Page 328 - Reading Mercury

1882

th
Sat 28 Jan
THE WOKINGHAM VOLUNTEERS
OPENING OF THE NEW DRILL HALL
A ceremony of much interest and of great importance to the town and
neighbourhood of Wokingham took place on Wednesday evening when the new Drill
Hall, built at the expense of Captain A.F. Walter, for the use of the Wokingham
Company of the Berks. Volunteers, was opened by Col. Sir R. Loyd Lindsay, V.C.,
M.P., at a dinner given by Captain Walter.
The Hall is built on a spacious site in Denmark-street, and is a very handsome and
fine building—by far the best room in Wokingham. It is divided into seven bays, and
is 70 ft. long by 33 ft. wide, the height to the ridge being 30 ft.; it is entered by a nice
porch, and has an armoury and stores at the back, with separate entrances. The
material used is red brick, relieved with bands of yellow and grey brick, and with
bands of “diaper work” on the exterior. There is a double floor, the top being of pitch
pine. A dado of pitch pine runs around the walls, and the roof is finished with an
ornamental cornice of the same wood. The roof is of wood and iron, and is extremely
well lighted from the top, Rendall’s patent glazing being used; and the ventilation is
also excellent. Artificial light is well supplied by means of three Sugg’s 100-candle
burners. The Hall is furnished with a moveable platform so that it can be used for
other purposes such as lectures and entertainments, which will be of great value to the
town as the Hall will accommodate about 500 persons.
The Hall is approached from Denmark-street by an archway between four cottages
which have been built in a style corresponding with the hall. There is also a spacious
courtyard in which the men can be drilled in fine weather.
Mr. F.W. Albury, of Reading, was the architect and the building has been well
carried out by Mr. T.M. Wescott, of Wokingham.

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Sat 4 Feb
VOLUNTEER BALL
st
The annual ball of the L Company 1 Berks Rifles took place in the New Drill Hall
on Thursday evening. The arrangements for the ball and the accommodation of those
invited were excellently carried out by the committee which consisted of Colour-
Sergt. Hunton, Sergt.-Instructor McEwan, Sergts: Wix and Smale, Corps: Brant,
Dowsett, Chambers, and Shrimpton. Privates: Henderson and Lush, and Sergt.
Harvey, secretary. The music was supplied by a quadrille band selected from the band
of the regiment, under the conductorship of Bandmaster H. Roberts. Dancing
commenced soon after nine o’clock. The proceeds, after payment of expenses, will be
devoted to the Volunteer Prize Fund.

BERKS FRIENDLY SOCIETY
The annual meeting of the Wokingham branch of this society was held on Monday
evening. Mr. S.A. Hankey occupied the chair, and there were also present the Rev. E.
Sturges, Rev. G.E.D, De Vitre, and Mr. E. Nicholson (hon. members); Mr. A. Burrett
(representative member); the local agent, and many of the assurance and deposit
members. The accounts for last year showed the society to be in a satisfactory
condition and increasing in numbers. The same committee and officers were

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