The Royal Berkshire Hospital formally opened its doors on Monday 27 May 1839 and, according to local newspapers, was a highly anticipated cause for celebration. As well as a special sermon at St Lawrence’s Church and a celebratory dinner, a procession made its way from the church to the Hospital on London Road.

The Reading Mercury published the programme of events (which had also been circulated via posters) in their Saturday edition on 25 May 1839. This programme listed all those meant to take part in the processions and suggests that it was set to be quite the spectacle.

“the Procession to the Hospital in the London Road, will be arranged in the following order:

The Children of the Sunday Schools, six abreast, the Girls taking the lead.
The Girls of the Green School, four abreast.
The Boys of the Blue Coat School, four abreast.
The Choristers under charge of Mr. Binfield.
The Head of the Philanthropic Institution.
The Members of the Philanthropic Institution, with Flags.
Band of Music.
All the Benefit Societies of Reading.
The Contractor and the Clerk of the Works.
The Architect.
The Resident Surgeons of Reading.
The Physicians.
The Vice-Presidents and Board of Management with Wands.
The Treasurer.
The Secretaries.
The Clerk of the Peace.
The Borough Magistrates.
The Two Marshalmen in their Cloaks, carrying their Staves.
Borough Treasurer.
The Town Councillors.
The Aldermen.
The Mace Bearer.
The Town Clerk.
The Mayor.
The Town Sergeants.
The Carriages of such of the Nobility and Gentry as may be pleased to attend, who are requested to join the Procession from Friar Street.”

There was clearly an expectation that many of the townspeople would wish to take part, or at least come to see the new hospital. The organisers thought it necessary to distribute admission tickets (1 shilling on the gate) “in order that the ground may not be inconveniently crowded”. The Mercury believed that large crowds would gather, reporting that shops would shut early so that tradesmen and shoppers alike could observe the festivities.

After such extensive build-up, it is only natural that the newspapers would report on the success of the day. In their 1 June 1839 edition, the Berkshire Chronicle dedicated well over a page to reporting “the excitement and anxiety” of the crowd in their holiday suits. Hundreds of people are said to have taken the opportunity to inspect inside the new hospital.

The Reading Mercury gave half a page to describing how “the villages in the neighbourhood were pouring forth their inhabitants to behold this novel spectacle”. They doubled down on their earlier assertion that there would be a crowd, claiming that “the wide and handsome road thronged with apparently the whole population of the town”. Even the national press took notice, with the Morning Post writing in their Thursday 30 May 1839 issue that the “New Royal Berkshire Hospital at Reading was opened to public inspection with great pomp and solemnity”.

The Morning Post also wrote that the celebratory dinner in the Town Hall was attended by “nearly all the title, the wealth, and the influence of the county”, demonstrating the high esteem that the event was held in. The Reading Mercury noted that entertainment was provided by the Amateur Musical Society, whilst the Berkshire Chronicle briefly mentioned the impressive spread “consisting of an abundance of poultry, hams, shell fish, lamb, &c. &c., and jellies and confectionary of every description”, before providing a quite comprehensive account of the speeches and dozens of toasts made by those present. The final toast was given by the High Sherriff and who said, “Prosperity to the town of Reading, and the county of Berks”.

The opening of the Royal Berkshire Hospital was presented as a day of celebration to which the whole town was expected to take part. The mood of the day can be summarised by the Berkshire Chronicle who described “the prevailing pleasure and satisfaction which appeared to be enjoyed by all present on this memorable occasion.”

If you would like to read more on the opening of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the following documents may be of interest:

• Poster detailing programme of events held to commemorate the opening of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, 1839 (Catalogue reference: D/EX1086/1)

• Papers relating to Chancery proceedings in 1838 concerning the transfer of Dispensary funds to the Royal Berkshire Hospital (Includes printed statutes, rules and orders for the government of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, 1839, and An Account of the Reading Dispensary, 1834, submitted in evidence.), 1834-1839 (Catalogue reference: D/QRD/18/1-36)

The original entrance of the Royal Berkshire Hospital can still be seen on London Road in Reading today. As the main site of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, the Hospital still offers a wide range of healthcare services to the people of Berkshire today. The Hospital also has its own Medical Museum. Although it is currently closed to the public, you can view their website here: Medical Museum.