Page 1136 - Reading Mercury

they are disinterred. Church officials have given two months’ notice of their plans. If
any relatives of those buried at the graveyard within the last fifty years formally
object, the building cannot go ahead. Plans showing the graves to be moved can be
viewed at Haye and Reid solicitors at Shute End between 10.00am and noon and 2pm
th
to 4pm Monday to Friday before May 5 .

Thur 26th March
BOB IS WELL ARMED FOR THE TOP CIVIC POST
Bob Wyatt is an ex-army man who brought up his three children alone. It has been a
tough disciplined life that has armed him well for taking on the job of Wokingham’s
new Mayor.
The closeness of the family unit and the need to talk problems through gave Bob a
keen sense of democracy. And as Mayor, he will aim to put the broad interests of the
community first by making sure each council member has a say in making decisions,
regardless of party. Bob says his approach will strengthen and continue Wokingham’s
fine traditions of running a reasonable and responsible council. Above all he believes
in listening to the people of Wokingham.
Bob lives in Sturges Road, Wokingham, but was born in Charlton, London in 1931.
He spent much of his working life in the Army and it was the Army which brought
him to Wokingham when he was posted to REME at Arborfield during his National
Service in 1953. He decided to stay on with REME as a professional soldier, reaching
the rank of lieutenant. Bob says his military life gave him a strong sense of service,
taught him to work as a team and showed him that doing things for others can be fun.
Even when he left the Army to work for the AA in 1960 he joined the Territorials.
Bob rose to become a lieutenant colonel, running his own traffic control battalion of
around a 100 men staffed entirely from the AA. He was awarded the Territorial
Declaration in 1978 and the MBE in 1960 for his services.
The enjoyment Bob gained from serving others prompted him to stand for office. He
served in the old Wokingham Borough Council in the early 1970s and joined the
Wokingham Town Council in 1983. He likes being able to do his bit for Wokingham,
which he calls a “super little town”. Bob is keenly aware that the town faces many
changes including plans for superstores and the proposed Inner Distribution Road.
He says there is very little dogma in his views and hopes this will help him; he
knows the Mayor has to be free of bias. Bob wants to make sure everyone contributes
to making decisions and he hopes his approach will help soothe passions raised by
controversial subjects like the IDR. When people get excited and put themselves in
entrenched positions it is not always good for the community he says.
Bob’s experience in the AA and his engineering training led him into the fascinating
hobby of restoring classic Austin cars. He has written books about the Austins and has
been recognised as an expert on the history of the firm and models like the Austin
Seven. I love books and can’t stop writing. It’s almost like a disease he said.
Bob led a tough life at home, being left to bring up his three children after his wife,
Barbara, left him 20 years ago. The family stuck together and became very close by
respecting one another and talking problems out rather than arguing.
He is certain he has the right approach with people, citing as evidence the fact that
his sons and daughter are all making a success of their lives.
Bob, who was a deputy mayor during 1989-90 and has been a school governor at St.
Theresa’s, Wescott and Westend, takes office on May 12th.

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