Molly’s Wind Vane Dedicated

On the evening of Thursday 21 June 2007, about 150 people gathered in St Peter’s Church to see the replica wind vane unveiled, blessed by Canon Richard Kingsbury and presented to the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Chris Maskell.

The replica was jointly commissioned by CADRA, Reading Civic Society and the Caversham Court Gazebo Trust, in memory of Molly Casey, Life President of CADRA who died in November 2006.

Councillor Bet Tickner, former Mayor paid tribute to Molly’s long years of campaigning.

The original vane, now held in St Peter’s Church was found to be made of copper and partly gilded, though later covered in a black coating. The replica, made by a specialist in copper weathervanes has been party gilded and now awaits the restoration of the gazebo in Caversham Court gardens where it will be installed on the roof.

As Molly’s daughter, Hester, said, as she unvelied the vane, "it will look up and down the river and watch the winds of change blow over Caversham".

Molly's family

Both CADRA and the Civic Society had invited their members to contribute to the cost of the project and over £1000 was donated over a short period. Everyone who had contributed to the project was invited to the dedication. This had been planned as a midsummer picnic but sadly the weather was against us we gladly accepted the kind invitation from St Peter’s Church.

It was a very happy occasion, serenaded by the Beenham Band, with Molly’s family and so many different people with links across Caversham and Reading meeting to pay tribute to Molly’s achievements.

Thanks to the Evening Post, Chris Widdows & Owen Jewiss for the photos.

Click here to read a tribute to Molly.