Page 251 - Reading Mercury

The learned Recorder addressed the Grand Jury, congratulating them on the orderly
state of the town, as evinced by the fact of there being no case for trial, and then on
the fact of the near approach to completion of their new Town Hall, the beauty of
which he much admired, whilst the arrangements of the interior, he felt assured would
in every respect meet their requirements, as a convenient Court for the transaction of
their Sessions business. We may also add that we expect very shortly to be enabled to
announce the completion of the interior, and the time fixed for the opening
ceremonial.

th
Sat 12 Nov
NEW TOWN HALL
The rapid approach to completion of our new Town Hall having necessarily brought
to a termination the labours of the contractors’ workmen, it was felt by many of the
inhabitants that a mark of appreciation should be shown of the uniformly orderly
conduct of the men during the progress of the works. Accordingly a subscription was
set on foot, and being headed by the members of the Corporation, in a very short time
sufficient was realised to provide a supper and evening’s entertainment, and on
Monday last the party assembled and were met by several visitors at the Bush Inn,
where an excellent repast was served up. Mr. Dalley presided, and a most agreeable
evening was spent, the treat being most thoroughly enjoyed by its recipients, and they
all acknowledged with much feeling their grateful sense of the kindness shown them:
and we have no doubt they will long remember with pleasure the completion of their
part of the building of the Wokingham Town Hall.

1860

st
Sat 31 March
The preliminary steps for the formation of Wokingham Rifle Corps were taken –30
volunteers entered their names. The corps is part of Forest Division Rifles.

th
Sat 9 June Berkshire Chronicle
OPENING OF NEW TOWN HALL
th
6 June 1860
Wednesday, 6th June, was quite a gala day at Wokingham, the handsome and
ornamental new Town-Hall, which is quite an important feature in the town, being
formally opened on that day by the High Steward of the town, Richard Cornwallis
Neville, 4th Lord Braybrooke.
The old building had become so dilapidated that it was felt indispensable to erect a
new hall, in which to conduct the public business of Wokingham. The idea was taken
up with much spirit by the leading inhabitants of the town, and the gentry of the
neighbourhood gave a liberal support to the undertaking. Combined with the building
is the station for the Wokingham division of the County Constabulary, and in
consideration of the advantages to be derived from this connection the fund also
received material aid from the county. Before recording the events of the opening
ceremony we will state briefly the general features of the building.
The walls are built of black, red and white brick, harmoniously arranged, and with
considerable effect; the patterns of black bricks in the cornices and arches are of an
elegant design. A degree of prominence is given to the Town Hall by an increased
decoration in the windows and archways. The roofs are covered by green slates.

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