Page 244 - Reading Mercury

THE HIGH STEWARD
We have to announce that Lord Braybrooke, who has been elected High Steward,
Wokingham, in the room of his late lamented father, will attend on Wednesday next,
to take the oaths of office. His lordship is expected to arrive at the railway station
soon after twelve o’clock when he will be met by the Aldermen, recorder, and
corporation, who will conduct his lordship to the Town-hall, where the oaths will be
administered. We understand that the Alderman (James Twycross, Esq.) will
afterwards entertain his lordship and his colleagues in the corporation at a luncheon,
at his private residence.

Sat 22nd May
PROPOSED REBUILDING OF THE TOWN HALL.
For some time past a project for re-building of the Town-hall has been under
consideration, but we have abstained from publishing any particulars until the
intentions of the projectors had assumed such a shape as to warrant our doing so.
That, we are happy to say, is now the case and therefore present the following
particulars to our readers, and heartily commend the subject to their consideration and
support. The dilapidated condition of the present building has long been a source of
much regret to the inhabitants, but the want of the necessary funds to rebuild was
found to be such an impediment that it was feared no effectual remedy could be
provided; and, on the Corporation consulting an experienced architect, his report
showed that any effectual reparation was impracticable, and that to expend money for
the purpose would be utterly useless.
For some time past the County Police Committee have been seeking for a suitable
site, at Wokingham, on which to build a police-station for the Forest division, and it
was suggested that a portion of the site of the present hall would be most suitable for
the purpose. The Corporation accordingly negotiated with the police committee, with
a view that an arrangement might be made for blending the two objects in one
erection. At the last Quarter Sessions an offer of the police committee was confirmed,
by which they proposed to give the sum of £200 on condition that suitable
accommodation was provided in the new building for the police requirements. The
corporation are naturally anxious not to lose so eligible an opportunity of rebuilding
their hall, which can be accomplished for £1,500 in addition to the county grant.
The plan embraces excellent accommodation in every respect, including a
commodious Town-hall, available for municipal purposes as well as for holding the
sessions of the county magistrates, and public meetings, a council chamber, a news
and reading room, and accommodation for persons attending the markets, &c. To
accomplish this desirable end, the funds in the hands of the corporation will supply
about one third of the amount, and they earnestly request the co-operation and the
liberal assistance of their fellow-townsmen, and the residents in the neighbourhood, in
raising the remaining portion of the amount.
The plans will be submitted to a public meeting, in the Town-hall, on Wednesday
th
next, the 26 inst., at three o’clock in the afternoon, when we hope there will be a
large attendance to lend a unanimous support to carry out an object of so much
importance to our town; as the inconvenience of the present antiquated building has
long been felt, whenever on public occasions it has been used, as the lowness of the
ceiling, rendered it unfit for musical entertainments, and insufferable hot when many
were present; whilst at balls, public dinners, sessions, and meetings the want of
retiring rooms, and often necessary conveniences, has been always the subject of
complaints and annoyance.

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