Page 894 - Reading Mercury

sort of swashbuckling rôle to which he always did justice. Of the two films showing at
the end of the week it is hardly necessary to say more than that they are “Doctor in the
House” and “Genevieve”—two of the best comedies to come from British studios for
many years, and a first-class double programme.

1957
th
Sat 12 Jan
A FORMER MAYOR OF WOKINGHAM
Death Of Mr. A. E. Priest
By the death on Wednesday of Mr. Albert Ebenezer Priest (78), of 36, Sturges
Road, Wokingham, the town lost one of its most distinguished residents. A great part
of Mr. Priest’s life was devoted to the service of the town, and he began 36 years’
uninterrupted service on the council in November 1911. Returned unopposed in 1914
and 1921, he headed the poll with the then record number of votes in 1924. Three
years later he again polled a record number of votes and in the same year he was
elevated up to the aldermanic bench on the extension of the borough, serving until his
retirement in 1947. He became Mayor in 1929, and held office for four consecutive
years. During his council service he held only two chairmanships—that of the
Lighting Committee for 26 years, 1921-1947, and of the Rating Committee from 1932
to 1936. Mr. Priest joined the council as a representative of the Ratepayers’
Association, of which he was then secretary.
Mr. Priest had the unique record of having served one firm of solicitors—now
known as Messrs. Cooke, Cooper and Barry—for 65 years, starting as an office boy
when he was 12 and rising to be managing clerk within 20 years.
Educated at St. Paul’s School, Mr. Priest sang in the church choir for 40 years, and
was for some time a churchwarden and treasurer of the parochial church council. In
his early years Mr. Priest was a lieutenant in the Boys’ Brigade and was the organiser
of the borough’s National Savings movement during the First World War, in
recognition of which he was commended by the then Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd
George.
A keen sportsman throughout his life, Mr. Priest was for ten years secretary of the
Wokingham Cricket Club, and among his most treasured possessions was a solid
silver cricket bat presented to him by the “sportsmen of his native town” at the
completion of his four-year mayoralty. For several years Mr. Priest was captain of the
Howard Palmer Bowling Club, and as Mayor officially opened the Wokingham
Bowling Club.
President of the Wokingham Hospital Committee for many years, Mr. Priest was
mainly responsible for the £1,000 target being reached for endowing a hospital bed,
and in 1934 was made an honorary life governor.
He also took an interest in the Boy Scout movement, and was vice-chairman of the
local Boy Scouts Association for some time.
Mr. Priest represented the Borough Council on the Wokingham United Charity
Trustees, and continued to do this after his retirement from the aldermanic bench in
1947.
Married at St. Paul’s Church, Wokingham, Mr. Priest celebrated his golden wedding
in July, 1955, and leaves a widow, son and married daughter.
The funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Church, Wokingham, at 2.45 p.m. on
Monday, followed by cremation at Reading.

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Sat 16 Feb
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