Page 1105 - Reading Mercury

Norreys Avenue, and reassembled. The £100 building was opened in 1963 with snow
blowing through the unfinished roof.
Despite the addition of a kitchen and bar the building was only meant to be
temporary. But it was not until this August that the much-loved hall saw its last
production.
A struggle to find a good plan for a move to Twyford Road ended in September
1964, when the district council gave permission for a building designed by Windsor
architect Tony Hudson. Then the real fight began as members worked to raise the rest
of the money they had begun to collect in 1961. In the summer of last year the fund
received a terrific boost. Wokingham District Council not only gave a low interest
loan but also presented an unexpected grant.
Over the past few months, members showed boundless enthusiasm in helping
prepare the theatre for its first production, Terence Rattigan’s “Separate Tables.” 125
seats were man-handled from the recently closed Fulcrum theatre in Slough. Much of
the decorating was done by members some giving up their holidays to help out.
The theatre’s grand opening was on a Sunday evening. Following the last
performance of “Separate Tables” veteran actress Beryl Reid O.B.E. and Hughie
Green were on hand to unveil a plaque.
The theatre is run by dedicated volunteers. Their success is shown by the fact that
seats for each show are usually 80 to 90 sold out.

th
Thur 30 Oct
TIMES EDITOR ADAM RETIRES
Adam McKinley, editor of the Times Series since 1976, retires at the end of this
week. Mr. McKinley, who was 65 earlier this month, joined the Times in 1970, after a
distinguished career in national and provincial journalism. A Glaswegian and son of a
Labour MP, Mr. McKinley started in journalism with the Glasgow Evening Citizen.
After more than five years’ service in the Royal Navy, in which he was torpedoed in
both Malta and Russian convoys, Mr. McKinley rejoined the Daily Express where he
worked as a political and industrial reporter as well as night news editor.
Soon after he joined the Times in 1970 he began writing his weekly often
controversial and hard hitting column.

1987
th
Thur 26 Feb
JEAN DAVY DIES
Jean Davy died aged 71 from a brain tumour. Her funeral was held at all Saints’
th
Church on Wednesday 25 February.

th
Thur 19 March
DIANA’S TREAT
Princess Diana visited Dr. Barnardo’s High Close School on Friday escorted by Col
the Hon. Gordon Palmer. Once she had been introduced to local dignitaries she
chatted to the parents. Despite the visit of the Royal president of Dr. Barnardo’s the
48 pupils found it was lessons as normal. After the visit she made an unscheduled
walkabout to talk to the crowds outside.

th
Thur 7 May
MAYOR’S EXHIBITION GOES BACK IN TIME.
Mayor’s Exhibition goes back in time

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