Page 779 - Reading Mercury

Murray Home, who were present. As in the past, patients all received a shilling from
Miss M.S. Huggins a Christmas card from Mrs. O. Young, both of Hare Hatch,
Twyford. The chaplain, the Ven. Archdeacon Thorndike Shaw, Rector of St. Paul’s,
Wokingham, conducted a Christmas morning service.
At Glebelands, the Cinema Trades Rest Home, celebrations began on Christmas Eve
with carol singing. Turkeys, plum pudding, mince-pies, trifles and jellies were
included in the Christmas fare, and there was iced cake for tea. Father Christmas was
present, and there was a tree with gifts for everyone. Other items on the programme
were a picture show, a fancy dress dance and a musical evening.
Children of the Barnardo Home at High Close, spending their first Christmas in
Wokingham had a big Christmas tree cut from the grounds. Stockings were obligingly
hung on the banisters to give Santa Claus easy access to them, and each one was filled
with a new toy, second-hand toy, a cracker, a Christmas card and a bag of sweets. The
children who were old enough to attend a church service went to All Saints’ in the
morning, coming home to a traditional Christmas dinner. The staff had their
celebration in the evening.

THE NEW OFFICES OF THE “TIMES & WEEKLY NEWS”
With the erection of our new offices at Embrook lies a tale of make-do and mind,
which has extended over a considerable number of years. Until recently the building
was one of the less imposing edifices on the West side of the Borough. This fact is not
surprising when one considers it was originally a timber constructed carpenter’s shop,
at the rear of which was a large workshop and cement shed. These two buildings
became our composing room and machine shop.
For years the production of this paper has been accomplished only at the expense of
considerable inconvenience. Lack of inadequate heating and lighting have been the
principal difficulties, for the original premises were not erected for the purpose for
which they are at present being used.
During the past two and a half years, and in easy stages, the task of converting the
original buildings into a modern warm, light and airy printing works has been
accomplished; not a simple task in these days of shortage of men and building
materials. The increasing volume of work has necessitated new machines and
additional space, and having gradually attended to these matters, we have recently
focused our attention upon the offices.
The advice of the
Planning Department
of Messrs. Watts and
Son was secured, and
plans were drawn up
which, ultimately
were approved by the
appropriate
authorities. The
matter of securing
builders was also
finally accomplished,
and we were able to
enrol the services of a
firm of licensed
builders. This firm,

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