Page 8 - A History Of Food And Drink In Wokingham

first mention, as did the Thatched Cottage (now the Emmbrook Inn).

1852
The Shades public house at 15 Broad Street was first mentioned.

1857

This year was last mention of the Alma Arms public house in Reading Road.

1858
On 25 January 1858, a royal wedding took place that was designed to align the fortunes of
Europe's two most important powers, Great Britain and Germany's chief principality, Prussia.
The bride was Victoria, Princess Royal, the oldest child of Queen Victoria and her husband,
Prince Albert.

In recognition, a fat ox was roasted whole in the Market Place and portions of the beef were
given to the poor, and also a loaf of bread with it. Prior to the roasting. The doomed ox was
gaily decorated with ribbons and exhibited in the Market Place.

At this time people had to get a licence to shoot game and in this year W. Gotelee, bookseller,
printer, stationer and stamp distributor, was licensed by the Commissioners of Inland
Revenue, Somerset House.
1860

The Pither family were butchers in Wokingham from 1860 and were based at 15 Broad Street.
The building is now The Flower Corner florist.

The Rifle Volunteer public house in Reading Road was first mentioned.

1861

The Three Brewers public house in Barkham Road was first mentioned. It was subsequently
knocked down and replaced by private houses.

1863

Prince Albert Edward (the eldest son of Queen Victoria) – the future King Edward VII - and
Alexandra of Denmark were married and in recognition some 800 children were fed in tents in
the Market Place. The dinner consisted of roast beef and mutton, with vegetables, followed by
plum puddings.

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