Page 698 - Reading Mercury

the town, and, on his suggestion, the council agreed to send to the relatives a message
of condolence.

st
Sat 21 June
HUT ERECTED AT COST OF £1,800
As the result of the success of a Church Army canteen marquee for the Forces at
Wokingham, a permanent “Pilgrim Trust” hut has been erected on the same site, and
was opened by Lord Daryngton on Saturday. The hut, which was built by the Church
Army at a cost of £1,800, includes a small chapel, a canteen, stage, writing tables,
games and a piano.
At the opening ceremony the Mayor of Wokingham (Cllr. E.W. Reeves) said that
Wokingham was most grateful to the Church Army for its work in the district. The
popularity of the marquee that was previously used was an indication that the hut
would be well patronised. The proceeds of the Wokingham Violet Day collection,
which was being held on that day, would be contributed towards the cost of the hut. “I
feel that after the war this building could be a place round which the social activities
of those who have returned from the Forces could centre,” he said.
Lord Daryngton summarised the national work of the Church Army, of which he is
president, and declared the canteen open, after which the Rev. G. Kenworthy, rector
of All Saints’, Wokingham, dedicated the chapel.
Tea was served from the canteen, during which selections were given by a military
band.

th
Fri 8 Aug
DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR. HENRY BOWYER
A LOSS TO WOKINGHAM AND DISTRICT
After 7 months illness at his home at Ashridge Farm, Wokingham, Mr. Henry
Bowyer one of Wokingham's, and indeed Berkshire's, best known and most popular
farming personalities passed peacefully away, on July 30th. His funeral, which took
place at All Saints’, Wokingham was attended by some 400 people including
representatives from the many institutions with which he was connected or supported.
Floral tributes totalled 131.
It was in 1892 that the late Mr. Henry Bowyer commenced farming at Ashridge as
Bailiff and continued in this position for 14 years. He then accepted the offer from his
employer to take the farm over on his own account. This was a fine tribute to a good
servant and farmer. For another 35 years he successfully farmed Ashridge thus at the
time of his death he had been connected with it for nearly 50 years. A member of the
Wokingham and District Agricultural Association he was an expert grower of Root
crops and specialised in Mangolds for which he won numerous prizes. As a judge his
services were much in demand by agricultural show societies. In addition to farming
his business interest extended to the successful businesses carried on under the name
of Henry Bowyer and Son at Peach Street, Wokingham and at High Street,
Camberley.
The late Henry Bowyer and Ashridge Farm will live long in the memory of the
Sporting community for Ashridge has been the venue of upwards of 30 Point to Point
Race meetings, hundreds of Hunt meetings, numerous shows and Fetes. At all these
he dispensed his hospitality with the generosity for which he was noted. Among the
thousands entertained at Ashridge, Royalty are included, H.R.H. The Duke of
Gloucester visited the Farm on several occasions. A personal letter from His Royal
highness was a proud possession of the late Henry Bowyer. It can be truly said of him

696