Page 1057 - Reading Mercury

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Thur 13 June
MEDIEVAL SPLENDOUR DREW THE CROWDS AT WOKINGHAM
Knights and Men-at-Arms vied with Ladies-in-Waiting in the splendour of their
dress at Wokingham Carnival on Saturday. The West Forest Round Tablers, who
organised the event, had asked all who participated to follow a medieval theme and
the result shown in the 30 floats which took part in the procession was very colourful.
The star of the parade was Lady Godiva (Linda Batt-Rawden) who rode a white
horse. She was followed by Robin Hoods, Maid Marions, bold barons, archers,
Knights of the Square Table, nurses from Wokingham Hospital on Knight Duty and
many others.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, Mr. and Mrs. John Tattersall, Ms, Jean
Davy and Dr. H. Dodd, judged the floats before the procession started and chose as
winners:--1, The Wokingham Society; 2, Guide Dog for the Blind Association; 3,
Wokingham Evening Townswomen's Guild.
The trade float entry from Morland Brewery showing a bar of 1711 and a modern
one, won first prize in that class. While Timothy Johnson (3) as Wee Willie Winkie,
won a prize for his costume and proudly walked (with his mother) all the way to the
Carnival Field with the other entries.
Archery demonstrations, a tug-of-war competition, a fun fair and several stalls
manned by local organisations entertained the hundreds of spectators who arrived to
enjoy the fun.
Another highlight was the medieval tournament. The clashing of swords and the
expert use of lances as horses galloped round the arena ridden by the Black Knight,
Sir Guy of Gisborne, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, and other Knights kept the crowds
spellbound.
In all the Tablers hope to have raised in excess of f1,000 which will be shared
between children's charities in Wokingham.

th
Thur 20 June
FUN IN THE SUN
A beer tent, soft drinks, ice cream and cream teas proved very popular in the
sunshine at Emmbrook Secondary School's summer fair on Saturday. With St.
Sebastian's Silver Band providing the music for their added entertainment, a record
number of visitors enjoyed a fun-packed afternoon, finding numerous stalls and
competitions set up .for their enjoyment.
Five-a-side football .in which 16 men's teams took part resulted in a win for
Crowthorne who beat East End United by 1—0.
Netball produced l0 ladies’ teams with Wokingham and Alpha (Bracknell), winning
all their games to appear against each other in the final when Alpha were beaten 8-3.
A live pig, the prize in a bowling competition, was won by David Riggs who.
Having the choice of the animal or the value of it in cash, chose to keep the pig.
But the main attraction of the afternoon was the giant hot air balloon, Sweeney
Todd, owned by the British Bacon Curers Association which was filled and raised but
not unleashed, owing to the stiff breeze which would have blown it across the paths of
flying aircraft.
More than £400 was raised which delighted the organisers, the P.T.A., who said how
grateful they were for the support given.

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