Page 2 - Reading Mercury
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Wokingham in the News:
A Chronological History of Wokingham from local Newspapers,
1771-1999
© Jim Bell, 2022
The Wokingham Society takes great pride in hosting this eBook, painstakingly
produced by Jim Bell from original newspapers articles held in the Reading Central
Library, and recently extended back in time by some 70 years. Jim in turn wishes to
pay tribute to the late Edna Goatley, wife of the much-missed Wokingham Town
historian, Ken Goatley and herself a considerable source of local history. Edna both
encouraged and partially funded this enterprise and it is a pity that she is not here to
see the fruits of Jim’s labours.
It is Jim Bell’s wish that the material he has transcribed, representing an unparalleled
th
account of Wokingham’s development from the late 18 century, through both World
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Wars and to the end of the 20 century, should be accessible to anyone with an
interest in the town. He asks only that those using any material (copied from the Word
or PDF versions) should acknowledge its source. I helped with the proof-reading so
do let me know if you spot any errors.
Do enjoy dipping into this chronology’s pages and discover for yourselves what
Wokingham and its townsfolk were like in times past.
Peter Must
Chairman
The Wokingham Society
January 2022