Page 892 - Reading Mercury

south Drive Savings Group, was presented with the Street Groups Section Cup for
having the highest percentage increase in savings in one group, having raised 320 per
cent more savings than last year. Cllr. E.H. Langley, of the Reading Co-operative
Society, Ltd., was awarded the Places of Employment Shield for the highest
percentage increase (233 per cent) from a works savings group. Mr. Dick Giles gave a
puppet show during the evening and dancing was to the music of Stan Ayres and his
band.

BOWLING CLUB’S SILVER JUBILEE DINNER
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The Wokingham Bowling Club celebrated its 25 anniversary dinner on Tuesday,
with a dinner at The Waterloo Restaurant. Among those present were seven founder
members, one being the club chairman, Mr. G.S. Reed. The others were Mr. A.E.
Priest, a former Alderman and Mayor of the borough, Mr. W. Crocker, Mr. C. Lunn,
Mr. W.J. Strange, Mr. T. Paine and Mr. J. French. Joining the club in its celebrations
were representatives of eighteen clubs throughout Berkshire.
Proposing the toast to the club, the captain of the county bowling association, Mr. F.
Mulford, said “How proud you must be when you recall the club’s beginning and its
record over the past 25 years. The club has won many county trophies and provided
many county players—ten in the past year.”
Mr. A.J. Orchiston proposed the toast to the Berkshire County Bowling Association
and the London and Southern Counties’ Bowling Association, and expressed his
club’s appreciation of their help in the past. The presidents of these associations, Mr.
T. Campbell Dykes and Mr. F. Riley, responded.
The toast of “The Visitors” was proposed by Mr. J. Brand and responded to by the
Deputy Mayor, Cllr. W.J. Willey, who later presented the season’s trophies.

NEW HIGH STEWARD OF WOKINGHAM
Appointment After Fourteen Years
The Marquess of Ormonde, Lt.-Col. The Most Honourable James Arthur Butler,
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M.C., was installed as Wokingham’s 17 High Steward at a short ceremony in the
Town Hall on Tuesday. The formal business was kept to a minimum, the resolution
that the corporate seal of the council be affixed to the instrument of appointment
being moved by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. W.J. Willey, and seconded by Cllr. H.R.
Wells. Then after the Town Clerk had read the wording of the instrument—which had
been illuminated by Cllr. A.T. Ilott—the Mayor, Cllr. Mrs. C.E.A. Le-Bouchardière,
presented it to the Marquess.
In doing this the Mayor referred to H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, holder of the
office until his death in 1942. He had received his instrument of appointment from
Mr. W.T. Martin, who was the only living Freeman of the Borough, and who was
prevented by his age and infirmity from being present to watch this presentation. That
the office had been left vacant since 1942 was not an indication that the council
wished to see it die, but because they could find no one whom they wished to ask who
was in a position to be able to take the office.
The Mayor went on to refer to Lord Ormonde’s connection with the town and the
county and his active part in county council affairs, expressing pleasure that he and
Lady Ormonde should have decided to live in Wokingham.
After 300 Years
In reply the Marquess said he was proud to be elected High Steward of the ancient
Borough of Wokingham. A similar honour had not been conferred on a member of his
family for 300 years—in 1660 the Ormonde of those days was appointed High

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