Page 609 - Reading Mercury

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Sat 18 Jan
WOKINGHAM’S WELCOME
New Postmaster Honoured
“REMOVING ALOOFNESS”
Wokingham’s new postmaster, Mr. J.T. Golothan, received a cordial welcome on
Saturday evening, when the staff organised a social gathering at Wokingham Town
Hall. The arrangements were in the hands of the social committee, with Mr. F.W.
Stokes as chairman. Mr. Stokes, who presided at Saturday evening’s function, was
supported by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham (Alderman F.J. Barrett and
Mrs. Barrett), Alderman P. Sale, Mr. J.R. Jay (surveyor for the South Midland
District), Mr. R.K. Shipp (manager of Westminster Bank, Wokingham), the Rev. A.P.
Carr (Vicar of St. Sebastian’s), the Rev. R.F. Guyton (Baptist Minister, Wokingham),
Dr. Kempton, Dr. E.F. Smith, Mr. F.E. Chapman, Miss Beryl Stokes, Councillors C.
Goddard, S. Bowyer, Miss Wescott, and S. Sale, Mr. S.J. Bilham, Mr. Charles
Bowyer, Miss Maggie Jackson (Wokingham Carnival Queen), and others.
After supper apologies were read from General Clifton Brown M.P., the Marquis of
Downshire, and Mr. .W. Marks (Borough Surveyor).
The loyal toast was given by the chairman, who also proposed “The Head
Postmaster.”
Mr. Stokes said the invitations that had been issued had given the staff a tremendous
amount of pleasure, and they were pleased to have the public with them in their
leisure.
Welfare of the Staff
They welcomed their new Head Postmaster (Mr Golothan) and hoped that he would
spend many years with them. Mr. Golothan, who was installed in November, made his
first concern the welfare of the staff. The staff responded by arranging that reception,
for he, Mr. Stokes, was sure that when Mr. Golothan left Wokingham there would be
no cause for celebration. They regretted that Mrs. Golothan was unable to attend
through the illness of their son, to whom they wished a speedy recovery.
Mr. Golothan, who was accorded musical honours, said it was usual for a
postmaster to be welcomed in that way. He had heard of them being kicked out.
(Laughter). He thanked them for their good wishes and hoped that the good feeling
that had been manifested would continue during his stay in Wokingham. He would
always do what he could for the staff. “As long as each member is treated as a
personality there will be no complaints,” he added. It was more than a compliment to
receive that welcome, he concluded.
“The Visitors” was submitted by Mr. S.J. Bilham, who said he was sorry so many
had been turned away that evening. It was a good augury that the public should be
able to join with them. A function of that kind would improve the relations between
the Post Office and the public.
The Town Council’s Welcome
The Mayor, in reply, said he was also in an unusual position, being a visitor in his
own parcel. (Laughter). The Town Council and the townspeople welcomed their new
Head Postmaster and hoped that his stay would be a long one. He would have the
support of the Council, which had always been afforded previous Postmasters, and he
(Alderman Barrett) was sure that Mr. Golothan would receive consideration from the
public. He, for one, had been sorry for the poor fellows who had been delivering
letters during last month, which was the wettest he could remember.
Handwriting a Perfect Disgrace

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