Page 1167 - Reading Mercury

Books of Condolence have been set up for Wokingham and Bracknell people to pay
their respects. Wokingham Town Hall has created a memorial for the Princess in the
annexe where people can go to pray and have a quiet thought for Diana.
Although one Union Flag was flying at half-mast on the town council offices
members of the public phoned up to complain that it could not be seen from every
angle in Wokingham town centre. The Town Council took the unprecedented step of
flying two Union Flags at half-mast which could be seen from every angle in
Wokingham town centre.

Thur 13th Nov
TESCO TO WIN THE STORE WAR
Tesco has turned up the heat on the Wokingham super store war unveiling their new
secret weapon. Their huge new store in Finchampstead Road opens for business on
Monday, November 17th replacing the old shop in Denmark Street and going head to
head with the new Waitrose in Wokingham and Sainsbury’s in Winnersh. But Tesco
have a trick up their sleeve.
The new store comes in two parts with a new restaurant and own food section
tacked into the side of the sprawling food section. The new section is the interesting
one as it signals Tesco’s move into almost every other form of retail there is.
The idea is to give shoppers everything they could possibly need short of a hang
glider.
Past the Tesco ToGo take away restaurant which sells everything from pizzas to
Sunday roasts is a Woolworth’s-style shop where you can have films developed and
buy clothes, magazines, computer software and records.

Thur 11th Dec
MR. WOKINGHAM HONOURED
An historian affectionately known as Mr. Wokingham has been awarded the
prestigious title of Honorary Townsman. Ken Goatley has been bestowed the honour
the highest Wokingham Town Council can award at a civil ceremony on Saturday.
Mr. Goatley is only one of 12 to receive the title in the council’s 112 year existence.
Mr. Goatley said he was honoured and surprised that he was someone who would
get such an award and gave a set of six silver spoons to the town in appreciation. He
paid tribute to his wife, Edna, who he said had put up with his love for local history
and was given a bunch of flowers.
Mr. Goatley joins the heady ranks of past town Mayors and the 10,000 members of
the R.E.M.E. Other honorary townspersons. He was suggested for the title because of
his untiring love for Wokingham’s history and architecture enthusing to future
generations its importance.
In a glowing eulogy, Cllr. Tina Marinos said that Mr. Goatley a worthy recipient of
the award because of his dedication. He had been given the title of Mr. Wokingham
because of his enthusiasm and unlimited knowledge about the town and the large
amount of free time he commits. Ken has produced a number of audio-visual shows
which he willingly shows to numerous charities and other groups in the district. Ken
is a walking encyclopaedia of much of Wokingham’s known history and spends a
great deal of time interviewing older residents and taping their recollections of the
town.
Additional reasons included his involvement in the Wokingham Society History
Group and the Photographic Club, National Heritage Day and keeping an eye on
planning applications.

1165