Helen Kennett.
Joseph Mason:
Many thanks for permission to reproduce material from the Joe Mason website blog Click Here to visit blog and more information.
Helen Kennett:
Many thanks for permission to reproduce this email received by e-mail 28th January 2012:
Hi , I have just been looking at the website, and the latest additions on the Cawston Historical Society pages - brilliant as usual and very interesting. I think that I can help with more information on the Reading Room and its owner though as it has a strong family connection.
The old Prince of Wales public house and premises became Prince of Wales Works around 1907 when they were bought by William A Bush, who established an Agricultural Engineering business there. The business included associated trades such as blacksmithing, building, carpentry and timber trading etc, and he became a major employer in the village employing 20 -30 men.
The Reading Room, in the picture, which was supplied by Jo Mason was set up by William Bush in the early 1900's in part of his premises, he was a keen believer in education and helping his fellow men and was an established Methodist lay preacher and later both a long serving member of and Chairman of the Parish Council and The Heath Trust as well as serving as a District Councillor on the St. Faiths and Aylsham District Council.