Page 836 - Reading Mercury

The man who had greatest cause to celebrate was Mr. Henry Beesley, who had three
Mayors (Cllr. W.G. Jackson, the present holder of the office, and Cllr. W.J. Willey
th
and S.L. Bowyer) and the Mayoress (Mrs. W J. Willey) at his 106 birthday party in a
private ward of the Wokingham Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Lying in bed with the
memory of Sunday’s outing with his daughter, Mrs. Goodchild, of Spencers Wood,
still fresh in his memory, he thoroughly enjoyed cutting a magnificent cake—
presented to him by Messrs. Lee’s—and seeing that all had a piece. As well as many
presents, he had numerous birthday cards surrounding him, but pride of place went to
a telegram from the Queen.
In common with every other borough in the country. Wokingham has been given a
festive appearance. But although many business houses and private residents went to
great lengths to brighten the town, there was a disappointingly large number of
unadorned houses. Probably the most impressive shop window was one in Peach
Street, in which, surrounded by royal purple, was a lifelike image of the Queen in full
regalia and holding the orb and sceptre. Quiet dignity was symbolised by the crown in
a florist’s window containing no less than five-and-a-half thousand heads of
gnaphalium. Another shopkeeper displayed a collection of souvenir Coronation mugs,
dating back to William IV.
Judging of the best decorations in the town was carried out on Monday and the
committee made the following awards:--
Private houses: 1, Mr. Goatley, 9 Rose Street, Wokingham; 2, Mr. R. Morgan,, 50
Rose Street, Wokingham; 3, Mr. W.H. Lee, 75 London Road, Wokingham
Business premises:--1, Herring Bros, Peach Street; 2, Messrs. E.J. Fuller, Denmark
Street; 3, Messrs. Sale & Son (Florists) Market Place, Wokingham
The Coronation Ball, arranged by the D Coy., 4/6 Batt., Royal Berkshire Regiment,
was held in the Drill Hall. Music was by the “Heralds of Swing.” The M.C. was Mr.
Fred Barter.
Throughout the week the children of Wokingham have been well catered for and
their big day was Wednesday. Starting soon after lunch the 150 entrants in the fancy
dress parade began converging on the Town Hall, and in a blaze of colour they
marched down Denmark Street to the Langborough Road Recreation Ground, where,
for the benefit of the other 1,250 children, they paraded. Then, by schools, they went
into the marquees for the Coronation tea party, and were each given a souvenir mug.
After the tea they all enjoyed an informal sports meeting for about two hours, and Mr.
Dick Giles entertained them with his puppets.
Children’s homes in the town all reported that their charges thoroughly enjoyed
themselves, and street parties were given in many parts of the town. The celebrations
continue today (Saturday), when the ox-roasting takes place.

HISTORIC SPECTACLE WAS POPULAR ENDING TO WOKINGHAM’S
CORONATION FESTIVITIES
After a decidedly slow start earlier last week, Wokingham’s official celebrations
suddenly gained tempo on Saturday, when people from all over the district poured
into the Market Place to watch the ox-roasting ceremony.
Dancers from the Drill Hall and Waterloo Restaurant left their dancing at midnight
on Friday to watch the Mayor of Wokingham, Cllr. W.G. Jackson light the fire, which
was then stoked up by the local firemen, who appeared to be as competent at stoking
fires as at putting them out.
Cooking of the ox began at 2 am on Saturday and a steady stream of people arrived
to watch and help baste the carcass soon after daybreak. In addition to the three chefs,

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