Wokingham

Wokingham sits on the edge of Windsor Great Forest. Originally settled by the Wocingas, an Anglo-Saxon tribe, the town grew steadily - but its early prosperity was cut short when half of the houses were destroyed during the English Civil War. Wokingham has hosted bull-baiting, highwaymen and a multitude of beer houses. The town's people have played their part in both world wars. Its rich history is interwoven with the history of England: a story of good times and bad, from the Beaker people to the Victorians to the present day. Wokingham is the quintessential English county town.

RICHARD GIBBS spent most of his career working for large multinational companies, but outside of that he is passionate about local history. He has a Master's degree and a PhD. As well as being interested in local history he is an ardent genealogist. He splits his time between writing, long-distance walking and his family and lives in Wokingham.