Page 616 - Reading Mercury

Sir William’s Generosity
Introducing the Lord Mayor, Mr. R.C. Bromhead said that their objective in starting
the fund and the Provident Institution was to grapple with cases of unemployment,
distress and sickness in the industry. They invited Sir William to be president of the
fund, and he immediately responded with a donation of £1,000.
They began in a small way; in fact, in the first year they spent a mere £350 in relief.
Applications increased rapidly and last year they disbursed over £8,300 for relief, and
since the fund was founded, over 3,000 individual cases had been dealt with. Today
they had 80 life pensioners.
From the first, Sir William threw himself whole-heartedly into their endeavours.
Apart from the mansion and grounds, he had recently agreed to purchase the lodge,
and kitchen gardens and another plot of land, thus rounding off the property into one
complete entity. (Applause). The decoration and furnishing had cost over £4,300.
The calls on the fund were numerous, but the council were determined that the
responsibility of “Glebelands” should not interfere in any way with the general work
of the fund. The industry had raised more money for charitable institutions than
probably any other trade or profession, and he felt confident in appealing to the trade
for its own charity.
Mr. Bromhead then invited the Lord Mayor to declare the building open, and
handed him a golden key in appreciation of his kindness.
“Peace and rest”
The Lord Mayor said the very name of the home suggested peace and rest among
natural beauty. It was by the lavish generosity of Sir William that he was able to
unlock the door. (Applause).
The Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress and the sheriffs were thanked on the
proposition of Mr. T.H. Fligelstone (president, Cinematograph Exhibitors’
Association), seconded by Mr. F.W. Baker (past president Kinematograph Renters’
Society).
The garden party arranged was marred by the rain, but a large party stayed to
inspect the house and take tea. Music was by the Reading Temperance Military Band.
The Lord Mayor and his party had been met at Twyford Station by Mr. George
Ford, chairman of the Wokingham Rural District Council and not by the Mayor and
Mayoress of Reading as previously believed.

th
Sat 29 Aug
APPEAL FOR NEW FIRE ENGINE
An appeal has been issued by the Wokingham Fire Brigade, under the auspices of
Lord Downshire (president), Dr. H.F. Curl (hon. surgeon), Mr. W.H. Martin (C.O.),
Mr. E. Hawkins (Second Officer), and Mr. C.W. Rawlings (hon. secretary), inviting
subscriptions with a view to the purchase of a new motor fire engine, with the
necessary fitments, the total cost of which would be £1,000.
The appeal is rendered necessary by the fact that the first motor fire engine,
acquired mainly by public subscription in 1914, has recently needed frequent repairs,
while the enormous increase in the number of houses in the brigade’s area, with its
consequent increased risk of fires, makes first-class machines and equipment a
necessity. A voluntary brigade, all monies received from attendance at fires is kept
entirely apart from annual subscriptions and general expenses, and from this nest egg
about £200 can be taken for the new engine. The appeal points out the advantage to
property owners and householders of the difference in cost to them of a voluntary fire
brigade and one provided by a public authority. Donations may be sent either to

614