and I remember it being quite an exciting time for the children.”

Another of those children was John Money, who would go on to become Jeanne’s husband.

Mr Money, now 85 said: “I was born in the front room of a house opposite the old vicarage and I still pass it most days to ring the bells at St Mary’s Church.

“Cholsey has changed a great deal since I was a lad. Back then it was very small, then, in the 60s we had 300 houses built in under three years.

“The old Fair Mile Hospital, the former Berkshire Asylum, is nearby and was pretty famous in its day, before it was closed and sold off to developers.

“At one point it had 1,600 inmates and Cholsey had 1,600 residents!”

He continued: “I knew of Jeanne, although she was younger than me.

“I think I took her up to the Belfry one day to see the bells – although I don’t think it was that which impressed her into marrying me!”

The couple did marry in St Mary’s, however, and raised their children Richard and Ruth in Cholsey.

Mr Money said: “Being part of the reminiscences group has been a pleasure.

“We meet every couple of months and some of our older members, in their 90s, tell some fascinating tales.

“People love living here and don’t seem to want to leave. I have never felt the need to live anywhere else. Even when I worked in London I commuted to work.”

The exhibition was held last weekend at the Old School in Church Road.

Other festival events have included a vintage car rally, a barn dance and bowls competition.

It will close with an open air church service and family picnic at the recreation ground on Sunday from 11.30am.