Page 940 - Reading Mercury

Technically such a place was known as “accommodation for the aged” but he
preferred the word hostel, and a feature of Oakfield was the small wards and
individual rooms. Here the old people could retain, to a very considerable extent, their
own freedom, their own personalities and individualities. “I believe it is that retention
of the feeling of home that brings a tremendous amount of comfort and happiness to
old people who, having lived their lives, have reached a stage where they continue no
longer to do for themselves, by themselves, but essentially need the care, comfort and
attention which a hostel such as this can and does provide in such measure,” said Sir
George.
Before the war, Oakfield, he said, had been a private house. Then the government
had requisitioned it for housing evacuees from heavily bombed areas. In post-war
years it had been acquired by the County Council for use as a children’s home, and
three or four years ago it was transferred for the use of old people. Then it provided
for 21. Recent improvements had made it possible to double that number, and to cater
for both men and women.
In seconding the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. A.G. Walker, the chairman of the
Oakfield House Committee, Dr. P.P. Pigott, said that she was pleased to note that
three trends had been developed in the hostel. Firstly, that it now catered for men and
women, and could therefore accept married couples; secondly that the smaller units
created a “homelike” atmosphere instead of an institutional one, and lastly that old
people could be nursed there during illness instead of being taken to hospital
whenever they felt sick.
The Rural Dean, of Sonning, the Rev. Canon S.J.S. Groves, attended and blessed the
hostel.

NEW HALL AT WOKINGHAM
Council To Have Second Thoughts
A demand for fuller details to be obtained before negotiations were opened with the
Ministry concerning the building of the proposed new hall and municipal offices was
made by Coun. W.J. Willey at Thursday’s meeting of the Wokingham Town Council.
Coun. Willey moved the reference back of the resolution, carried by a majority, the
General Purposes Committee, that a meeting be arranged with the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government to ascertain the Minister’s view on the plan.
Saying that he felt alarmed about the situation, Coun. Willey pointed out that the
cost of the municipal hall scheme would be over £262,000 (representing an increase
in the borough rate of 2s. 6d.) and in addition to this there would be the cost of the
new sewerage scheme—almost as much as the new hall.
The motion for the reference back was seconded by Coun. W.C.A. Smith.
Ald. F. Moles opposed this on the grounds that if the scheme were submitted to the
Minister at this stage, and failed to secure his approval, a great deal of the official’s
time would have been saved.
Urging the council to put the scheme before the Minister as soon as possible, Ald.
N.C. Lawrence forecast that the town population would be doubled in 10 years, and
there would be a considerable increase in the rateable value—the penny rate product
might rise to as much as £1,000. Looking forward to a population of 20,000, Ald.
Lawrence said: “If you have not got something to show or give the public you are not
worthy of the name of the borough and that is what you have got to face.” Urging
immediate action, Ald. Lawrence said “If the time is not ripe now it never will
be….We have suffered too much in the past with ‘the time is not ripe’ attitude. The

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