Oracle (workhouse)

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Oracle
File:The Oracle gateway, c. 1845.jpg
The Oracle in Minster Street, 1845 by William Fox Talbot
Oracle (workhouse) is located in Reading Central
Oracle (workhouse)
Location within Reading Town Centre
General information
Type Workhouse
Location Reading, Berkshire, England
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Completed 1628
Demolished 1850

The Oracle was a workhouse that produced cloth in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The Oracle shopping mall, which occupies a small part of the site, takes its name from the Oracle workhouse.

History

In the 17th century, clothiers in Reading were facing competition from the north of England, where taxes were lower.[1] On 30 December 1624, John Kendrick a clothier died leaving £7,500 to the Reading and £4,000 to Newbury to help their cloth industries.[1] John Kendrick's father and brother had a textile factory in Minster Street. The factory was sold to the Council for £2,000, and alterations were carried out to make it suitable for use as a workhouse. The new facility opened in 1628.[2] It stretched from the top of Minster Street 30 metres (98 ft) down along the Holy Brook. William Kendrick chose the name "Oracle" to honour his brother John, whose idea launched the facility.[3]

The Oracle remained in use until the 19th century, and the building was demolished in 1850.[4]

References

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  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
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