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Transport history researcher and local author Paul Lacey is well known for his books tracing the history of bus services in Bucks and Berks. His earliest books date from the mid-1980s, and one of his latest is entitled Early Independents of the Henley & Marlow Area. Over half of the copiously illustrated 93 pages deal with the Marlow area. Paul’s book is not just a catalogue of dates and times when independent bus services were operating in Marlow, but includes evocative details of family, local and social history. It is a story of local enterprise beginning over one hundred years ago which affected most people, including our ancestors, in some way. ....
Home ownership was rare in the early 20th century, when 90% of householders were tenants. Housing became a hot topic during the first world war when it was reported that the army had to reject many potential recruits due to poor health caused by insanitary living conditions. Then when the war was over soldiers who had risked their lives for their country would be returning to the same overcrowded and unhealthy accommodation. This would not be “the homes fit for heroes” promised by the government. Living conditions in 1918 Like most towns, High Wycombe had families living in unacceptable conditions. The worst dwellings were in the area to the west of the town centre known as Newlands. This was eventually demolished as part of the government’s slum clearance programme, but not until the 1930s. It.is now the location of the Eden Shopping Mall. ....
The Electroscope The first purpose-built theatre/cinema in High Wycombe was the Electroscope in Oxford Street, opposite Frogmoor. It was opened in 1912, and initially offered a varied programme of live artistes and silent films such as Charlie Chaplin’s ‘’It’s a Dogs Life’’. In 1938 it was converted into a cinema, The Rex, which many older residents of the town will remember. Plans for a New Theatre It was not then until after WW2 that a live theatre showing regular productions throughout the year came to the town. The idea for the theatre was conceived during World War II by four servicemen with a deep-rooted love of the dramatic arts, all of whom served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E.). ....