Page 679 - Reading Mercury

from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. Subscriptions to help with the training will be gratefully
received by Mr. E.H. Perkins, 1, Denmark Street, Wokingham, who is the hon.
secretary and treasurer.

SILVER THIMBLE FUND
The Mayoress of Wokingham writes: “I have been asked to extend an invitation to
all those in Wokingham and district who are able and willing to support the Silver
Thimble Fund. The first flying ambulance to be bought at a cost of £5,000, has been
ordered and funds are now being raised in order to purchase the second. Mrs. Lambert
of Barford House, Wokingham, has consented to act as our local organiser of the
fund. I am sure there must be many disused articles in every home such as old gold,
silver, Sheffield plate, plate, or copper in any form which could be melted down and I
appeal for a visit to your plate chest to see what can be found for this worthy cause.
The more saleable gifts are sold at 10a, high Street, Wimbledon. Mrs. Lambert will be
pleased to make arrangements for the collection if necessary, on receipt of a postcard.
Everything received will be sent to Lady Taylor, the vice-president of the fund.

WOKINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL
The Mayor, (Cllr. E.W. Reeves) presided at a meeting of the Wokingham Town
Council on Thursday, which proved to be one of the shortest on record. The
proceedings lasted less than five minutes. The following recommendations were
accepted and approved:--
In the report of the Finance Sub-Committee it was stated that 261 school children
and 11 school teachers were billeted in the borough. The billeting officers reported
compulsory billeting was not necessary, although in some cases strong persuasion was
used. Owing to overcrowding and unsuitable houses, a certain amount of re-billeting
would have to take place.
The Girl Guided, Boy Scouts, V.A.D., St. John Ambulance and W.V.S. and the
Mayoress’ Catering Committee all rendered good service, and the billeting officers
worked extremely hard.
A letter was read from the Mayor of Southwark, in which he offered to the people of
Wokingham the sincere thanks of the people of his borough for “the very evident
generosity and kindness with which they have accepted our little evacuees.”
It was agreed that the borough surveyor be authorised to spend a sum not exceeding
£200 in the purchase of stocks of building materials for use in the repair of war
damage.
It was recommended that the Town Clerk ascertained from the County Council as to
whether they would bear the cost of the erection of air raid shelters in the borough,
and it was recommended that inquiries be made as to whether the shopkeepers would
keep their shops open for the general public in the event of an air raid.

DEATH OF FORMER SADDLE MAKER AT WOKINGHAM
For more than 50 years in business at Wokingham as a saddle and harness maker,
Mr. Thomas Maris died at his home, 73, Highgrove Street, Reading, on Wednesday,
rd
at the age of 86. Mrs Maris died in February 1939, in her 83 year.
Mr. Maris came to Reading from Cambridgeshire as a young man, and he took over
the business in Market Place, Wokingham, shortly afterwards. He had made saddles
and harness for most of the prominent families in East Berkshire, and he was

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