In May this year Helen Lambert stepped down from the committee of the Caversham and District Residents’ Association after 20 years as Chair. She was immediately elected as President and will remain involved, mainly on heritage projects and planning issues.
THE HERITAGE of the area north of the river is a passion of Helen’s. The start of her tenure as CADRA Chair coincided with the stepping back of a previous generation of local historians. Helen realised that many histories of Reading didn’t include Caversham as it was part of Oxfordshire until 1911.
She threw herself enthusiastically into many heritage projects, often liaising with other local organisations, such as the Friends of Caversham Court Gardens and other residents’ associations. These projects include many which residents can see around the local area; the replica wind vane on Caversham Court Gazebo, the heritage map outside the library, the William Marshal board on Caversham Bridge, and the restored village signs in Caversham and Emmer Green.
Helen’s research to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Caversham’s incorporation into Reading in 2011 unearthed a wealth of information, which was gathered together, originally on a centenary website and more recently on the CADRA website. This research also inspired others to contribute, and Helen is very proud of the heritage sections of the website.
In 2023, Reading Bridge celebrated its centenary and, in 2026, the current Caversham Bridge will be 100. Helen is putting her time post-CADRA chair to good use by developing a talk on these Thames crossing points for Heritage Open Days on 13 September this year, and a leaflet about the history of Caversham Bridge in time for 2026.
How long have you lived in RG4?
Helen originally moved to Reading in 1985 and worked in what is now the Malmaison, at the time the Health Authority HQ. Her daughters were born here, and the family moved away between
1997 and 2001, when her husband’s job took the family to Paris.
Where are your favourite places to eat, drink and shop in our area?
Waitrose for food for the body and Fourbears Books for food for the mind
How do you think we can be eco-friendlier here?
We should make more use of shops like True Food and Nood Stores.
How would you strengthen our sense of community?
Make more use of channels such as Caversham Bridge and CADRA to share information about what is going on.
If you could bring anything here, such as an event, experience or a shop, what would it be?
More spaces, particularly bigger ones, which local organisations could hire to put on events.
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