Page 889 - Reading Mercury

system will work on a “low pressure” basis the safety factor should be greatly
increased.

ALMSHOUSES RENOVATED
Modern Amenities For Elderly Folk
The two Queen Victoria almshouses in Peach Street, Wokingham, have now been
renovated at a cost of over £1,000, one being ready for occupation on Monday, and
the second during the following week. Built in 1887, these houses—like the others
administered by the trustees of the Westende Charity—were in great need of repair
and improvement, and for this purpose an appeal was made to the Wokingham public
about 18 months ago.
Largely due to the efforts of the local Rotary Club, this realised over £600, and
when more money was made available due to the amalgamation of several local
charities, the trustees were able to put the work in hand. Three quarters of the cost will
be met by a Government grant.
These almshouses now compare very favourably with new council houses. Electric
light and power points have been fitted in each room, and old-fashioned heavy iron
grates in the dining rooms have been replaced by modern fireplaces, which also heat
water for the newly-fitted baths. Until recently the houses had indoor fuel stores, but
this space has gone towards the new bathrooms and modern toilets. By the sides of the
baths have been chromium-plated “grab” rails to assist the elderly tenants and prevent
accidents. Coal will, in future, be kept near the back doors in neat concrete bins.
Previous tenants have been asked no rent for these houses, but in future they will
pay 5s.—which is more than reasonable by any standard.
Only one difference
There will be only one difference between the two houses—in a cabinet in the porch
of No. 69, Peach Street will be kept the engraved silver trowel with which the
foundation stone was laid nearly 70 years ago. It has been given to the trustees by
Miss D. Wescott, whose parents were Mayor and Mayoress at the time.

nd
Sat 22 Sept
BATTLE OF BRITAIN PARADE
The “Battle of Britain” parade though Wokingham on Sunday—organised by the
Wokingham and Woodley branch of the R.A.F. Association—set a new high standard,
and was made more impressive by the absence—or near absence—of traffic, the
majority of which had been diverted. Assembling in Rectory Road, the parade—led
by the R.E.M.E. Staff Band—marched down Broad Street and Rose Street, but was
unable to follow the normal route, along Peach Street, to the centre of town due to
road work, and retraced its steps. At the Market Place there was a drumhead service
conducted by the Rev. R.C. Rudgard, at which the lesson was read by Air
Commodore R.C. Field, of H.Q. Home Command, R.A.F., who later took the salute in
Broad Street.
Leading the column, behind their own band, were 180 troops from Arborfield. They
were followed by contingents from the local Territorial Army unit and Army Cadets,
the Royal Air Force at White Waltham, the R.E.M.E. and R.A.F. Associations, the
men’s and women’s sections of the local British Legion, the Civil Defence and Boy
Scouts. Also in the procession were the Mayor and Corporation and officials of the
Town Council.

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