Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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Very many Reading Rooms and libraries have been set up in the town over the course of time. The following is an expanding account of some of them:

Mrs Batt's Reading Room: The Parish Magazine of February 1872 reports that "Some boys who are tired of playing in the Streets on Winter Evenings, have hired a room where they may meet and amuse themselves with Reading, Chess, Draughts, &c. Any contributions of Books, Newspapers, or Games, from friends who are willing to help them, would be thankfully received on their behalf by Rev G R Hogg, and at the Room, Mrs Batt's, High Street ." (There were several properties in the High Street and bridge Street owned by one or other part of the Batt family - it is not yet clear which Mrs Batt helped with this Reading Room).

We would welcome further information on these topics