Page 763 - Reading Mercury

scarred, it has come through to live up to its name. O/S Hynes has commenced his
short leave by celebrating his engagement.

th
Fri 28 Dec
EAST LONDON EVACUEE LEAVES WOKINGHAM
Bruce Anthony Croft, of Leyton came to Wokingham during the London blitz of 5½
years ago, and since that time has made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, of 1,
Broad Street. He had attended St. Paul’s School and is at present head choirboy at St.
Paul’s Church. Now that he has reached school leaving age, however, he has to put
his “country” home behind him, and on Boxing Day he returned to his parents, and
hopes to commence work very shortly as an electrician.

WOKINGHAM EMERGENCY HOSPITAL
Christmas Activities
Christmas festivities at the Wokingham Emergency Hospital were again celebrated
in the traditional Yuletide spirit, the wards and dining room being very effectively
decorated for the occasion. On Christmas Eve the entire staff made a tour of the
hospital singing carols.
On Christmas morning, after a substantial breakfast, every patient was given a bag
containing sweets, oranges and cigarettes and also a Christmas card—the gift of Mrs.
Oliver Young, of Hare Hatch, Twyford. A special Christmas Day service followed in
the chapel, preached by the Rev. P.J. Hepburne-Scott, and which was broadcast
throughout the hospital.
The Christmas dinner in the dining hall, consisted of roast pork, roast beef, etc.,
rounded off with liberal portions of Christmas pudding, beer and minerals, while each
hospital patient’s dinner consisted of chicken. During the meal each patient received a
gift of 1s. from the Misses Huggins of A Bear Corner, Hare Hatch, Twyford.
For the first time for forty-three years, Alderman W.T. Martin was prevented from
carving the Christmas joints in view of illness, but his place was taken by Alderman
F.J. Barrett, who later, in the course of a brief address, expressed the sincere apologies
of Alderman Martin upon his enforced absence but, on his behalf, Alderman Barrett
presented every patient with 1s. This was supplemented by a small monetary gift
given by Alderman Barrett.
Major A. Hunter (Chairman of the Management Committee), who was also present,
apologised for the absence of Mrs. Jarvis and Miss E. Norris.
During the Xmas dinner all the children in the dining hall were presented with a toy,
which had been made by the hospital staff.
After a substantial tea of iced cake, mince pies, trifle and jellies, patients were
entertained during the evening by a staff concert, in which the following took part:
Staff Nurse Cavenagh, sisters Tarrant, Brickland, Nurses Sadler, Willmott, Stocken,
The Matron, Mrs. Billing, Messrs. T. Austin and W. Gournall. The show was
compered by the Master and Mrs. Mundy was the guest pianist.
During the evening there was a welcome return of Sergeant Fowler, R.A.F., who
was formerly attached to the hospital as a clerk, and who is at present on leave.
On Boxing Might the staff were entertained to a dinner, which was followed by
dancing, games, etc.

DANCING DISPLAY
On Wednesday of last week, pupils from the Royland School of Dancing gave a
delightful entertainment at the Town Hall. After a bright opening number by the

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