Page 247 - Reading Mercury

Wednesday last was quite a gala day at Wokingham, for, in addition to the
interesting ceremony of the installation of Lord Braybrooke as the High Steward of
the town, some of the clubs celebrated their anniversaries, and there was consequently
a good number of holiday folks congregated together. In the early part of the week the
weather was very wet and unfavourable, but on Tuesday night an agreeable change
occurred, and the next morning was as fine and promising as could be desired........
Throughout the whole day the sun shone brilliantly, and gave a zest to the proceedings
of the interesting occasion.
The newly-elected High Steward having intimated his intention off arriving by the
mid-day train from London, the Corporation issued handbills, inviting the inhabitants
to meet at the Railway Station, and join them in giving a cordial welcome to the
Noble Lord. The cheerful weather exerted an influence upon the people, and long
before noon, some hundreds had assembled in the station-yard.
Mr. Alderman Twycross, accompanied by members of the Corporation, wearing
their robes of office, and preceded by the sergeant-at-mace, subsequently arrived, and
took up their position on the platform. It was nearly half past twelve when the South-
Western train reached the station. Lord Braybrooke, having alighted, was most
cordially welcomed by the Alderman and Corporation, and the cheers proceeding
from the crowd were thoroughly enthusiastic. A procession having been formed, it
moved on towards the town in the following order:--
The Sunninghill Band
Members of the Roebuck Benefit Club
Superintendent Bostock
Privates of the County Police
Odd Fellows’ Society, with their regalia
Sergeant at Mace
Alderman Twycross, Lord Braybrooke
And Hon. Mr. Neville
Members of the Corporation, and Clergy.
Inhabitants of the Town
In Broad-street, the children from the different schools, numbering upwards of 500
were arranged on either side of the road, bearing small banners and flags, and the
procession passed between them. The cheers of welcome given by the juveniles were
graciously acknowledged by his Lordship, who was the object of their attention. The
procession reached the Town Hall a little before one o’clock, and then formalities
connected with the installation were gone through. Seats in the upper part of the hall
were occupied by the Alderman, Lord Braybrooke, the Corporation, the Hon. Mr.
Neville, Robert Gibson Esq., the Rev. Thomas Morres, Rev. W. Hirst, Rev. Horace
Roberts, Rev. S. Slocock, & c. &c.
(pages of long speeches followed)
The festive party broke up about three o’clock, and Lord Braybrooke having taken a
farewell of the company, left for Reading to proceed by express train to town.

th
Sat 5 June
Ditto plus John Walter’s contribution of £100.

th
Sat 12 June
REBUILDING OF THE TOWN HALL
We are happy to report that the committee appointed to carry out the re-building of
our Town-hall, continue to receive such assurances of support as to render the success

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