Page 444 - Reading Mercury

ago. He came to live at Wokingham, where he was always most highly respected and
esteemed. He became one of the foundation managers of St. Paul’s parochial schools,
of which for several years past he had acted as corresponding manager. He some years
back generously purchased the whole of the St. Paul’s school building and
playground, together with the parish rooms and premises adjoining, and vested them
in the Rector and trustees in March, 1911—a tablet on the clock-tower of the school
commemorating this.
N.B. In May 1911 the parishioners presented Mr. Ellison with a solid silver casket,
now known as the Ellison Casket. The casket, approximately 12 inches long, 5 inches
wide and 2 inches deep was presented to Mr. Ellison by subscription of parishioners
of St. Paul’s in gratitude and appreciation for presenting the Parish Rooms and
School together with the land. There are small enamel or porcelain miniatures of St.
Paul’s Church on one side and the Parish Room on the other. Some of the ornate
decoration seems to be the oak leaves of Wokingham. It contains an illuminated scroll
listing the names of the subscribers, and their sincere appreciation. The casket is now
kept in the town hall and is displayed with items of the town silver on special
occasions.
A whole-hearted son of the church, Mr. Ellison did much else for the parish he so
loved, being a generous subscriber to the various church funds and institutions, and
making handsome contributions towards the restoration of the roof and other
improvements, and giving largely to the parochial institutions and to the Nurses’
Fund, etc. He was the parish warden for many years.
He was a member of the Wokingham Town Council from 1902-1910, giving his
services as Mayor’s auditor and rendering valuable help in the management of the
affairs of the town, his expert knowledge of administration and finance being highly
appreciated by his colleagues. He, more than once, declined to accept the chief
magistracy. He held the position of lieutenant in the Boys Brigade, in which he was
most interested, and he did good work indeed when he acquired the old St. Paul’s
Parish Room on The Terrace (where the art classes used to be held) and in the long
garden at the rear fitted up a miniature rifle range, which has proved of so much
service to the members of the Rifle Club.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, the internment being in a new
brick grave, which was very beautifully lined with bright-coloured flowers by the
gardener. Muffled peals were rung both before and after the service.

th
Sat 13 Nov
J. Taylor was re-elected Town Crier; C. Sparkes Mace Bearer; Hon. Constables: W.H.
Wilson, A.J. Rodgers, R. Turner and E. Jeffrey.

1916

st
Sat 1 Jan
THE NATIONAL EGG COLLECTION
One thousand one hundred and sixty-four new-laid eggs in addition to the weekly
st
collection were sent on December 21 from the Wokingham District Depot as a
Christmas gift and gratitude to our wounded soldiers.

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