Page 537 - Reading Mercury

Concert, Church House: stewards, Messrs. B. Smith, F. Reeves and T. Herring.
Whist drive: Organiser, Mr. A. Andrews.
Carnival mystery: Organiser, Mr. G. Webb.
Weight of coal, given by Mr. W.G. Jefferies.
Clock competition, clock presented by Mr. A.E. Crew.

th
Sat 9 Nov.
DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MRS. A.J. NICHOLSON
Her many friends in Wokingham received with deep regret the news that Mrs.
Letitia Marian Nicholson, widow of Mr. Alfred James Nicholson, of “Glebelands, ”
and “High Close,” Wokingham, and who herself had resided also at “Chetwood,”
Wokingham, passed away at her residence, 1, Iverna Gardens, London, aged 73. Her
body was cremated, and the ashes were on Saturday brought in a polished wood
casket to All Saints’, Wokingham with which Mrs. Nicholson had for many years
been closely associated. Her three sons, lost in the war since her husband’s decease,
are commemorated in the roll of honour of All Saints’ Church.
The funeral service was conducted by the rector, the Rev. B. Long (R.D.), and Mr.
A Yould, F.R.C.O., was at the organ.
(mourners listed)

INTERESTING DISCOVERIES AT SHUTE END
To those who appreciate objects of antiquity, the recent discoveries at Shute End,
Wokingham, where the old Grosvenor House School premises are in course of
renovation, will prove of exceptional interest. The facings of the building, which
looked so solid, have proved, now that the outer covering has been removed, to have
been of lath and plaster, both inside and out. The framework, however, is of old oak
ship timber, such as is to be seen in many ancient buildings near to the banks of the
Thames. The curved shapes of many of these bulky beams tell their own story. There
is much of this timber in and around Wokingham; and there is a quantity of it in the
building of the old Grosvenor House School at Shute End.
While removing the plaster surfaces of the house front, the men uncovered some
interesting carvings, which, at one time, embellished the cabins of the captains and
officers of old time men-of-war. In a back room, where the plaster covered up the
walls, there have been discovered portions of a Tudor period fire place. The stones are
broken, and not any of the fragments are of large size, but it is almost certain that they
formed part of the archway of a Tudor fire place of centuries ago. Upon them are
carved the Tudor Roses. In this same room, also beneath the modern planked flooring,
there has been found the original brick flooring, which was laid when the original
house was built. The whole building will be a quaint and picturesque specimen of
mediaeval architecture when Messrs. Brown and Son, the builders, who have the work
in hand, have completed their operations.

th
Sat 16 Nov
THE TOWN BAND
The annual meeting of the Town Band was held: on Thursday last week in St. Paul’s
Parish Room. The president (the Mayor, Councillor E. S, Whaley) presided.
The statement of accounts read by the secretary, Mr. F. Avery, showed a satisfactory
balance, an increase in income of £40 9s. 6d. above the year 1928, and £48 18s. 2d.
above 1927. The Mayor congratulated the band on its progress.

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