Page 1154 - Reading Mercury

The Royal Berkshire Regiment renamed the Wessex Regiment (Territorial Army,
was based at Slough but has recently been disbanded). They decided the scroll should
be returned to its rightful home in Wokingham. Lt. Col Barry Paddison M.B.E., of the
regiment’s second battalion based at Brock Barracks in Reading made the
presentation to the council last week.
It will be kept in the War Memorial Annexe where it can be seen by the public
among the other treasures from Wokingham’s past. The scroll contains the names of
officers, NCOs and men of the fourth Battalion who served overseas. A small plaque
was also included in memory of those who gave their lives for their country in the
World War 1939-1945.

th
Thur 5 Oct
HIDDEN WINDOW REVEALED
A stained glass window has been discovered at St. Paul’s Church in Wokingham.
The window was apparently hidden by the organ. People were aware that the window
was there, but, they didn’t realise how beautiful it was. The window is said to echo
small sections of the great East window—the choirs of angels, with their musical
instruments.

SUNDIAL UNVEILED AT HOWARD PALMER PARK
At the official unveiling of Wokingham’s magnificent new sundial in Howard Palmer
Park there wasn’t a ray of sunshine in sight. The rain poured down as Town Mayor
Cllr. Ann Davis and Town Cllr. Keith Malvern marked the end of a project that has
been in the pipeline for several years.
Pupils from Emmbrook School, who are now at university, won an inter-school
competition to design the best sundial. Emmbrook has a reputation for its keenness to
take on projects that have practical results. The £11,000 attraction was funded by the
Town Council who say it has a valuable contribution to make to the cultural life of
Wokingham. With realistic good sense, Emmbrook tried to make the sundial vandal-
proof.

th
Thur 7 Dec
WONDERFUL WOKINGHAM
Great community spirit, an electric atmosphere and smiles all round made the first
ever Wokingham Winter Carnival an astounding success. Hundreds of people flooded
the streets, bringing the centre of Wokingham alive with music and laughter. Small
children had the time of their lives, dragging their parents round to meet Father and
Mother Christmas in the TIMES sponsored grotto.
There were clowns galore, jugglers, and men on stilts mostly organised by Kathy
Valentine of Circus Scene. Like many events on the day, the Victorian market was so
popular it brought the town to a standstill. People jostled to get close to the stalls,
many of which were collecting for charity.
Wokingham’s Police inspector, Paul Cessell was strutting the streets in a superb
Victorian policeman’s outfit complete with top hat. The Wokingham Society Local
History Group also helped people to take a trip down memory lane. Not only did
some wear Dickensian costumes, but they set up an exhibition in the Town Hall.
Over 80 organisations and businesses helped to support the carnival while 120 stalls
enticed shoppers. But it was Paul Thomas, of Wokingham Lion Club, who kept the
town buzzing with his permanent commentary on what was on offer in the town. As
compere he talked through the carnival procession which saw 80 floats go by,

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