Page 574 - Reading Mercury

Opened by the Mayor
The completion of the newly-built Post Office, Wokingham, and its opening to the
public was formally celebrated at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
A considerable number of the leading residents assembled on the pavement outside
the fine new building in Broad Street. These included the Mayor (Alderman A.E.
Priest) and Mayoress, Miss Robinson, Mr. W.C. Lucas (head postmaster) Mr. F.
Stokes, his second, Alderman R.S. Whaley, Councillors G.C. Wilson and Major T.W.

(Reading Mercury)

Greenstreet, Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton (Town Clerk), Mr. C. W. Marks (surveyor),
Mrs. F.E. Chapman, Supt. Goddard, Mrs. Whaley, Miss N. Butler, Miss L. Butler, Mr.
C. Sparkes (sergeant-at-mace), Mr. W. Thatcher etc.
Mr. Lucas, on behalf of the Post Office apologised for the unavoidable absence of
Mr. Grierson (surveyor) and Mr. Dyke (chief architect). Mr. Lucas mentioned that the
back portion of the premises (comprising the sorting offices and telephone exchange
etc.) was built by the late Alderman Hughes, whose memory they all revered, and the
front building, the public office, by Mr. W.A. James, of Maidenhead. The work, with
certain delays, had occupied about three years during which time the Post Office
business had to be carried on without interruption, and there had never been a hitch of
any kind. It was hard for outsiders to realise all the difficulties which had to be
overcome—such as trenches across the road when the mails were arriving and
leaving. The Post Office felt greatly indebted to the contractors and foremen for
willing co-operation. The building was a credit to their skill and labour. It was in the
late Georgian style of multi-coloured bricks with Portland stone facings. It had been
the aim that the architectural view should agree as much as possible with the principal
buildings in that wide street. It had cost £20,000. The woodwork inside consisted of
the choicest English oak and the counters of Empire mahogany. The carpentry work
had been done by a Wokingham man throughout, and they were very proud of it. The
counter screens and the whole of the accessory fittings were in the very latest style.
The Mayor then drew stamps from the outside slot machines, and posted two letters
in the new posting box.
Mr. Lucas then handed the Mayor the key of the large front door, receiving which
his Worship said he felt it a very great pleasure and pride to have been asked to open
that very handsome new Post Office. He and his colleagues of the Town Council very
much appreciated the very great privilege that had been given them. Wokingham felt
entitled to good things, and in that very handsome new Post Office they had
something they could well be proud of. With the demolition of the old Post Office
they were to see the retirement of their old postmaster, Mr. Lucas, which they all

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