Page 983 - Reading Mercury

The first idea was not, the group thought, possible owing to the financial
implications and the second was not desirable owing to the lack of proper care of
exhibits and supervision. The group recommended that the third suggestion should be
explored, and their proposals have been passed on to the Wokingham Town Council
for their views.
The group are compiling a photographic record of buildings of historic or
architectural interest in the town, paying particular attention to those which, it is
feared, may be demolished under improvement schemes.

1965
th
Sat 6 Feb
FAREWELL TO SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL
Berkshire paid its final tribute to Sir Winston Churchill at the week-end. Vast
crowds were at Reading General Station on Saturday to see the funeral train as it
travelled to Bladon and churches were filled on Sunday for memorial services.
At Wokingham Station itself the two main platforms were barred to the general
public, for safety reasons. Instead the public were invited to watch from a goods
siding—and hundreds accepted the offer. They had an uninterrupted view of the train
as it passed through a few minutes ahead of schedule.
With bared heads the crowd watched in silence, broken only by the sound of the
engine and a single bell tolling from St. Paul’s Church, as the train rounded a bend
and disappeared from view.
Minutes later on Wokingham Town Ground, the players, match officials and
spectators stood in silent tribute to Sir Winston.
Thanksgiving
Wokingham’s corporate act of homage and thanksgiving for the life of Sir Winston
Churchill took place on Friday, last week, at All Saints’ conducted by the Rector, the
Rev. F.A. Steer. It was an interdenominational service and the lesson was read by the
Baptist minister, the Rev. H.M. Ray Smith. The Mayor, Cllr. J.E. Chapman and
members of the Corporation attended. The address was given by Mr. W.R. van
Straubenzee, M.P. for Wokingham.

th
Sat 13 Feb
WOKINGHAM COUNCIL WORRIED AT VANDALISM
Vandalism in Wokingham reached such proportions that the town council decided
on Thursday to offer a reward of £5 to anyone giving information leading to the
prosecution of persons damaging street lamps. Most of the damage, said Cllr. A.G.
Skedgel, chairman of the Highways and Lighting committee, had occurred in the
Embrook area.
He produced a bullet-ridden plastic street lamp shade to show the sort of damage
that was costing ratepayers a great deal of money. We have a marksman on our
committee and he assures us that this is the result of someone with an airgun standing
underneath and firing at the lamp,” said Cllr. Skedgel.
Another appeal to the public to help protect their own property came from Cllr. S.L.
Bowyer, chairman of the Public Buildings and Properties Committee. He referred to
the damage at the new public conveniences on the Denmark Street car park. This had
led to the committee deciding to close these at 10 p.m. each evening and all day on
Sundays, a course which the council accepted.

981