Page 920 - Reading Mercury

Making a repair visit to the workshop a year or two ago was a clock that would
probably make a record price if put up for sale. It was made for the Emperor of China
in 1795, and is now in the McGrigor Mess, Aldershot.
A Mechanical marvel and with the most intricately devised system of sounding bells
as well as a supreme decorative scheme, this clock was “won” by a British officer
somewhere around 1900, when the Imperial Palace in Peking was sacked. After an
astonishing series of adventures the clock reached Britain and now has its permanent
home in Aldershot. It had not worked for 30 years when it reached Porters, but was
soon registering the hours again.

th
Sat 6 Feb
THE BROADMOOR QUESTION
Mr. W.R. Van Straubenzee, the Member for Wokingham, is, on Monday, February
th
15 , to ask the Minister of Health a question concerning the recent escape from
Broadmoor.

NEW YEAR PARTY
A New Year party was given for residents of the Sale Memorial Homes,
Wokingham, on Saturday. The M.C. was Mr. G. Reeves, and among the guests were
the Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs. Moles, and Alderman N.C. Lawrence.

LEAVING
After 30 years as a hairdresser in Wokingham, Mr. S.G. Hussey is leaving to take a
business in the small Cornish village of Calstock. Mr. Hussey closes his Peach Street
business next Saturday. Mrs. Hussey has been closely associated with carnivals and
other social events in Wokingham for many years.

APPEAL DISMISSED
The Minister of Housing and Local Government has dismissed an appeal by. Mr. J.
Barrett against the refusal of Wokingham Borough Council, acting on behalf of
Berkshire County Council, to grant permission for the use of land at Brookside
Works, Reading Road, Wokingham, for the display and sale of second hand motor-
cars which was the subject of an inquiry held in November.

HOSPITAL CONCERT
Elderly patients at Wokingham Hospital were given a concert on Saturday,
organised by Supt. W.E. Burden, of the local St. John Ambulance unit. The first half
of the programme was provided by the Shinfield Players, whose handbell ringing was
particularly appreciated. After refreshments—also provided by the St. John
Ambulance Brigade—the choir of the girl cadets gave a number of items, and these
were followed by a comedy number written specially for the concert and given by the
Brigade

NEW MATERNITY WARD
The Reading Hospital Management Committee are to spend £11,616 on equipment
for the new maternity ward at Wokingham Hospital. In addition this hospital will be
provided with the “Telenurse” two-way patient-nurse experimented with at Peppard
Chest Hospital. The committee are also trying to combat the danger of electricity cuts,
of which they have been the victims on two occasions in recent months. Although

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