Page 1060 - Reading Mercury

Mr. Gibson has said that there will be approximately 90 stalls, offering all types of
goods from clothing to vegetables, china and toys, and that all stallholders will be
reputable people. They will be people who will come back week after week and
depend on their reputation to succeed in their business. And he also assured
questioners that the market would be a clean one and conform to all regulations.
Many people are attracted to the idea of a Sunday market and think it will compete
favourably with that at Blackbushe. They do not like the thought of Wokingham’s
peace being disturbed, but are inclined to feel the inconvenience may be outweighed
by the market’s usefulness.

th
Thur 18 July
PARTY TO REMEMBER
“It’s off!” was the cry which arose when the hot air balloon, Free and Easy lifted
from the ground at Glebelands, Wokingham, on Saturday, to rise slowly over the trees
and disappear into the distance. The balloon was one of the many attractions at the
golden jubilee garden party given by the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund in
aid of this home for former artists of stage and ITV screens
Among the hundreds who attended were several familiar faces including that of
actor Angus Lennie who only the previous evening had appeared in “Justice” on
television.
Sylvia. Simms an up and coming starlet Jane Seymour were soon recognised as was
the tall cockney comedian Arthur Mullard; but quietly and unobtrusively stealing the
show was Dame Anna Neagle, dressed entirely in pink, who arrived with her husband,
Herbert Wilcox. Dame Anna is no stranger to the Home having visited it very often
and residents are proud of the beautiful portrait of her that hangs in the lounge. With
her and her husband was Chairman of the C.T.B.F. Cecil Bernstein.
Robin Hood, Little John and King John, all characters from the latest Walt Disney
cartoon film, proved a great attraction to children--young and old--as they promoted
an archery contest.
Despite the rain which fell almost continuously the whole afternoon, everyone
stayed—with umbrellas up—to enjoy the exciting competitions and games provided
for their amusement.
In the house, residents manned their own stall on which hand-knitted goods, home-
made jams and so on were displayed. Teas and other refreshments were served and a
bingo session ran without a pause.
“We were surprised to see so many people as the weather was so bad. It’s most
gratifying,” said Mr, G. Gregory who, with his wife and staff run the Home.
Not only retired persons use the home. Those who have worked in bingo, cinema or
Independent Television industries can also recuperate there after an illness or
operation and their dependants too can enjoy the same facilities.

th
Thur 5 Sept
IDEAS TO RESTORE DRILL HALL AT WOKINGHAM
The Drill Hall, Wokingham, for long the centre of Wokingham’s recreational
activities, but now in a sad state of disrepair, may, if a local resident has his way, take
on a new lease of life. Members of the Town Council Amenities Committee discussed
on Tuesday, a well thought-out detailed study sent to the Town Clerk by Mr. David
Feather, of Woosehill lane, Wokingham, in which he decried the paucity in the area of
theatrical facilities of a reasonable standard.

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