Page 1108 - Reading Mercury

Thur 18th June
REDWOOD STROLLS TO AN EASY VICTORY
Wokingham’s new Conservative MP, John Redwood, swept to victory in last
week’s General election. The 35-year-old former director of Rothschild easily won
with a comfortable majority over his closest rival John Leston.

Thur 15th Oct
TWINS FOR A DECADE
Wokingham celebrated ten years of friendship with its West German twin town on
Saturday but the weather was less than friendly to the occasion. Civic leaders and
visitors from Wokingham’s twin town were here to reaffirm the twinning declaration
and sample some traditional Berkshire culture.
After arriving at Heathrow Airport, the German visitors were taken to Wokingham
Town Council for a talk on the town’s extensive silver by mace bearer Albert
Dunham.
Then under a downpour of rain, a parade of Wokingham and Erfstadt councillors
marched to Erfstadt Court, off Denmark Street where a commemorative plaque was
unveiled to mark a decade of friendship and mutual understanding between the two
towns.
Local scouts, guides and army organisations lined the route as the parade arrived at
Palmer Park. The Berkshire Bedlam Morrismen provided an entertaining dance
routine before the civic group moved on to Langborough Recreation Ground. Each
town mayor then planted a tree to mark the occasion and they unveiled a park bench
draped in the flags of both countries. The party then took refuge from the rain in a
nearby marquee tent for an official signing ceremony. Wokingham Town Mayor, John
Green, said “For ten years the bonds of friendship have been forged between Erfstadt
and Wokingham. The links have grown stronger between us with each passing year.
We value highly the exchanges that have taken place between our young people,
sportsmen and women, councillors and interest groups. The trees that he and
Burgermeister, Heinz Cremer, Erfstadt’s mayor, had planted would grow like the
friendship between the two towns.”
A translation of the speech was provided so the Germans present at the ceremony
could understand him, but that did not put Cllr. Green off trying to speak a little
German.
Burgermeister Cremer replied, “I am very pleased to sign this charter. I think it’s the
wish of the people of Erfstadt and I hope our friendship goes on and on.”
The original signatories of the charter, former Wokingham town clerk Richard Jones
and former Erfstadt mayor Adolf Kappes were also at the ceremony. A private
reception was later held at the town council offices.
Wokingham Town Football Club played host to the German visitors on Saturday
night when a celebration party was held.

A TUDOR DRAGON (BEA SNELL)
Wokingham’s Bea Snell is a familiar face around town but how many of us know
her as Mistress Bet, the “Dragon” cook of Kentwell Hall. Since retiring to
Wokingham thirteen years ago, if retiring is the right word, Bea has devoted her life to
serving the community. She is a member of the Hospital’s League of Friends, The
Volunteer Bureau, WADE, The National Council of Women, and she’s just retired
from being governor of two schools.

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