Page 895 - Reading Mercury

TRAFFIC IN BROAD STREET
Since the beginning of the year, when the new Road Traffic Act came into force, the
“dummy policemen” used to control traffic in Broad Street have lost their official
status, and now have to be replaced by permanent signs. No difficulty should be
experienced in siting a permanent bollard in the middle of Broad Street—near the Post
Office –but at its junction with the Market Place it is not so easy. A temporary bollard
has been in use for several days, and has been moved many times in order to find the
most useful site. It seems probable that the new sign will be considerable nearer the
bus stop outside Heelas, Ltd., than before, and this may well lead to further
congestion. A proposal that all buses coming from Reading should stop in Broad
Street, was rejected some time ago, but this is a good opportunity for the matter to be
raised again. There is an objection to bus stops on opposite sides of the road being too
close together but Broad Street is surely wide enough for this regulation to be waived.

NO GOOD FRIDAY CINEMA
The Town Council decided, without debate, on Thursday not to allow the local
cinema to open on Good Friday, although it was clear from the minutes that at least
one or two members were in favour of opening when the matter came before the
General Purposes Committee. Recently the council refused to allow the cinema to
show the much-publicised “Rock Around the Clock.” But then had second thoughts
and changed their mind. Whatever feelings they may have had about unruly conduct
proved completely groundless; apart from the expected desultory handclapping, it
might have been any other film on the screen. Had the council adhered to their
original decision, hundreds of people would have been deprived of enjoyment and the
cinema company would have lost a considerable amount of revenue.
Now the council’s decision will mean that the company will certainly lose revenue
on Good Friday—which in some parts of the country is a profitable day—and the
public will have to look elsewhere for their entertainment. Many of us may have
strong views on whether or not it is a good thing to have films on such days, but I feel
that the council might have given people the opportunity of going to the cinema if
they so desired. I know that the management offered to meet the council’s wishes if
they requested that a film with a religious theme should be shown.

rd
Sat 23 March
GIFT FROM TOWN CLERK
An inspection of the roadside trees in Broad Street, after one had been uprooted by
an unknown lorry, revealed that they were all very “insecure”. The damaged tree is to
be replaced by a flowering cherry tree—a gift from the Town Clerk.

CARAVAN SITE
A suggestion that there should be a controlled caravan site in Wokingham to help
solve the problem of a waiting list for council houses of between 300 and 400 people
was made at last week’s council meeting by Alderman W.C. Fullbrook who asked for
the number of caravans already licensed in the town.

SALVATION ARMY
This year’s “Self-Denial” appeal organised in the town by the Salvation Army
realised £277. On Monday, Colonel Bernard Booth presented a musical programme in
the Sturges Road Hall, assisted by Miss Rose Smith, of Ealing. A cornet solo was
given by Kelvin Ketteringham.

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