Page 266 - Reading Mercury

On Wednesday, the members of the Corporation, according to the terms of their
Charter, having first met at the residence of the out-going Alderman, attended Divine
service in the Town Hall, and then adjourned to the Council Chamber to elect an
Alderman for the ensuing year, when the choice fell on W. Heelas Esq., who was
unanimously elected, and a cordial vote of thanks was awarded to the ex-Alderman
W.W. Wheeler Esq., for the efficient manner in which he had discharged the duties
and supported the dignity of the office during the past year.

CRICKET CLUB
The members of the Wokingham Club held their first meeting on Wednesday
evening, for the purpose of appointing officers, electing new members, and making
other arrangements for the coming season. The president, vice-president, treasurer,
and committee were re-elected, and Mr. Cotterell was appointed honorary secretary,
since Mr. E. Lane resigned. A number of new members were proposed, and it was
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arranged to play an opening match on Wednesday, 6 of May. The affairs of the club
are in a prosperous state, and encouraged by the success of their last season and the
present favourable weather, the members are anxious to be in the field again, and,
with the matches in view, there is every prospect of a good season’s play.

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Sat 18 April
BALL
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The Ball in our Town Hall on the evening of the 10 inst. was well attended by the
principal county families in the neighbourhood, as a glance at the subjoined list will
show:-- Capt. Hargreaves and party, T.C. Garth Esq., and party; Lord Hillsborough,
Lord A. Hill, Lady Alice Hill and large party; Lady Mary Berkeley and party; W.C.
King Esq., and party; C. Weguelin, Esq., and party; J.J. Bulkeley, Esq., and party; R.
Garrard, Esq., and party; John Walter, jun., Esq., and Miss Walter; Mrs. Caswall and
party; The Misses Powys; Mrs. Earle and party; C. Hulse, Esq., and party; Mrs. And
Miss Sewell; A.G. Williams Esq., Rev. A. Barker; Rev. A. Buchanan; T.K Harman,
Esq., and party; J. Garrard, Esq.,; Capt. Haly, and numerous officers from Aldershot;
the whole party numbering about one hundred.
The decorations from the Hunt Dinner were kindly left, and the ball presented a
most animated and lively scene. The Ball was kept up with great spirit, excellent
performance of Burnham’s band greatly assisting to render this fashionable gathering
as successful as its predecessors. The refreshment department in the hands of Mr. W.
Chambers, as usual, deserved and received much praise. An officer of the Engineers
found on the following morning that he had dropped a £5 note during the night, but it
was fortunately discovered the next day, having doubtless been removed with the
carpets and mats, and left where they were shaken, for some hours unnoticed.

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Sat 19 Sept
LAUD’S CHARITY
This town, as is well known, largely participates in the charities founded by
Archbishop Laud, and amongst the other directions of his Will, a fund was established
for the purpose of apprenticing boys of the age of 14 years, born in the town of
Wokingham, of parents being Members of the Church of England, and parishioners of
the town, and a sum of £ 10 was to be paid by way of premium to the master with
each boy elected. This sum in the days of the good Archbishop, there is no doubt,
represented a very much larger value than it is now the case, and no doubt it was the
means of securing good masters for respectable boys, but in the present times the

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