Page 669 - Reading Mercury

Fuller entertained and also organised competitions. The pupils of Mr. C. Jones gave
first-class exhibitions of combined dancing, and a tiny performer came and danced
“Little Bo-Peep.” Mrs. Hall accompanied at the piano. Cllr. F.S. Perkins acted as
compere. C.O. W.B. Martin and two firemen, two St. John Ambulance Brigade
members and two Boy Scouts were also in attendance. Prizes were presented by the
Mayor, with a special prize by the Mayoress. The Mayor expressed thanks to Mr.
Fuller, and little Freddie Kemp handed a bouquet to the Mayoress. Florence Collins,
one of the evacuees, expressed their thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress. Father
Christmas (Cllr. S.L. Bowyer) presented each child with a packet of sweets from the
Mayor.

OLD FOLKS’ PARTY
On Wednesday the annual old folks' party was given by the Wokingham Wesley
Guild in the schoolroom of the Methodist Church, Rose Street. The Mayor and
Mayoress, Dr. and Mrs. Perkins and Mrs. Shaw were present. A programme of music
and recitations, interspersed with community singing, went off with zest. Recitations
were given by Miss Head and Mr. T.M. Welch, and a song by Mr. G. Butler.
The attendance, for obvious reasons, was smaller than usual. The room was
decorated with festoons and greenery, while small Christmas trees adorned the tables.
Dr. Perkins welcomed the guests and greeted the visitors. The Mayor expressed
sympathy with the effort and extended the season’s wishes to all. Tea followed.
Mr. J.D. Trowel, A.R.C.M., acted as accompanist at the piano, and Mr. B. Butler
compered the programme. At the close Dr. Perkins thanked Mr. Welch and all those
who had arranged the party, also Messrs. B. and G. Butler and Mrs. Trowell. A
number of presents were bestowed upon the visitors.

1940
th
Sat 6 Jan
WOKINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL
Employees And War Service
At a meeting of Wokingham Town Council, presided over by the Mayor (Cllr. E.W.
Reeves) on Thursday, it was agreed that married men on the permanent staff who
undertake war service shall have their wages made up to the full amount, and single
men shall have theirs made to 75%.
With reference to employees of the council who cease to serve in their civil capacity
st
on or after January 1 1940, in order to undertake war service, the following
recommendations were made concerning all employees who were in permanent
st
employ on Sept. 1 1939, and who on or after that date ceased or will cease to serve in
their civil capacity in order to undertake war service:--Married employee, to be paid a
sum equal to the full civil pay which he would have received had he continue to serve
in his civil capacity, less his war service pay; single employee (including a widower
without dependants), to be paid a sum equal to 75% of the civil pay which he would
have received had he continued to serve in his civil capacity, less his war service pay.
Cases of hardship should be considered and dealt with upon their merits. War service
pay includes marriage, family and similar allowances.
Cllr. S.J. Miles moved the reference back of the recommendation, saying it was
unfair to distinguish between married and single men in this case when no distinction
was made between them in other respects. “We must assume that we have paid each
man according to his ability and to the work he has to perform,” he said.

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