Community invited to blue plaque unveiling ceremony for former doctor’s surgery, the first in Thatcham to provide NHS services
Thatcham will unveil its next blue heritage plaque at the end of the month.
The community is invited to witness the unveiling of a new blue plaque at Bradley Moore House, a former doctor’s surgery located at 3 Bath Road.
A ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 22, from 1.30pm in the garden of the house, led by Mayor of Thatcham Suzanne Adamantos.
The unveiling will be followed by refreshments and a short talk by Thatcham historian Nick Young at the town council’s offices in Brownsfield Road.
Dr Young’s talk will focus on the building’s contributions to the town’s medical and social history.
The event is free and open for all and will be livestreamed on the town council’s Facebook page.
Please RSPV for catering purposes to events.officer@thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk
Why was Bradley Moore House significant to the town?
The building was used as a doctor’s surgery from 1909 — and was the first in Thatcham to provide NHS services.
The surgery remained until Dr Bradley-Moore retired in 1977.
But Dr Young says he has found other surgeons who worked at the practice before that.
Robert Skeen, born 1760, was followed by Mr Palmer and Mr Reeves.
John Arrowsmith was a surgeon and medical officer for the district during the first part of the 19th century.
George Watts served the village from 1830 until he died in 1871.
But perhaps the best known are the Irish brothers, Richard and Francis Lyon, who worked as doctors from 1880.
Francis lived at Sydney Lodge, in Station Road, and cared for the wealthy while Richard, who lived in Chapel Street, tended to the poor.
The Thatcham Nursing Society was formed in 1900 to support the doctors, which also covered Crookham, Cold Ash and Bucklebury.
Do you have memories, photos or connections to anyone who visited or worked at the first surgery or the later NHS practice? Please share your stories with mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk
