Page 625 - Reading Mercury

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Sat 15 May
WOKINGHAM’S FESTIVITIES FOR THE CORONATION OF KING GEORGE VI
Children Play an Important Part
The pealing of church bells heralded Coronation Day at Wokingham, and the
inhabitants had spared no pains to make the little town its brightest. The spirit of
gaiety was abroad and everyone seemed determined to make the best of a most
ambitious and full day’s programme.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham (Alderman and Mrs. F.J. Barrett) were
among the busiest people, and they joined in the fun in a wholehearted manner.
Outstanding among the decorations in the town was the Town Hall and entrance to the
Fire Station, which was looking most attractive with bunting etc., relieved by
evergreens, making the whole layout distinctive and original. Owing to the rain in the
evening, the dancing in the Market Place had to be cancelled.
Councillor and Mrs. E.F. Smith offered to give a Savings Certificate to each baby
born in the borough during Coronation Week, and Coronation souvenirs were given to
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babies born between May 1 and May 12 , and any babies born on Coronation Day.
CORONATION BABY
Wokingham’s Coronation baby was a boy, born to Mrs. Cane, of 3, Woosehill Lane,
Wokingham, and he will be called George Edward.
The smooth working of the celebrations was a tribute to the labours of the various
committees who were responsible for the arrangements. It can be said that everything
went off without a hitch, and the schedule was generally well observed. The principal
committee was the General Executive Committee, which comprised: The Mayor
(chairman) the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Dr. H.F. Curl) and Councillor S.L. Bowyer
(representing the General Entertainment Committee), the Rev. J. Conolly and
Councillor G.E. Thorpe (representing the Sports Committee), Alderman Philip Sale
and Councillor A.H.L. Beale (representing the Planting Committee), Councillor G.C.
Wilson and Alderman E.S. Whaley (representing the Decorations Committee), the
Mayoress (Mrs. Barrett) and Miss D. Sale (representing the Senior Tea Committee),
the Deputy Mayoress (Miss E.E. Curl) and Councillor Miss D. Wescott (representing
the Children’s Tea Committee), the Rev. G. Kenworthy (representing the Service
Committee, the Town Clerk (Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton) the Borough Surveyor (Mr.
C.W. Marks), Mr. H.W. Leaver (hon. treasurer) and Miss Harwood (hon. secretary).
Other committees were: General Entertainment Committee: the Deputy Mayor
(chairman), the Mayor, Aldermen: J.B. Eustace and Whaley, Councillors Bowyer,
W.C. Fullbrook, D. Goddard, S.J. Miles, Miss Wescott and Wilson, Messrs Bagley,
Browne and Maidment, Chief Officer W.B. Martin, Supt. E.J. Braby, Major E.
Denley, the Hon. Mrs. Corfield, Mr. J. Langley and Major J.B. Passmore.
Sports Committee: the Rev. J. Conolly (chairman), the Mayor and Deputy Mayor,
Alderman A.E. Priest and sale, Councillors Beale, H. Lush, F.S. Perkins, S. Sale, E. F.
Smith and Thorpe, Mrs Petersen, Messrs. Bagley, Browne and Maidment, Colonel H.
I.E. Palmer, Misses Finch, M. Goddard and R. Smith, Messrs H. Brooker, J. Goddard,
Meacham, Moles and Wilkins and Scoutmaster Wilson.

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Sat 29 May
WOKINGHAM’S NEW CINEMA
Mayor to Perform Opening Ceremony

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