Page 610 - Reading Mercury

In a witty speech, Mr. F.E. Chapman proposed the health of the “Post Office Staff,”
and in complimentary terms referred to the efficiency of the Wokingham staff. After
remarking on the officials’ knowledge, intelligence and patience, the speaker added,
“There are some people in this town whose handwriting is a perfect disgrace.”
Responding, Mr. J.R. Jay said the Post Office received numerous letters of
complaint, but few commendations. However, when these did arrive they made very
pleasant reading. The Post Office staff comprised 200,000 people, who were doing
their best for the public. They were trying to remove that aloofness, and the P.O.
intended to take the public into their confidence more in the future.
An excellent programme was contributed by Mr. Gilbert Savigor (songs), Mr. P.J.
Silbrett (conjuring), and Mr. Golothan gave a humorous monologue.
Afterwards the room was cleared for dancing, music being supplied by the
Bohemian Dance Orchestra.

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Sat 25 Jan
EDWARD VIII IS PROCLAIMED KING
At noon on Wednesday amid full civic pomp and dignity, the Mayor Alderman F.J.
Barrett read the Proclamation of his Majesty King Edward VIII to a crowded audience
in the Market Place. A large platform had been erected, facing Denmark Street, and
upon this were, in addition to His Worship, the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. F.J. Curr, the
Town Clerk Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton; Aldermen F.B. Eustace (admiral, wearing his
decorations); A.E. Priest, F. Sale and E.S. Whaley (Alderman W.T. Martin was absent
through illness), Councillors A.H.L. Beale, S.L. Bowyer, G.A. Cheeseman, C.
Goddard, H. Goddard, F.S. Perkins, E.W. Reeves, S.E. Sale, J.E. Thorpe, E. Ward,
Miss D. Wescott and G.C. Wilson, with the Borough Surveyor Mr. C.W. Marks; also
Sergt. C. Sparkes with the mace draped; the Town Crier, Mr. H. Banks; the four
Honorary Constables, their historic staves draped; the Marquis of Downshire, the
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Hon.. Mrs. Corfield, C.C. the Major J.H. Passmore C.O. D. (S) Company, 4
Battalion Royal Berks. Regiment (T), Mr. A. Andrews, with draped standard,
representing the Wokingham Branch of the British Legion, the Rev. G. Kenworthy,
Rector of Wokingham, the Rev. Viscount Mountmorres (St. Paul’s), the Rev. A.F.
Carr (St. Sebastian’s), the Rev. J. Conolly (Baptist), the Rev. E.F. Rolls (Methodist),
the Mayoress (Mrs. F.J. Barrett), and Mrs. Eustace.
The Town Crier, in his picturesque uniform rang his bell and cried, “Silence for the
Mayor.”
His Worship then read the Proclamation in clear audible tones.
Representative local bodies formed his interested audience. Children from the
following schools were present with their teachers: The Palmer Schools, St. Paul’s
School, the Wescott Road Council School, Wokingham County Council Girls’
School, the Convent School, Luckley School, Grosvenor School. Others present were
Colonel H.I.E. Palmer (representing Wokingham Boy Scouts), Miss Denis De Vitre
(Girl Guides), C.O. W.B. Martin (Wokingham Fire Brigade), who, with his stalwart
men had formed this guard of honour for the Mayor from the Town Hall to the Market
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Place platform, Sgt. Major [Wenyer?], Instructor of D (S) Company 4 Battalion
Royal Berks Regiment (T) was also present in his uniform.
Following the reading of the Proclamation, prayers were offered by the Rev. G.
Kenworthy after which “Oh God Our Help in ages past” was sung led by Mr. A.
Yould, F.R.C.O.

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