THE NAME of a Wokingham stalwart will be forever remembered thanks to a new street name.

John Bingham, who passed away in 2015, was a long-standing member of the Wokingham Society, sitting on the group's executive committee, spending five years as vice-chairman and editing the group's newsletter. He was also one of the organisers of the Wokingham Winter Carnival, and was a committed supporter of numerous charities.

Many people will remember John from Lucan's Bistro in Peach Street, which he ran until 2000. He also acted as part-time town centre manager for four years, and received the Civic Award from Wokingham Town Council in 2005 for his contributions to the town.

On Thursday, June 28, John's window Jane and other members of his family joined representatives from the Wokingham Society, Wokingham Town Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Eldridge Park developers Berkeley Group, and former High Sheriff of Wokingham Lady Elizabeth Godsal to mark the naming of Bingham Drive in his honour on the new housing development, off Bell Foundry Lane.

Peter Must, chairman of the Wokingham Society, said: “We are delighted to see this new road, close to where John and Jane once lived, named after our much-missed colleague. We treasure the time and energy John devoted to the society and to the well-being of the town, but we also recall, just as much, the irrepressible humour he brought to everything he did, not least the jokes with which he lightened the pages of the society’s newsletter.”

Cllr Anthony Pollock, executive member for transport and highways, said: “It is lovely to be able to honour such a long standing volunteer who put so much energy into the town as Mr Bingham in this way. We work closely with the town council and local organisations such as the Wokingham Society to ensure that new street names reflect local history and heritage and it is entirely fitting that Mr Bingham joins those recognised in this way.”

Andrew Saunders-Davies, chairman of Berkeley Homes said: “It is a great honour to be able to recognise Mr Bingham at our Eldridge Park development. In this way, residents of Wokingham will be able to honour his memory and future generations will continue to have an understanding of the great work that he has undertaken in the community for many more years to come.”