Page 1156 - Reading Mercury

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Thur 4 April
OFTEL LAUNCHES CODE CHANGE
Taken from a Reader’s Letter written by Richard Dadd:--
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From April 8 1996 an entirely new STD code of 0118 for the Reading area will be
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introduced and run in parallel with 01734 until December 31 1997.
In conjunction with this new code existing subscriber numbers will be increased to
seven digits by the addition of 9 at the beginning.

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Thur 25 April
THE HELP SHOP OFFICIALLY OPENS
Officially unveiled on Wednesday in Wokingham Town Hall was a tourist centre
and one-stop shop council bureau. It was opened by Mayor Cllr. Ann Davis and the
chairman of Berkshire County Council Cecil Trombath. The scheme which has cost
around £50,000 has been jointly funded by the town council and Berkshire County
Council.
The councillors hope that the one-stop shop renamed “helpshop” and tourist
information centre will bring a major boost to Wokingham. The shop stocks a variety
of information leaflets and also offers booking service for local bed and breakfast
accommodation. It is also aimed at dealing with any enquiries about local government
services. The Southern Tourist Board staff will be sharing the same office and will be
offering information about tourist attractions throughout the region.
The helpshop and tourist information centre can be contacted by phoning the Town
Council on 01734 783185.

Thur 2nd May
ON PARADE AS SCHOOLS MERGE
Arborfield Garrison has enhanced its reputation as home to excellence in
engineering. The School of Electronic Engineering—already located in Arborfield has
merged with the School of Aeronautical Engineering, formerly based in Middle
Wallop, Wiltshire. The new school—to be called the School of Electronic and
Aeronautical Engineering—will train officers for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers (REME). A formation parade was held last Thursday to mark the merger of
two schools.
Major General Philip Corp, the director general of support (Army) was inspecting
officer at the event, which was attended by nearly 200 people. Speaking about
benefits of the merger, information officer Lt. Jonathan Trebarne, said, “It is a
concentration of training and resources.”
He denied the merger had anything to do with Army cutbacks, saying, “This would
have happened anyway.”

9th May
MAY FAYRE FANTASTIC
The sun smiled on the thousands who strolled round the delights of Wokingham’s
first-ever May Fayre extravaganzas. There was something for everyone with food,
drink, craft stalls, dancing, music, and bonnet competitions. From babes in their prams
to proud grannies, people flocked in their droves to the Market Place event on Bank
Holiday Monday. The traditional represented by the Green Man who is an ancient
symbol of rebirth, mixed with the modern. The event was organised by Gerald Aggett,
President of Wokingham Lions.
The day kicked off for the brave at 6a.m. With a choral rendition of the Wokingham

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