Page 245 - Reading Mercury

In the new building all these inconveniences, of course are obviated, whilst avoiding
any unnecessary ornamentation, an erection of elegant design and taste will reflect
much credit on Wokingham, and be found in keeping with the requirements of our
increasing and improving town and neighbourhood. We will only add, at present, that
communications may be addressed, and subscriptions remitted, to Mr. Edward
Roberts, the town clerk

th
Sat 29 May
PROPOSED REBUILDING OF THE TOWN HALL
According to the announcement, a public meeting of the inhabitants was held in the
afternoon, in the Town Hall, for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting
measures secure the rebuilding of the Town Hall in connexion with a County Police
Station. There was a large number of persons present. Mr. Alderman Twycross
presided. On the bench were Robert Gibson, Esq., Capt. L. Gower, R. Falconer, Esq.,
Messrs. W. Heelas, J.L. Roberts, W. Wheeler, T. Cooke and E. Dalley. There were in
the room Mr. John Heelas, Mr. Weeks, Mr. T. Dunning, Mr. Barford, Mr. Baker, Mr.
Goodchild, Mr. Watts, Mr. Meloy, &c., &c.
On the table was placed the design, prepared by Mr. J.B. Clacy, the county
surveyor. It is in the Elizabethan style of architecture, and proposes to retain the old
admired chimney. This, with the clock and bell turret, ninety feet in height, would
have an effective and handsome appearance on entering the town from each direction.
The place comprises on the ground floor, large space for covered market, room for
mechanics and literary institution, fie engine house; also, guard room, cells for
prisoners. Offices and yard for the county police. On the first floor are situate, the
commodious Town-hall, with orchestra and suitable conveniences, the council
chamber, room for Savings Bank, with strong room adjoining, and rooms and
dormitories for the constabulary.
Mr. Alderman Twycross opened the proceedings of the meeting by saying, the
dilapidated state of the Town Hall had long been a subject of deep concern to the
Corporation, and an opportunity then presented itself of rebuilding that fabric in
connexion with a County Police Station. On the state of the building being brought
under the notice of the authorities they consulted an experienced architect, whose
report, demonstrated that any effectual reparation was impracticable and that any
outlay with that object would be quite nugatory. Soon after this report was obtained, it
was made known to the corporation that the county intended to erect a police station
in the town, for the Forest division, and it was suggested that if the site of the Town
Hall, or a sufficient part of it, could be made available for the purpose, the corporation
would, by acting in concert with the county, be enabled to secure the required
accommodation at a much less cost by undertaking to rebuild the hall themselves. A
negotiation with the police committee was accordingly entered into, with a view to
carry out the objects of both parties, which resulted in the offer by the committee to
procure a grant of £2,000 on condition that the site was properly conveyed to the
county, and suitable accommodation provided for the police in the new building. This
arrangement was confirmed at the last Quarter Sessions. The corporation are naturally
anxious not to lose so eligible an opportunity of rebuilding the hall. They are advised
that, without entrenching on the requirements of the police committee, they can
accomplish that object at a cost of £1,500, in addition to the county grant. The sum
would enable them to obtain a commodious hall, available as well for municipal
purposes as for holding the Petty Sessions of the County Justices of the division, and
also for public meetings, a council chamber, a news and reading room, and

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