Hermitage Green, how did it get here?

Hermitage green is located on the old Arena Seating site which is located next to the old Hermitage railway station. The development is accessed via Station Road, which is off the new roundabout located at the bottom of Priors Court Road, where it meets Newbury Road.

I am currently investigating the history of the development and the railway station, however here is what I have found out thus far.

Hermitage railway station opened in 1882 as a single track but was converted to a double track during World War2 and ran from Didcot to Newbury being closed in 1962.

In 1881 whole families of railway workers lived in huts on the brickfields 10-12 people to a hut. The villagers in 1883 demanded a late train from Newbury to take them back to outlying villages after an evening out. This was provided by adding 2 passenger carriages to the evening goods train. It was advertised with a warning that it would stop at every station between Newbury and Didcot, but no time could be guaranteed.

Opposite Station Road, the house on the left on the corner of Priors Court Road was occupied by Mr. Cook who was the carrier for the village.  It was also a coffee house where villagers met before being transported by Mr. Cook to the station.

	This photo was taken in 1901 the stationmaster was a Mr. Blanes,
	This photo was taken in 1918 the stationmaster is Mr. Malpress
	This photo shows the staff of Hermitage Station; taken in the 1920’s the stationmaster is Mr. Hunt.
	This photo is looking down towards Arena sight from the top of Slanting Hill before the cold store building was built. You can see the railway station, Station Rd.  the White Horse pub and you can see a white cricket site board on the arena site.
	Arena Seating Arena Seating occupied the development from 1983 to 2000, I'm still trying to find a ground level photo of the company site.
Here are some photos of the demolition of the Arena Seating - Thanks to Roy Marr for these
2004 Banner Homes Purchase the Arena Seating site to develop into Hermitage Green Photo's of the building work
	Looking from Number 48 toward number 23
	Looking from the edge of the grass on the green outside number 8, toward numbers 45 - 47.
	Nearly the same photo as above but from the other side of the road, number 44 and 45 are further advanced

2007 - First occupants were xxx in plot yy (still trying to find out, if you know, please let me know.)