Page 753 - Reading Mercury

by the committee of the local Ladies’ Guild of the British Sailors’ Society, and was
organised for them by Mr. D. Woodhams. Thanks are due to him and his very willing
helpers.
We understand that arrangements are already being made to hold a summer Fete the
same as last year, in aid of the British Sailors’ Society, full particulars of which will
be published in due course.

H.G. RIFLE CLUB
We learn that the .22 Range is now open at the Drill Hall on Monday and
Wednesday evenings for practice, and on Saturday evenings for matches and
competitions.
A full bore shoot has been arranged at Sandhurst on Sunday April 29th

BUS SHELTER DAMAGED
On Thursday last, an Army Red Cross ambulance struck the overhanging gutter of
the new bus shelter outside the Town Hall, tearing off the gutter and causing damage
to the roof and structure. Fortunately there was nobody under the shelter at the time.

th
Fri 11 May
WOKINGHAM AND DISTRICT CELEBRATE VE DAY (WT)
Scenes of Restrained-Sober but Thankful Jubilance
The official declaration of Victory in Europe day, was celebrated in Wokingham
and throughout East Berkshire, with sober restraint. With a few exceptions, there were
no scenes of wild enthusiasm, the populace generally, preferring to observe VE DAY
in the privacy of their homes. To many whose husbands and sons are still fighting in
the Far East, this was not their occasion for rejoicing—their day will come, with the
cessation of the Japanese conflict.
Flags, bunting and streamers were prolific, and displayed from every house in the
district. More ambitious residents displayed fairy lights in their front gardens, while
business houses and factories made full use of the end of the blackout, by flood-
lighting their premises.
The public holiday with no organised entertainment, left no alternative but to
continue with their own personal pursuits, and the countryman took the opportunity of
the occasion to spend VE DAY in the garden or in the allotment.
Other sections of the community took full advantage of showing thanks to victory
by attending Thanksgiving Services, which were held throughout the day in churches
of all denominations.
In Wokingham, the day’s services culminated in a United Thanksgiving Service
which was held in the Market Place, and attracted a large congregation. The Mayor
and representatives of the Corporation attended, and the service was conducted by
Rev. Gordon Kenworthy.
At the conclusion, the square was crowded with spectators who remained to listen to
the broadcast of the King’s speech.
As was to be expected, local licensed house were prepared to meet an
unprecedented demand and so great was this that at times, particularly in the Market
Place, it was impossible to gain an entrance to many of the ‘pubs’..
While the atmosphere was most convivial, and the scenes of comradeship and good
fellowship were rife, no incidents occurred, the public enjoying themselves with
noticeable sobriety.

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