Page 1184 - Reading Mercury

The first piece of’ ‘public art’ to go on display in Wokingham has been unveiled
outside the town’s library. The long-awaited library sculpture was revealed to the
public in a ceremony attended by the artist, Lydia Karpinska, and representatives of
Wokingham’s Town Centre Management Initiative (TCMI).
A piece of ‘public art’ was included in the original planning application for
Wokingham’s Denmark Street library, which opened in October 1996. The T.M.C.I.
Doubled the £5,000 budget set aside for the sculpture by Wokingham District
Council, and following a public appeal for ideas for a theme, children and books
emerged as favourites to be included in the design. A Times-supported creative
writing competition was launched and the winners have since been immortalised in
bronze.
Wokingham Society History Group came up with an idea of how to make the
literary theme as close to home as possible. The sculpture is based on children’s
favourite The Water Babies, a story by former vicar of Eversley, Charles Kingsley.
The character Tom—who can be seen peeking from the spine of the book which
makes up the sculpture’s structure—was based on a child sweep James Seaward who
lived in Rose Street. A large contingent of Mr. Seaward’s descendants attended the
ceremony last Friday.
The construction of the bronze and steel sculpture was, according to Mrs.
Karpinska, very complex. It was a slow process which required a great deal of
communication with the craftsmen making the stainless steel book and casting the
bronze figures.

Wed 7 July
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RISING COSTS FORCES CLOSURE OF LISTED HOME FOR ELDERLY
The Henry Lucas Hospital, Luckley Road, Wokingham is to close in six months’
time. The hospital is the only grade 1 building in Wokingham and is home to twelve
elderly residents. The estate managers of the hospital which is owned by the Draper
Company and Hanover blamed the closure on costs saying that they could no longer
be met.
Both organisations are looking for more accommodation and have also pledged to
ensure that the elderly tenants are re-housed in Wokingham or the area of their choice.
The old hospital site which dates back to 1665 is being sold but a spokesman said that
it was too early to say to whom it was being sold and for what purpose. The residents
will remain in the hospital while talks are underway.

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Wed 14 July
Last Thursday workmen of Swan Hill Homes began to demolish Wokingham Town
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Football Club’s grounds. The next season, August 14 the team will be playing at
Stag Meadow grounds sharing with Windsor and Eton Football Club.

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Wed 21 July
TOWN THEATRE GETS GO-AHEAD FOR MAJOR REVAMP
Wokingham Theatre has secured planning permission for an extension to the north
and west sides of its premises in Cantley Park, Wokingham. The project will boost the
125-seat capacity auditorium by a further 18. The size of the foyer and bar will be
doubled and there will be enough space for a new box office and administration area.
Backstage the £170,000 project will create improved lighting and sound facilities as
well as more storage space.

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