WHEN Karen Beasley retired to Devon after a lifetime living in Wokingham, she knew she would always have her memories.
She never thought one day she would literally have a piece of the town with her as a permanent reminder of her happy times there.
But now a little corner of Karen’s garden on the south coast will forever be a part of Wokingham.
In the 1990s, a family friend who was one of the contractors building the Rose Street car park, inscribed Karen’s name on a brick he laid in the Arcade.
It lay there for nearly 30 years until the current development of the area – to create Peach Place – began two years ago.
That’s when Karen’s daughter, Debbie, stepped in to ensure her Mum could have a piece of the town she loved so much.
“The guy, whose name was Paul, inscribed Mum’s name on one brick and another with the name of her friend, Anna,” explained Debbie.
“Mum’s brick was near the Hairy Poppins shop so when I heard it would be dug up, I went to see the workmen and asked if they could save the two bricks.
“They were really nice and helpful and even cleaned them for me.
“Mum was delighted to have her own little piece of Wokingham which my Dad, Michael, cemented into their patio in her house in Devon.
“They still visit the town regularly but when they are not here, they feel part of the town is now with them.”
Debbie also made sure her mum’s friend, Anna, got her brick before the Peach Street development swung into action.
“I’ve lived in Wokingham all my life and love it here. I hear people moan about all the work and problems with traffic, but the contractors could not have been nicer when I asked them to dig out both bricks.
“It’s great to see all the new build and Peach Street with the new shops. I’m just glad I was able to save a little bit of the past.”
