Page 1055 - Reading Mercury

Different rooms have been allocated for different purposes—a games room with
dominoes, draughts, etc., a billiards room, a sitting room with television where old
friends can meet for a chat.
Cheap meals will be provided and tea served during the day. A chiropody service
has been arranged and plans for other amenities are in hand.
Most of the elderly folk in Wokingham and the surrounding area are looking
forward to seeing and using “their” centre but a few feel perhaps it may turn out to be
a waste of money and time.
Transport appears to be the main worry for those unable to move about freely.
Others are willing to use the centre during the summer months but think their own
fireside and comforts will prove too strong for them to want to move far in the cold or
wet weather.
For the gala opening the Band of the Royal Corps of transport will be playing and
for everyone’s extra enjoyment, (and to raise funds) there will be sideshows and teas.

rd
Thur 23 May
METHODIST CHURCH IN WOKINGHAM HAS BEEN GROWING SINCE 1817
Finishing touches were added to the Wokingham Methodist church shortly before
the doors were opened for a special re-opening service on Saturday This new part of
the church has been in use since Christmas but it was only this week that Mrs. Edna
Wendt cut the ribbon across the new doorway and commented that the church gave
young and old an opportunity to share in rich fellowship.
Last September the old properties on the side of the church were demolished and
building work, which has cost about £45,000, was started. Worship stopped for only
one month, while the walls were being knocked out.
Methodist work in Wokingham was pioneered by Corporal William Emmort, of the
Horse Guards in 1817. Two years later arrangements were made for the Rose Street
Barn to be converted into a chapel. By 1869 work had expanded and the Barn Chapel
became inadequate. Adjoining land was bought with a view to rebuilding; and by
November, 1870, the new church was opened. Next year land was purchased for
Sunday School premises and they were opened the following year.
In 1931 more property adjoining the church was purchased for future development.
In 1964 the new hall and ancillary rooms were opened. Now ten years later, the
history is continued, with the opening of the new extension. The architect was Mr.
W.H.C. Cripps and the builders were Luff Building Ltd., Wokingham. The preacher
at the opening service was the resident Minister, the Rev. Dr. Maurice Wendt.
The service was conducted by the Superintendent Minister Dr. Ronald Ashman, the
Rev. Wendt and the Rev. Ralph Bates, (Minister from 1962/65). Following the service
members of the congregation were served tea.

th
Thur 6 June
EVERYONE HELPED WITH DAY CENTRE
The opening of Littlecourt, Wokingham's Day Centre-for the Elderly, on Saturday
was described by Mrs.; Jean Davy, Chairman of the Wokingham and District
association for the Elderly as: “A real Wokingham event for Wokingham people.”
Nearly everybody in the area had contributed something towards the Day Centre fund
and all “from the children who posted their 50ps in plastic bags through my letterbox,
to the £58 and more donated by large associations were of equal importance.”

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