Page 803 - Reading Mercury

No Shortage For Whitsun
The general verdict of garage proprietors on hearing the news that the rationing of
petrol would cease from midnight (Friday) was “Now that we have the petrol for
Whitsun, all we want is sunshine. One thing that need cause no concern is supply.”
All the main garages in Reading assured the Mercury that they are not likely to run
dry, and the same assurance is given by the bulk suppliers
Motorists however, probably do not appreciate all the implications of the relaxation.
In the first case it will mean higher insurance rates and a return to the full rate of duty.
The order will also mean less work for a number of people and more for others. The
Ministry of Fuel and Power, stationed at Whiteknights Park, Reading, say that there
would obviously be large-scale redundancy, but the full implications are not yet
known. Whatever time is saved in the garages by the abolition of coupons will be
more than filled by the anticipated increase in repair work.

th
Sat 8 July
RETURNING “HOME”
One of the oldest firms in Wokingham, Sale and Sons, will soon be returning to
their birthplace after 60 years. They are moving from No. 16, Market Place, to No. 27,
the premises where Mr. Stephen Sale built his business when he went there in 1825.
He remained there until 1890.

th
Sat 29 July
“FLYING SAUCERS”
SEEN AT WOKINGHAM
Many people in Wokingham sat up late on Thursday night, hoping to see what had
been described by some as a “flying saucer.”
A lady of Denmark Street, Wokingham, said she was looking out of her bedroom
window on Wednesday night and saw a “disc-shaped object floating across the sky.”
“It seemed to be about 12 inches long and was about a mile away,” she said. “and it
was very bright.” She called her neighbours who supported the statement.
The brightness of the moon spoilt any appearance on Thursday evening, although
some residents report seeing the object, this time much smaller.

th
Sat 16 Sept
COLOURFUL CARNIVAL AT WOKINGHAM
Non-Stop Programme Of Entertainment
All the pomp and ceremony of previous carnivals returned, with additions on
Wednesday, when Wokingham produced as colourful a spectacle as ever witnessed in
the town.
Despite the many pessimists, the carnival committee, under the organising secretary,
Mr. Peter Sparkes, did in three months what had previously taken nine. A non-stop
variety programme of music, shows and sports culminated in a grand procession of
nearly 100 decorated vehicles and parties spread over a three-mile route of flag-
bedecked streets and building
From 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. the following day “raggers” dressed as everything from
apes to Zulus, paraded the town with programmes and collecting boxes.
The day was opened officially by the Mayor, Cllr. S.L. Bowyer, when he released
the first balloon of a balloon race in the Market Place at 10 a.m. Large crowds
thronged the town, and extra buses brought several thousand visitors from

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