Page 25 - A History Of Food And Drink In Wokingham

To mark the end of the full-time day commercial course at the Institute of Further Education,
Montague House, Wokingham, the students organised a lunch with special guest the Mayor,
Cllr. R.H. Brimblecombe.

1955

An unusual question—for a public house—was being heard frequently at the Hope and
Anchor, Wokingham, after Mr. W. Dean installed a coffee-making machine in the saloon bar.
“Sugar, Sir?” was now as normal as the more familiar “Soda or water, Sir?” This was believed
to be the first machine of its kind to be installed in a bar in Berkshire

The image of the pub in 1901 is kindly provided by Chris French.
The local branches of the British Legion and the Royal Artillery Association joined forces to
give members’ children a New Year party, and as a result 120 boys and girls between five
and twelve thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon. Before the children left each was given an
orange, a bar of chocolate and a balloon.

The Red Puppet Snack Bar opened at 23 Market Place, claiming to be a good-class Snack
Bar and Pastry shop. It shut in 1960 and is now the Romans Estate Agency.
1957

Mr. E.J. Garrett, of 92, Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, retired after thirty years as a
milkman at the age of 65 years old. He had left school when he was 12 years old, and
started as a milk-boy for Mr. Elder of Matthews Green Farm.
The Arthur Hambleton Bakery at 4 Market Place was sold to Pinnell & Mills, a builder and
decorators’ merchant. The premises are now a charity shop for Cancer Research.

1958
International Stores at 18 Market Place opened their new self-service food store, although
they did not have a licence to sell alcoholic drinks until 1968.

1960

The last mention of The Welcome Inn public house.

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