Page 1116 - Reading Mercury

carnival at Cantley Field to enjoy a monster bill of fun. Such huge crowds ensured
this year’s event passed its £4,500 charity target with ease. And Mayor Fred Clark is
aiming for an even bigger success next year. He wants more floats, more people lining
the route of the procession and a higher profile for the carnival to turn it into a major
Thames Valley event.
But nothing could detract from the massive popularity of Saturday. Phil Cullimore,
carnival chairman, was delighted with the outcome. Wokingham Round Table, who
organised the carnival, will give the proceeds to the Wokingham Adult Training
Centre in Woosehill Lane. Many other charities and voluntary groups from around the
district took part and raised money for their own particular good causes.
The day started with about thirty floats assembling in Norreys Avenue to be judged.
Among the judges were Wokingham’s British pairs ice skating champions Cheryl
Peake and Andrew Naylor, who took an afternoon off training, and the Mayor and
Mayoress.
The procession, headed by the St. Sebastian Wokingham band, arrived at Cantley at
2 pm for Olympic silver medallist swimmer Sharon Davies to open the carnival
sponsored by Laing Homes.
Hundreds of spectators watched a battle between two 20-foot high inflatable
dinosaurs and a daredevil feat by John Byron, runner-up in the world stunt
championships. He was shackled up inside a blazing tepee, yet escaped unscathed.
Carnival Creations
The brightly coloured Wokingham carnival procession swept through the town to
the delight of hundreds of people who lined the roads. Carnival princess Louise Tandy
took pride of place in the lead car followed by a stream of floats which had been
ingeniously designed along the theme of nursery rhymes. The various creations by
voluntary groups, charities and businesses, including old favourites like Sing-a-song
of Sixpence, One-Two Buckle my Shoe and many more.
Competition for prizes in the three float categories was close as judges hurried to
make up their minds just before the procession started off on its route through the
town centre.
In the trade section, the Wokingham Chamber of Commerce took first prize with
their ‘Four and Twenty Blackbirds baked in a pie’ float. The adult club section was
won by Suffolk Lodge with the WADE day centre coming runners-up.
The inder-13 section, judged by Andrew Naylor and Cheryl Peake with the carnival
princess, was won by the 4th-9th Wokingham Brownie pack. Their Mary, Mary,
Quite Contrary theme pushed the Finchampstead Brownies into second place.
Best stall on Cantley field was Westcott playgroup’s novel ‘Queen of Hearts’ cake
stand.

nd
Thur 22 June
RON’S BIDS FOR THE BELL
The search for a new town crier reached the trial stage on Saturday when the one and
only candidate tried his hand with the famous bell. Ronald Rimmer was the only
entrant for the competition organised by the town council. Although he put up a good
performance, his selection was by no means certain. Now Wokingham Town Council
will have to decide, first at committee stage then at a meeting of the full council,
whether Mr. Rimmer should be appointed to the prestigious post.
The outgoing town crier, Chick Biddle, gave Mr. Rimmer a few hints on Saturday
and then judged his shouting power for the town council. And Chick’s verdict, “He

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