Thatcham Heritage Working Party calling for stories about town’s first doctor’s surgery

Thatcham Town Council’s Heritage Working Party (HWP) is seeking testimonies as part of a new heritage project.

The building that now houses Cedar Dental Care, located at Bradley Moore House, Bath Road, was erected in 1744.

It was a doctor’s surgery from 1909 — and the first in Thatcham to offer NHS services.

Members of the HWP are keen to hear from anyone with any photos, memories or relatives who worked or attended either the first surgery or the later NHS practice.

Sue Ellis, of the Thatcham Historical Society, has traced the story of one of the original doctors at The Cedars.

Thomas Martin, born in 1873, married Olive Mary Vardon (1888-1968) in Epsom in 1910.

Dr Martin became the medical officer for the district around 1900, which included the workhouse and Sandleford Hospital, added fellow Thatcham historian, Nick Young.

In 1909 or 1910, Dr Martin moved into The Poplars.

Dr Young said this is the first record he has found connecting The Poplars to a doctor's surgery or residence.

Dr Martin died on October 4, 1962, at Tenterden, Kent, where he had been the mayor from 1932-33.

He was succeeded at the practice by Peter Warwick Ransom, who left around 1946.

James Beagley was already working there and continued to do so until the 1950s.

He was joined by Dr Bradley-Moore and later Dr Walker and David Holland.

But Dr Holland died by suicide in 1975.

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 two 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.

To support the doctors, the Thatcham Nursing Society was formed in 1900 and also covered Crookham, Cold Ash and Bucklebury.

Please contact enquiries@thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk to share your story.