West Berkshire Museum focuses on Thatcham in new exhibition

Thatcham, often dubbed as the longest continuously inhabited settlement in the UK, now has its own exhibition.

West Berkshire Museum’s Focus on Thatcham exhibition features a wealth of material from the town through objects from the museum’s own collection.

The exhibition itself, which opened on September 22, was celebrated on October 6 with organisers and volunteers showing off their hard work.

Focus On is a series of exhibitions that celebrate the history of the parishes and towns that make up the entire district.

West Berkshire Museum’s Dawn Sellek said: “We began ‘Focus On’ a few years ago but doing Focus on Thatcham is so important. It is the longest continuously inhabited settlement.

“It has been so interesting and it is the first time that we have filled two galleries. I could have filled the whole museum.”

She thanked all those involved in putting the exhibition together and added: “I could not have done it without the volunteers.

“They worked with me on research, putting the panels together. We have to put all the words together to make them make sense to as many people as possible.

“Without volunteers it would not have been possible.”

Mayor of Thatcham Jeff Brooks attended a viewing of the exhibition and said: “It is wonderful that West Berkshire Museum put this together.

“Thatcham can be considered an underdog but those who live in Thatcham consider it top dog.

“We have the best story to tell.”

Mr Brooks thanked all those involved from local historian Dr Nick Young and the Thatcham Historical Society, to West Berkshire Museum’s Janine Fox and Dawn Sellek.