Page 1124 - Reading Mercury

Andy Staff, manager of Bennetts Insurance, Broad Street, said, “There were more
than an average number of claims and considerably more on TV aerials, roofs and
windows and also on claims for car damage.” His advice was to get any essential
work fixed and send the invoice to the insurance company. Policies do not usually
cover damage to wooden fences.
A spokesman for the London Weather Centre said the Wokingham and Bracknell
areas should expect more fierce gusts, but not gale force like last Thursday. The
Thames alley largely escaped the high winds of Sunday and Monday as they blew
along the South Coast. Buildings and trees weakened by last Thursday’s winds should
be given special care.

th
Thur 8 Feb
THE MYSTERY OF CORPORAL KIRBY
This beautifully engraved cigarette case was presented to a Corporal C. Kirby by the
people of Wokingham in honour of his gallantry and heroism in helping his fellow
soldiers. Unfortunately it fell into the hands of someone else. Elizabeth Watson, of
Green Road, Earley, was given the case by her sister in the Midlands after it was
found among the effects of her in-laws. Now she would like to trace Mr. Kirby or his
family so that she can return it. She has made some investigations but without
success.
(N.B. All Wokingham soldiers who returned from Dunkirk were presented with one
of these cigarette cases by the Mayor of Wokingham in August 1940. Jim Bell)

th
Thur 15 Feb
NEW-LOOK MARKET TO BE READY BY SPRING
Wokingham’s prestigious new look Market Place should be completed by the
beginning of April. The revamp has meant the outdoor market has had to move
temporarily to the new pedestrian area behind the town hall. It was due to move on
Monday for about two weeks. But district council planners say the move will be done
with as little inconvenience to shoppers and town-centre workers as possible.
The scheme, which is being jointly funded by the town and district councils at a cost
of £130,000 includes attractive red brick paving, cast iron benches, bollards and trees.
The council hopes it will make the town centre safer and give townsfolk somewhere
to sit in a picturesque environment.
There are also plans to hold small-scale events on the pedestrianised area. The
spokesman said, ”The paving has been selected to complement the town hall and
surrounding red brick buildings and has a non-slip textured surface for safety.
Different colours and a change in level have been used to show the difference
between pedestrian areas and those areas where buses and delivery vehicles are
allowed. In order to make life easier for mothers with prams or push chairs, or
disabled in wheelchairs, within the area traditional kerbs are replaced with sloped
surfaces.

Thur 22 Feb
TAKING OFF THE RITZ
Wokingham’s only cinema, the Ritz, is to close in the middle of May. The owner
has decided to shut down because of competition from The Point, a new screen
complex at Skimped Hill in Bracknell, due to open in April.

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