Page 1099 - Reading Mercury

In another corner of the room was Jill Butler, warden of Dinton Pastures Country
Park who said that they were hoping that people would become interested in the
countryside through this day, and might come down to see what Dinton Pastures has
to offer.
Even Wokingham Public Library had representatives that day. Mrs. Pamela Hunter,
community librarian, said that the library tended to become involved in the
community and they were trying to improve their image. They want people to realise
that they were there and that they had a lot to offer.
A familiar face from political circles was Bracknell District Councillor Colin
Brookes, present in his capacity as representative of the Ministry of Defence branch
of the British Deer Society. He said that there were a lot of deer around the area on
MOD land, and he was often called in as a skilled marksman to put them out of their
misery when poachers had been at them. It was a terrible thing to see a deer which
had a cross-bow bolt stuck in its jaw or had a noose slowly tightening around its neck
as it grew because it had broken away from poachers. He hoped the stall would let
people know that there were deer in the area, that they were being looked after and
that they could join the British Deer Society if they wanted to help protect them.
V.E. DAY PARTY TIME
When Wokingham Town Council decided to celebrate V.E. Day, it did it in true
Roaring Forties style. The council held a thanks-giving concert at the Westende
School in Wokingham to commemorate 40 years of peace. And for the ex-serviceman
and war widows it was a chance to revive the songs, music and memories of the war
era.
The evening’s entertainment included songs of the forties by the Westende School
Choir, music from the St. Sebastian’s Band and a Parade of Honour. Local opera star
Eileen Lowes brought many a tear to the eye when she closed the evening with the
Lord’s Prayer. Another local singer, Mr. James Parker sung ‘The Lights of Home’,
‘Chocolate Soldier’ from U.S.A. and ‘The Victory Waltz’.
The concert was organised by local Cllr. Mrs. Marion Fergusson Kelly. She said
that it was a town’s gesture to the soldiers, ex-servicemen and their widows. It was
quite a night. Everyone who took part in the concert gave their services free and the
town council paid all the other costs.
The Town Mayor, Mrs. Ann Davis, was given a guard of honour by members of the
Royal Navy and cadets of the Navy, Army and Air Force Units. Nearly 100 people
attended the concert and everyone co-operated to make it a great success. The school
let them use the hall and the local karate club changed their night to keep it free for
the concert. Councillors helped by pulling the pints and serving food. There was even
a Smokey Joe’s bar to give the night that special Forties feel. There were also people
who hadn’t seen each other in ages and there were people from Africa, Crete,
Gibraltar and Japan.

th
Thur 13 June
A CAPITAL CARNIVAL
The Wokingham Carnival of 1985 took to the town streets and fields at the
weekend—and, as ever, the main event of the year was an outstanding success. From
early afternoon until well into the evening thousands of people took part and watched
the festivities helping to raise valuable cash for Folly Court, the Guide Dogs for the
Blind Training Centre in Wokingham.
The fun ranged from showcows on the Carnival Field at Cantley House to
parachutists from R.E.M.E. spectacularly landing on the field in front of an enthralled

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