Page 1173 - Reading Mercury

every five hours, it was a bit of a talk staying awake. Teachers and parents also helped
the marathon effort on bike number three. Due to their help the cyclists had to slow
down a little on Wednesday night. The idea was finished on Friday at about 2 pm, but
they were averaging about 1,000 miles and were well ahead of schedule.

Thur 2nd July
CARNIVAL PROCESSION IS CANCELLED
There will not be a Summer Carnival procession this year because “carnival
overkill” has undermined the organisers’ efforts. Managers of this year’s carnival,
West Forest Round Table, say there has not been enough enthusiasm to forge ahead
with the procession because of possible carnival fatigue. The carnival takes place on
July 11th, later in the year because it has to compete with the Town Twinning
celebrations, the Donkey Derby, May Fair and Winter Carnival.
Only six organisations expressed an interest in dressing a carnival float.

th
Thus 9 July
SAFETY BILL STUNS CARNIVAL ORGANISERS
Wokingham Carnival organisers are furious because they have been hit with an
£800 bill from Wokingham District Council to cover health and safety monitoring.
This will eliminate takings from this Friday’s blues concert at Cantley Field intended
for charity. This is also bad news for local charities and organisations hoping for a
windfall from carnival profits.
According to a district council spokesman there is a strict legislation on health and
safety and nuisance monitoring which the bill will cover. Until a few years ago this
service was free to charitable events. Although the council was aware of the carnival,
news about the concert came only recently when the application to hold the concert
was received.

th
Thur 16 July
MARKET WAS MAGNIFIQUE
The wonderful smell of fresh baguettes garlic and cheese really pulled in the crowds
on Saturday when the travelling French market came to town. Hundreds of people
jammed the centre of Wokingham and joined huge queues to get a taste of some of the
best food France has to offer. And the jolly atmosphere helped bolster relations with
the visiting dignitaries from Viry Chatillon, who came for the weekend to cement
their twinning links with Wokingham.
Both Mayors, Philip Harding and Gabriel Amard, walked side by side around the
bustling market on Saturday morning admiring the tempting goodies on sale. Mr.
Amard said the mix of both nations had really helped to bring the market to life. Cllr.
Harding agreed that the market was excellent.
After looking around the market the Mayors and their parties took part in a
reaffirmation ceremony in full civic dress in Howard Palmer Gardens, followed by a
town walk in the afternoon and an evening concert at All Saints’ Church.
After a visit to Portsmouth on Sunday, the French guests left for home on Monday
morning. Among the biggest attractions in the market were a huge bread and cake
stall in the centre and cheese stalls nearby. The travelling traders came from all over
Normandy and visit English towns throughout the summer. Gilles Colombier who
was selling fish and fish pastes and soups said a lot of French Wokingham people had
come out to buy his products.
The crepes stall proved very popular as lunch approached and owner Muriel

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