Page 1155 - Reading Mercury

including postman pat followed by the Mayor, Ann Davis, and town crier and
councillors in full ceremonial dress. Later Cllr. Davis announced the winner of the
best float as Wokingham’s Townswomen’s Evening Guild. They had dressed up as
toys from their Christmas show this year, the Christmas Toy Box.

Thur 14th Dec
LIGHTING THE OLD STREET LAMPS
Once upon a time a man on a bike went round Wokingham keeping the gas street
lamps aflame until the onset of electricity made it unnecessary. George Kingston, who
has just turned 91, worked for the old Wokingham borough for over 30 years making
sure the town was never plunged into darkness.
“I started off doing it for a fortnight but I lasted all that time, so I must have liked it.
I’d go around at night and check that the lights hadn’t gone out because it was blowy
or whatever, then I’d check they were out first thing in the morning. I’d have to work
every day, including Christmas Day. It was a job you’d call a tie.”
Mr. Kingston who now lives at Westende sheltered housing in London Road, would
set the clocks on the lamps every week. They would go on when it got dark and go off
at 11 pm. But the one at the crossroads of London and Peach Street stayed on all
night.
“I went round with my ladder. I’d stand on my bike pedal and pull myself up on the
bar and light the lamps. I used something which is like a cigarette lighter, though
these weren’t so common then.
Wokingham born and bred, he first lived in Rose Street as his parents did next to the
Metropolitan pub which he would often visit for a quick tipple. He only left his
beloved town when he joined the RAF in 1940 or when he had the odd holiday in
Blackpool or Morecambe. His wife, Florrie, nee Richardson, died of cancer about 20
years ago. She was also a Wokingham lass and lived in Rose Street all her life. She
was christened, married and buried in All Saints’ Church.

1996
th
Thur 7 March
PLAQUE UNVEILED AT NEW LIBRARY
Heritage Secretary Virginia Bottomley took time out from her parliamentary duties
to unveil a plaque at Wokingham’s new super-library. She was welcomed on Tuesday
by town Mayor Ann Davis, district council chairman John Green and Berkshire
County Council chairman Cecil Trembath.
Work on the library on the corner of Denmark Street and Langborough Road started
last September and is due to be completed in autumn 1996. The library, at a cost of
£1.75m, will be times the size of the old library at Montague House and thousands of
new books will be bought.
Mrs. Botttomley said,” I’m thrilled to be here because I feel that libraries play a
vital role in any community. Libraries provide such a wide range of facilities,
including important projects for children and the disabled. It is a building for the
future and I hope I will be able to return when I am an old lady to enjoy the many
books that it will provide.”
Heritage Secretary, Virginia Bottomley, unveiled a plaque at Wokingham’s new
super library. Work started Sept. 1995 and is due to be completed in Autumn of 1996.
Cost: £1.75M.

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