Page 819 - Reading Mercury

“Attacker,” in service with the Royal Navy. Electronic heating equipment was shown
by Radio Heaters Ltd., and Mr. Philip Morgan, a stonemason demonstrated the
modern methods of the firm. Mr. W. Teakle and Co., in making head-stones, garden
ornaments, polishing and finishing stonework. On the more technical side was the
stand exhibited by Metalair, Ltd., who showed delicate precision work. For the
women, C. And M. Ellen showed just how upholstered goods were repaired and
manufactured. In addition, exhibits were arranged by a number of other local firms.
The exhibition was opened in the morning especially for children.

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Sat 8 Dec
THE COUNTY LIBRARY
The opening hours of the County Library in Montague House, Wokingham, are to
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be trebled as from, January 7 next. This is to meet the increasing public demand and
will mean that the library will be open for 24 hours weekly, which will, in time, be
increased to full time opening. Mr. F.W.S. Baguley, of the Leicester City Library, has
been appointed librarian and will take up his duties when the new hours come into
effect. They will be: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 2-4 p.m. and 5-7.30 p.m.;
Wednesday and Saturday 10 a.m.-12 noon and 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.-1p.m.

FOOTBALL
On Saturday Wokingham Reserves beat St. Sebastian’s at home 4-0. It was a keen
game and St. Sebastian’s were unlucky not to score. Pocock, in the Wokingham goal,
made several fine saves, including a penalty. After four weeks’ illness, Fricker made a
welcome return to the forward line, and celebrated by scoring twice. Underwood and
Sherwood also netted. The first team did not have a match. Today (Saturday) the first
eleven play away to Hemel Hempstead in the Great Western Combination. The
selected team are: Pocock; Maynard; Davies; Cox; Roche; Clacey; Cooper; R.E.
Thatcher; Dyer; Phillips and R. Thatcher. The Reserves team to meet Havelock
Rovers at home in the Wokingham Clinic Cup are: Taylor; Smith; White; Sherwood;
Reed; Darby; Noyes; R. Jackson; Fricker, Underwood and Hampton.

THE WESTENDE CHARITY
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500 Anniversary Celebration
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Wokingham’s oldest bequest -–the Westende Charity—celebrates its 500
anniversary this year.
In 1451, John Westende, as clerk, of Wokingham, made provisions for the building
of eight “eleemosynary cottages” at the eastern end of Peach Street, then named Le
Peche-street.
These almshouses, as they were later called, have been occupied by the needy of
Wokingham ever since. As set down in the charity, no poor person may be expelled
from his cottage during his life unless the inhabitant is a “proven robber, ‘night-
stroller,’ or a notorious offender.”
Five of the cottages are on one side of the street, three, the other. The trustees are
now receiving applications for one almshouse recently made vacant. The five
cottages, strangely, have their backs facing the street, and although the repairs have
been made during the passing years there has been little structural change. Each home
consists of two rooms, one up and one down. Annually the inmates have 8 tons of
coal shared between them, and they also receive grants of meat and bread.

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