Page 845 - Reading Mercury

closed), and on this, resting on a wreath, is a Saxon crown. Above this is a demi-stag,
representing Berkshire, and holding in its forepaws a bishop’s crozier—signifying the
holding of the town by the Bishop of Salisbury.
The motto is “E Glande Quercus”—“from the Acorn to the Oak.”
The decision to apply for a Grant of Arms was made in March.

th
Sat 14 Nov
PRINCESS MARGARET VISITS DR. BARNARDO’S WOKINGHAM.
CROWDS CHEER THE ROYAL VISITOR
Three New Cottage Homes Inspected
PRINCESS TAKES KEEN INTEREST IN GIRLS’ WORK
Wokingham turned out in force to welcome Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret
yesterday (Friday) afternoon. Hundreds of schoolchildren given a special half-holiday,
thronged the thoroughfares and entrances to High Close, Dr, Barnardo’s Home, where
the Princess visited three new cottages.
Inside the grounds, children of the home cheered as the Royal visitor arrived by car.
Her Royal Highness was received by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr. H.A.
Benyon who presented Mrs. Benyon, the Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham (Cllr.
W.G. Jackson and Mrs. W.J. Willey), the Town Clerk, Mr. L. Goddard Smalley, the
Chief Constable of Berkshire, Commander the Hon. Humphrey Legge, and Mr.
A.G.B. Owen, chairman of the council of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, who then presented
Mrs. Owen, the Lady Rayleigh, member of the Barnardo council, Mr. F.J. Potter,
general secretary, Mr. E.H. Lucette, general superintendent, Miss A.M Scorrer, Chief
Inspector, Children’s Branch, Home Office, Mr. J.E.A. Bazalgette, Chief Executive
Officer, and the superintendent of the High Close Home, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Davies.
Big Moment for Mavis
The big moment for fair-haired, blue-eyed, 16-years-old Mavis Rackham came
when she presented the Princess with a bouquet of violets and carnations. She had
been chosen because she had been at the school longest—six years. For a fortnight
Mavis had been practising her courtesy, and although she was rather nervous,
everything went off perfectly.
Her Royal Highness was first shown over the main house by Mr. and Mrs. Davies
and their three-years-old son, Martin, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant and Mr.
Owen.
Whilst in the main house Mr. Davies presented Miss Lillian Parker, chief matron,
and Dr. H.P. Merrick, the medical officer of the home.
Leaving the main house, the Princess walked down the drive to the first cottage,
and, before entering, Mr. Owen presented Mr. H. Hall, chief architect of the home,
Mr. A.I. Cripps, architect of the new cottages, and Mr. L.A. Sears, a director of the
builders. Mr. Davies presented to the Princess Miss Evelyn Neale, the cottage matron.
Cottage Matrons Presented
Her Royal Highness then walked across the main drive through the lines of invited
guests to reach the next cottage, where Mrs. Davis presented the cottage matron, Miss
Winifred Austin. At the third cottage she met Mrs. Muriel Green, the cottage matron.
The girls at each house were gathered at the entrances.
From the third cottage the Princess walked down the drive close to the main gate,
where eager crowds pressed forward to get a close-up view of the Princess. As she
entered the schoolroom the children really had a good view.
Inside the prefabricated building where the 64 resident girls have their lessons she
met the teachers and showed a lively interest in the girls’ work which was on show.

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