Page 664 - Reading Mercury

WOKINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Ald.Martin And His A.R.P. Shelters
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
An invitation to the public of Wokingham to use the air raid shelters he has
constructed in his grounds was made by Ald. W.T. Martin at the meeting of the
Wokingham Town Council on Thursday evening. After the air raid warning on
Wednesday, Ald. Martin said, there was a good deal of questioning as to whether the
general public could use his shelters. “They are open day and night,” he continued,
“for any of the public to come in free of charge providing they do not bring cats and
dogs. The other morning we had one or two cats and dogs and they caused a certain
amount of annoyance. The shelter in Milton Road, at the bottom of the car park, will
accommodate from two to three hundred, while the one opposite my front door will
take about 400 people, so there is ample room for everybody. There we think they will
be safe from anything except a direct hit.”
The Mayor, (Cllr. J. Egerton Thorpe), in thanking Ald. Martin, said he had arranged
for two special constables to go on duty at the shelters as soon as the siren was blown,
and take charge.
At the council meeting on Food Control, Committee was appointed to serve for one
year. It is composed of the following:-- Ordinary members: The Mayor (Cllr. J.
Egerton Thorpe), Alds. Priest and Whaley, Cllrs. Fullbrook, Lawrence, Sale, Dr.
Smith and Miss Wescott, Mrs. A.M. Bland, Mr. C.W. Marks; trade members: Messrs.
S.A. Pither, J.H. Bristow, F.J. Searle, H.C. Salmon and E.C. Peggs.
At the beginning of the meeting the Mayor said that as it was the first council
meeting since war had been declared, he would like to take that opportunity of saying
how grateful they were to the Town Clerk, the billeting officer and all those who had
assisted him in the successful reception of the evacuated children. Thanks were also
due to the people in Wokingham who had taken in those refugees and were making
them as happy as possible in the circumstances. “I should like to impress that what we
are experiencing at present is not a war, but just a lull in the war. The Germans are at
present busy mopping up the Poles and then they will proceed to deal with us.”
Dr. Smith said there was another person who should be thanked in connection with
the evacuation and that was the Mayor, while Miss Wescott said the Mayoress should
also receive their thanks.

Sat 16th Sept
THE EVACUATION SCHEME
Local scholars are now attending their respective schools in the morning and the
evacuees in the afternoon, each section occupying 3½ hours.

BRITISH LEGION
The Winnersh (Wokingham) branch is holding its usual Monday night whist drives,
and arrangements are to be made to provide amusements and games for evacuees in
the district.

THE WRONG PURPOSE
Residents have complained about the dumping of rubbish outside the public dug-out
shelter on the corner of Denmark Street and Langborough Road. As recently as
Wednesday, pieces of timber were placed across the entrance in such a manner that
serious accident might have been caused to persons using the shelter in an emergency.

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