Page 782 - Reading Mercury

W.J. Strange; captain, Mr. P. Thorne; vice-captains, Messrs. J. McInnes and F.J.
Barrett; committee, Messrs. Weller, Lunn, Reed, Sear, Beard, Painter and Ward.

FUEL SITUATION IMPROVEMENT
An improvement in the power position was reported at Metalair, Wokingham, mid-
week. Mr. L.H. Whatley, managing director, stated that through the use of generators
and diesel engines, 90 per cent of the firm’s employees were back and it was hoped
that all would be back next week. A night shift was being run to spread the power out
evenly. “But prospects are not too bright,” continued Mr. Whatley. “We may have to
close if suppliers of various small parts are unable to carry on. It is touch and go.”
Wokingham Plastics, Ltd., are employing twenty out of a staff of eighty-five, and
that figure includes office staff, foremen and managers. The few who are in are using
a small petrol engine. There is no heating in the workshops. “If the power comes on
next week we may be able to complete our stand for the Ideal Homes Exhibition,
otherwise, it is hopeless,” a reporter was told.
All street lighting in Wokingham is out, with the exception of all-night junction
lamps.
The Wokingham Employment Exchange Manager declining to make a statement on
the crisis as it had affected labour in the town, said he had strict instructions not to
make any figures known.

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Sat 15 March
BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION
The monthly meeting of the Wokingham branch of the women’s section of the
British Legion was held last week, the chairman (Mrs. P.G. Murray) presiding.
Despite the bad weather, a large number of members were present to hear the Rev.
E.P. Blamires give a talk on New Zealand.

LOCAL GUNNER IN LOST “PAMELA.”
Gunner G.R. Brant, 20, of Wokingham, was one of two gunners who, with a crew of
10, were reported missing when the 407-ton S.S. Pamela, of Beaumaris, was lost
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without trace off Anglesey on October 10 , 1944. This was stated at the Ministry of
Transport inquiry which opened at Bristol on Tuesday. It was learned that within a
few hours of the hearing a plank bearing the Pamela’s name had been washed up at
Anglesey.

SAVINGS COMMITTEE
At a meeting of the executive committee of the Wokingham and District Savings
Committee, on Monday, in the Town Hall, with the Mayor (Cllr. N.C. Lawrence) in
the chair, it was decided to form a new sub-committee specifically to deal with the
new organisation of National Savings in the Borough of Wokingham. It was reported
that the Savings Group position in the borough was not as satisfactory as it might be,
and the executive committee after discussing ways and means of improving the
position decided to set up a special sub-committee for the borough with the Mayor of
Wokingham as its chairman.

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Sat 26 April
TOWN COUNCIL AND MARTIN’S POOL
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May 24 may be a gala day in Wokingham. That is the date on which the Town
Council hope to open Martin’s Pool, and it is their intention to make the opening a

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