Page 820 - Reading Mercury

AN ANCIENT CUSTOM
Every Whit-Tuesday the trustees call at the almshouses to distribute 6s 8d. between
the residents. This charity goes back to 1612, and is known as Wolley’s Charity. The
6s. 8d. is paid by The Catherine Wheel Inn, Henley, for, in 1564, Frances Frewyn, of
Henley, was given £6 by Thomas Wolley, on condition that 6s. 8d. rent be paid each
year, by him and subsequent owners. In 1612 it was decided that the 6s. 8d. should be
paid to Wokingham Charities, namely the Westende Almhouses occupants.
An ancient custom served on Whit-Tuesday is for each woman in the almshouses to
present a “nosegay” to the trustees. Hence the name. “the Nosegay charities.” In the
Parliamentary returns of 1786 it is erroneously called “Frewin’s Charity.”
As the years pass, costs for repairs rise, and it is only with difficulty that the trustees
manage to keep them in their present condition.
Two almshouses were erected on the celebration of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. These
were paid for by the townsfolk and built on Westende Charity land, but no
endowment was bequeathed for repairs. This is one of the problems facing the
trustees. At present the clerk to the trustees is Mr. W.A.P. Ireland. Mr. F.S. Barrett is
chairman and Mr. S. Sale is vice-chairman.
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However finance is not preventing a celebration of the 500 anniversary, for today
(Saturday) at the Wokingham Church House the almshouse inhabitants are being
entertained to tea by the trustees. The Mayor and Mayoress (Cllr. W.J and Mrs.
Willey) are expected to be present.

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Sat 15 Dec
METALAIR FIRE
Metalair factory fire, Station Road, Wokingham was first seen by a signalman on
duty in his box.

The following articles have been taken from the Reading
Mercury and the Wokingham Times
1952 to 1954
NB Articles dated Saturday are from The Reading Mercury. The rest are from The
Wokingham Times.

1952
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Sat 5 Jan
YOUTH CLUB DINNER
All Saints’ Youth Club, Wokingham, held their first annual dinner at the Church
House on Tuesday. About fifty people attended, including the rector of All Saints’,
the Rev. F.A. Steer, and the club leader, Mr. J. West.

DR. BARNARDO’S HOMES
Members of the Barnardo Helpers’ League and others went carol singing in
Wokingham during the week before Christmas. The sum of £8 was collected and sent
to Dr. Barnardo’s Homes.

FOOTBALL
Away to St. Luke’s, Henley, in the Reading Minor League, on Saturday,
Wokingham Minors won 7—0. The first and reserve teams were without matches last
Saturday. Today (Saturday) the minor team selected to visit Cove in the Camberley

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