Page 1129 - Reading Mercury

existing nursery. As part of the refurbishment the school’s old kitchen has been
converted into a language area and it has a new computer resource centre.
Berkshire County Council finally did an about face and agreed to fund the project at
a cost of £45,565. The new nursery should be completed within the next eight weeks
and the school already has a waiting list of children who want to go there.
Whitelocke School is one of a few in Berkshire which provides education for able-
bodied and handicapped children together.

Thur 13th Sept
HELLO WILLIAM
Wokingham said, “Hello William” on Monday as the eight-year-old prince arrived
in the town for his first day at Ludgrove School. Accompanied by Prince Charles and
Princess Diana, William arrived by Bentley to be greeted by school heads Nichol
Marston and Gerald Barber. Princess Diana looked tearful as she said goodbye to the
young prince.

TOWN HALL IS FOUND TO HAVE 62 FAULTS
Wokingham Town Hall has 62 structural faults according to an annual inspection
carried out by chartered surveyors. The 46 interior and 16 exterior problems include
damp, loose mortar and a collapsed kitchen ceiling.
Wokingham town councillors have instructed town clerk Michael Taylor to give the
go-ahead for the more urgent repairs, obtaining estimates in advance for the most
expensive projects. The Lawrence-Vacher Partnership carried out the inspection and
has given the town council a copy of its report, detailing the work that needs carrying
out. It was considered by members last week.
It says: there is evidence of rising damp affecting the building in a number of areas.
The areas involved are the toilet accommodation from the market, the Mayor’s
Parlour, in the hallway and toilet accommodation, in the east entry lobby and in the
old CAB office now occupied by Crème de la Crème.
Other faults highlighted include:
Handrail to the west stair is loose.
A section of doorstep to the door between the main hall and council chamber is
missing.
In the kitchen the ceiling had originally had taped covers to joints which are now
missing in places and in part collapsed elsewhere. This requires re-securing and
possible redecoration.
There is an unpleasant smell in the ladies’ lavatory to the office suite which requires
further investigation.
The east clock face is out of synchronisation with other faces.
Deterioration was noted to the back of the parapet.
Mortar is cracked and loose in places. Some corners are cracked and damaged by frost
and also from the fixing of posts to pigeon wires.
The report adds: Some further works to stonework should be carried out. Neglect to
this work could lead to damage of brickwork.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS
There were smiles all round when members of Westmead Day Centre, together with
helpers, carers, staff and friends celebrated the centre’s first birthday. The centre,
which is in Rances Lane, was converted from the former Westmead School which
catered for disabled children. When the children transferred to the Whitelocke Infant

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