Page 500 - Reading Mercury

handsome clock, on, which was inscribed “Presented to Mr. Henry Bowyer in grateful
appreciation of his many kindnesses in connection with the All Saints’, Wokingham,
Parochial Fetes 1920-1925.” The rector (the Rev. B. Long) on behalf of the
committee, said how very grateful they all were to Mr. Bowyer for his generosity in
lending the field each year, catering, providing hospitality to all who came to help in
the various displays and sports and for many other kindnesses too numerous to
mention, which he and his family so willingly rendered. I was not too much to say
that without Mr. Bowyer’s help and generosity the fetes for the six years would not
have been so successful or so well carried out as they had been. Mr. Bowyer, in
acknowledging the presentation, was accorded musical honours.

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Sat 5 September
BOYS’ SCHOOL
It will be of interest to the district to hear that the residence and lands in Southlands
Road, Wokingham (formerly “Battenhurst”), have been acquired (through the agency
of J. Watts and Son) by Major A. F. St. Clair Stapleton, who is proposing to open a
day school for boys from 7 to 15 years of age, under the name of “Kilwarlin,”
Wokingham. Major Stapleton has been engaged in educational work for over 26 years
in preparatory schools and as a private teacher. He holds the highest testimonials. The
school is situate in the convenient part of Wokingham, with grounds of over four
acres, with excellent playing fields. This institution will no doubt be readily
welcomed by the inhabitants.

AEROPLANE DOWN
Shortly before noon on Monday an aeroplane ‘flew’ very low over Wixenford, then
turned and crossed the railway, and in Waterloo Road somewhat scared the residents
who feared for their roofs. Eventually it came to earth in Mr. Colebrook’s large
meadow off the London Road. The machine was in charge of flying Officer F.O.
Bassett, R.A.F., who was alone. It was a bomber on its way for delivery to the R.A.F.
and came down owing to a burst radiator and water joint. An R.A.F. lorry with a
squad of airmen was soon in attendance and a new radiator was delivered the next
day. The machine itself and the repairing operations were watched with interest by
some hundreds of people during its stay in the meadow.

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Sat 24 October
On Wednesday General and Mrs. Clifton Brown made a number of visits in
Wokingham, including the Poor Law Institution and the Nursing Homes.

ANCIENT DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
A “find” of considerable antiquity has been made at the Bush Hotel during recent
operations of the workmen in the installation of the electric light to this old-world
hostelry, the first in the town to adapt the modern system of electric lighting.
Removing an old wood panelling in the bar, a fine antique stone chimney piece was
discovered. The stone jambs stand some four feet high and support a stone lintel,
which is carved with five large circles connected with double horizontal bands, and in
each circle is the Tudor Rose. Masonry marks give the date as some 450-480 years
back. We understand that the Rev. P.H. Ditchford, Rector of Barkham, has seen the
find, in which he is very interested. There appears to be no doubt as to its antiquity.
Above the mantel piece is an old brick archway.

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