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Summary
Earliest information: 1744
Original estate: Priory of St. John
Common Rights? Yes
Date of current building: 18th
century
Grade II Listed
Thumbnail History
All the properties on the "island" [1-7 Bridge Street] stand on land that was previously the Priory of St. John the Baptist, which had been established in 1232, and was dissolved
by Henry VIII in 1547. In 1740 a new road incorporating two bridges was built for easier access to town from Charnham Street, replacing old road in front of Riverside House and through the ford across
the River Dun (by Forge Cottage).
Dendrochronological investigation on this property was carried out in May 2010 by Tree-Ring Services.
Four samples were taken from remnant timbers located within 2 Bridge Street. One sample provided a useful 149-year series which is dated to span 1384 to 1532 and this timber produces a felling date range
of 1534-1557. It would be unwise to assign a construction date for this building on this single spot date without additional evidence. This timber dating may represent a felling for building construction
around the dissolution of the Priory.
Quit rent 4d.
Pike -> ?Viner -> Gibbs / Matthews -> Dismore -> Coxhead -> Printers (Franklin 1841 -> New -> Munford) -> Fruen (China, glass, undertakers) -> Parsons
(1932) -> Razey electrical -> 1980 Antiques -> Framemakers -> antiques -> Wedding Flower Gallery.
Description of property
From Listed Building records: House now house and shop. 18th century. Tiled roof, painted rendered walls. T-plan, rear block at right angles to street and slightly higher. 2
storeys and attic, central square dormer, 2 glazing bar sashes, early 20th century shop windows and central door.
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Timeline
1232: Priory of St. John the Baptist built on the "island".
1547: Priory of St. John dissolved by Henry VIII
1740: New road and two bridges built for easier access to town from Charnham Street, replacing the old road in front of the Tannery (stood to rear of Riverside house) and the ford (by Forge Cottage).
<1774: ..?.. Viner
1774-c1804: Richard Gibbs (staymaker) & Matthew Liddiard
1805-c1810: Edward Dismore
c1810-23: William Coxhead (grocer)
1832-c1836: Edward Dismore (owner)
1841-c1869: William Franklin (printer) (occupier)
1847: Edward Dismore (owner) William Franklin (occ)
1861: Daniel
Allen (own); William Franklin (occ)
1869-c1875: Mary Franklin (printer, bookseller, stationer) (see advert in Parish Magazine 1871)
1881-c1903: Alfred New (printer, employing 1 man, 2 boys, & 2 females)
1896: Devisees of Elizabeth Pearson
(own); Alfred New (occupant)
1903: Frank New (printer, bookseller)
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1911 (July): Hungerford Printing Works: Rupert
Mead
1913 (June) Hungerford Printing Works new owner – Mr E.W. Munford.
1914: Devisees of Daniel Allen (own): Ernest William Munford (occ). Ernest Munford came to
Hungerford Printing Works at 2BS just before the 1st World War. He met his wife, who came to Hungerford as the first Headmistress of Infants at the new All-Age Council School. Married 1919.
1919: Hungerford Printing Works moved to 129 High Street
1920; Tom Fruen & Son (china & glass dealers, undertakers). Tom Fruen's assistant was known as "Coffin
Smith". Fruen's business was previously at 129 High St. i.e. an exchange!
1932 (CL): Mr. & Mrs. Albert Parsons owned 2BS for one year
1933-70: Mr. & Mrs. William George Razey
(wireless engineers.) Mr Razey had been a corn merchant, but started making radio kits in his spare time. They bought it for £400. Alterations - dropped floor because of low timbered ceiling, and removed partition (wattle & daub) between old left room (living room) and right (workshop). Blocked up back entrance via no.1. Garden went down to the river. Living quarters on first floor. Mrs. Razey used to do 120 visits daily collecting 2 volt accumulators for charging, and returning them after 2 hours (for 6d a time). T.V.s in Hungerford before WW2 (and before U.S.A.). They moved to live at Priory Road in 1945.
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 "1871 Parish Magazine-Franklin(w)")
 "bridge_st_30 c1914(c)")
 "bridge_st_11w")
 "bridge_st_12w")
 "P3271093w")
 "Wedding Flower Gallery(w)")
 "2BS Oak section(w)")