Page 1093 - Reading Mercury

Critics of the decision say it creates a dangerous precedent and will make it easier
for other building societies to come in. They argue that landlords throughout
Wokingham will now be more likely to fight for permission to change shops to offices
and so win the higher rents offices can command. This will push shops and shoppers
out of Wokingham
Already opposition is mounting to moves by Gascoigne-Pees who want to set up an
office in retail premises in 31-35 Denmark Street but many fear it will be too late.

th
Thur 26 May
STROLLER
ANYONE REMEMBER THE TYPHOON OF ’45?
I have received a very interesting letter from Mr. Chris Thomas of 22 Blagrove
Lane, Wokingham, who would like to know if anyone remembers a Hawker Typhoon
making a forced landing nearby 38 years ago.
Mr. Thomas is writing a book about the wartime operations of the famous fighters
and fighter bombers and part of his research involves interviewing Typhoon pilots.
Our story begins with details of a dog-fight over Northern France about five weeks
after D-Day. Despite being hit the Typhoon No. MN860 made it back to base where
the full extent of the damage was revealed.
It had been hit by 17 200mm cannon shells, mostly in the wings where the main
spar had been pierced, and also in the propeller and engine cowling. Although
seriously damaged, the ‘plane was not written off but returned to the U.K. for repair.
Eventually it was re-issued to 84 Group Support Unit at Lasham in Hampshire for
training purposes.
On May 16th, 1945 it suffered an engine failure in flight and the pilot, Flight
Sergeant Ray, had to make a forced landing in a field near Wokingham—believed to
be Warren Farm. The pilot was unharmed but although his aircraft was not badly
damaged, with the war in Europe over the RAF had more Typhoons that it needed,
and MN860 was ignominiously scrapped.
Mr. Thomas wonders if any readers can recall the event, especially the exact location
of the, or perhaps even come up with a photograph. He would be interested to hear
from anyone as well. He would also like to be contacted by any readers who had first-
hand experience of Typhoons.

th
Thur 16 June
THE OLD FORGE HAS NEW TENANTS
Wokingham’s Old Forge has new tenants. The former smithy in Peach Street now
houses the offices of SavaCentre, owners of five hypermarkets. Previously the
company’s offices were just down the road in Wokingham Market Place where they
had been since 1980.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, Cllr. and Mrs. David Ireland and Mr.
Philip Robinson, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce were among the guests at an
informal opening of the new offices last week. The ceremony was performed in the
reception area of the old town forge which has now been completely refurbished and
contains a small display of blacksmith’s tools and pictures of the smithy at work.
Although the building has been completely modernised, the architecture is of a
traditional style to fit into the traditional market town townscape.

nd
Thur 22 Sept
CLOCK TOWER VANDAL TO PAY £700

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