Page 432 - Reading Mercury

ELECTRIC THEATRE (WOKINGHAM PICTURE PALACE)
The opening of this place of amusement took place on Monday afternoon. The Mayor
(Councillor W. T. Martin) opened the proceedings and switched on the first film. Mr.
Vince, a director, thanked the Mayor for his kindness. A selection of films was then
exhibited. The theatre was filled at the evening performance

th
Sat. 24 May
Miss Anne Heelas died, age 82, at the Terrace. Daughter of the late John Heelas of
the Holt.

1914

Sat 17th Jan
Fire Brigade Wedding-At St. Paul’s Church on Monday, Mr Weston B Martin, son of
Mr & Mrs H Martin of Denmark Street was wedded to Miss Margaret Emily
Smallbone of St. Leonard’s, Wokingham, only daughter of Mr S Smallbone. The
bride was attended by Master Joey Dearlove who acted as page dressed in fireman’s
uniform.
The bridegroom was driven to the church in a fire engine accompanied by the
brigade including the Marquis of Downshire who acted as driver and Lord
Hillsborough. Mr Martin has been a member of the brigade for 23 years and that body
presented him with a clock. A reception was afterwards held at Fernleigh, home of the
bridegroom’s brother.

Sat 14th Feb
Alderman Heron’s wife died Thursday last week at 22 Market Place.

Sat 9th May
MOTOR FIRE ENGINE FOR WOKINGHAM
LADY DOWNSHIRE OPENS BAZAAR
The Marchioness of Downshire, in the presence of a large company of residents of the
town and district on Wednesday afternoon formally opened a grand bazaar in the Drill
Hall, Wokingham in aid of a new motor fire engine, which it is proposed to purchase
for the borough. The Wokingham Fire Brigade, which has been in existence nearly 40
years, has done valuable and efficient work in the past with their horse manual but it
was felt that it should become more up to date and secure a motor fire engine, which
will enable the brigade to cope more thoroughly with any outbreak which may occur
in the town and ever increasing populous district of Wokingham Without.
The Marquis of Downshire, who is High Steward of the Borough and also Chief
Officer of the Fire Brigade, started a subscription list with £100, and of the £725
required upwards of £644 had been raised by private subscription before Wednesday’s
final effort to secure another £100.
So excellent was the response to the appeal made by a committee of the Brigade,
that a Dennis patent turbine motor fire engine was ordered from the makers at
Guildford, and this will soon be delivered. The engine is from 40 to 45 horsepower,
has a current of from 200 to 250, with 1,200 feet of hose and a 60 feet jet, and is
capable of travelling 30 miles an hour. As stated the price is £725.
On Wednesday a new sister engine belonging to the Farnborough Fire Brigade was
brought over by Chief Officer Collins, and it was on view in the Drill Hall yard.

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