Page 1029 - Reading Mercury

the mace and mayoral robes, the splendid regalia and silver. Also on the Borough
Council stand and causing considerable surprise was a Nazi flag that had been
presented to the Mayor by the captain of H.M.S. Garth, Wokingham’s adopted ship.

th
Thur 27 April
WOOSEHILL LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT
Fairview Estates Ltd. have bought 25.40 acres of land at Woosehill, Wokingham,
for residential development. The price paid has not been disclosed. The land forms
part of a complex totalling 325 acres which was originally put together by the Land
Commission, which instigated its release for housing development and carried out
negotiations with the owners. When the Land Commission was wound up the task of
getting the development under way was taken over by Berkshire County Council.
Woosehill is recommended for housing development in “Central Berkshire: A
Programme for Residential Development,” a consultative document published by the
County Council a year ago.
Says Mr. John Cousins, a director of Fairview Estates, who negotiated the deal, “By
purchasing this site, we have acquired an access to the entire complex from the A329
road. We have thus taken the first steps towards the development of a large site in an
area where there is a tremendous demand for homes. We are at present negotiating
with the planning authority to resolve the various planning problems which still have
to be ironed out, and hope to begin building in about 18 months’ time.”

th
Thur 18 May
TEMPORARY HOME IS PROMISED FOR WOKINGHAM CRAFT CENTRE
The Berkshire Craft Centre at Wokingham have been promised temporary
accommodation when their headquarters, The Old Brewery, Denmark Street, are
demolished. The promise came from the Mayor, Cllr. Dr. Reginald Goodchild, in his
speech at the opening of the Centre’s third annual exhibition at the Town Hall on
Friday.
He mentioned the Council’s plans for the re-development of Denmark Street, which
include pulling down several existing buildings to make way for a multi-storey car
park. “The Council are fully aware that the Craft Centre is an outstanding amenity of
the town, and it is quite possible that alternative accommodation will be provided—
not perhaps as spacious as that you already enjoy, but large enough to tide you over
until a more permanent place can be found,” he said.
He remarked on the excellence of the work on display, and with his wife spent a
long time at each stand listening to the exhibitors, mainly amateurs, explaining the
different processes involved in producing the different articles.
Miss I.C. Vaughen-Morgan, of Warren Lodge, Finchampstead, was demonstrating
her skill at the spinning wheel. She was winding spool given her by a Swallowfield
farmer which, when ready, would be knitted into pullovers.
Mrs. Peggy Hodges, of Wards Farm, Woodcote, was weaving, and Elizabeth Apps
(12), of Luckley Road, Wokingham, with Karen Hewitt (13), of 12, Wylam,
Bracknell, were busy lace-making. Both the girls were enjoying time off school to
take part in the exhibition, and their exquisite work and deftness in handling the
bobbins attracted a great deal of attention.
At the stand displaying the art of lapidary, Mrs. Jane Upton, an instructor, explained
How even stones picked up on a beach at holiday time can be cut and polished and
made into attractive ornaments and jewellery. Many of her more ambitious pupils at
the Centre take up silversmithing and combine the two arts most effectively.

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