Page 265 - Reading Mercury

everybody indeed, from the universal expressions of approval heard from every
person interested, the committee must feel that they have achieved the only object
they had in view, of expending the funds so handsomely supplied them to the best
advantage.
But we must now chronicle the events of the day in something like the order they
occurred, and to do so, we must begin with an Irishism, by saving that before the day
did begin a royal salute of, we can’t say how many guns, pistols, and (small) cannons,
awoke the inhabitants, and told them that some had already begun the day’s rejoicings
in their own way. Very clearly might be seen the faces of some who on this day were
determined to see the ‘peep o’ day,’ then the Rifle Volunteers mustered to start for the
wedding, and the streets began to assume their holiday garb,--the decorations were
rapidly completed on the houses, and triumphal arches sprang up with fairy-like
quickness and elegance, whilst flags seemed to issue from every window, and
evergreens were supplied in profusion. Union jacks were hoisted on the Town Hall,
and the tents for the dinner were adorned with numerous flags and tasteful devices, to
describe one half of which would exceed the space allotted to us, but they evinced the
active exertions of the ladies, and were much and deservedly admired by all.
At ten, the school children assembled, and were supplied with medals, headed by
the band and attended by their teachers, marched through the streets, carrying flags
and wearing white rosettes and their medals. Returning to the Market place at twelve,
they entered the tents, when dinner was served up, consisting of roast beef and
mutton, with vegetables, followed by plum puddings (and capital puddings they were)
and appreciated by the juveniles, as might be expected, however, there was plenty to
satisfy them all, although they numbered about 800
At two o’clock the children were dismissed, and their places at the tables taken by
the aged and other poor, to the number of more than 400, and another dinner of the
same description as the former, was set on, with the addition of plenty of ale. Both
dinners were hot, and were superbly cooked; the puddings were made and boiled by
the residents near, indeed, everyone seemed anxious to help.
After dinner, rural sports commenced in Langborough, and were found to afford an
immense amount of amusement to a very large assemblage. At night, a large bonfire
and display of fireworks brought the proceedings to a most satisfactory close, and all
passed off without the least disorder. And thus closed a day that will for ever be
remembered in our local annals, as an occasion of rare festivity and joy. The universal
enthusiasm and loyalty of our old town was never more heartily expressed, and we are
sure the kindly feelings which this celebration has produced amongst us must have a
good effect upon us all. The inmates of the Workhouse had a capital dinner provided
them, and afterwards were allowed to come out and see the doings in the town.

FOX HUNTING EXTRAORDINARY
On Wednesday last, Mr. Garth’s hounds met at Bear Wood, and soon found a fox,
which made its way to Wokingham, and after running through the gardens in the rear
of the houses in the Market Place, sought shelter in the back kitchen of Mrs. Dehay’s
house, and was dragged forth by the huntsmen from the pantry, a hiding place worthy
the cunning of an old fox. Being a vixen she was turned loose, as she was likely to be
the means of providing the worthy master and his pack with some cub hunting next
season.

th
Sat 11 April
CORPORATION

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