Page 277 - Reading Mercury

FAIR
rd
nd
The November fair was held on the 2 and 3 inst. but as the magistrates (under the
recent order of Council) had prohibited any cattle being brought to the fair, the
business transacted was very small. In the “pleasure” fair there were the usual stalls
and amusements, but they were generally of a very mean order, Superintendent
Millard with several constables were on duty, but nothing occurred to call for their
interference.

WORKING MEN’S CLUB
This valuable society continues its career of usefulness and is very well supported
by the class for whose especial benefit it was founded. The rooms are well attended,
and no doubt the institution is silently working a great moral improvement in the town
as well as being a source of instruction and intellectual amusement to many. It is
intended on Thursday evening next, to hold a tea meeting of the members and friends
of the society, in the Town Hall after which some interesting addresses and recitations
will be delivered, interspersed with music, &c., so that a very pleasant evening may
be relied on.

nd
Sat 2 Dec
MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT
On Tuesday evening, Mr. Hambling, the “Wizard of the North,” whose performance
the previous week had been largely patronised, repeated his capital entertainment, on
behalf of the funds of the Royal Berks Hospital, and a generous individual having
offered to defray the attendant expenses, the entire proceeds were available for the
charitable object in view. Unfortunately the weather proved very unfavourable, the
rain falling heavily, which, doubtless prevented many from being present. Still, many
were encouraged enough to face the weather and enjoy the very clever performance of
Mr. Hambling, who was loudly applauded throughout. Nearly £12 will be realised for
the hospital.

th
Sat 9 Dec
On Tuesday the Royal Forest Lodge of Oddfellows celebrated their first anniversary
with a soiree in the Town Hall, in the arrangement of which the committee must have
taken much pains, as a delightful evening’s amusement was provided and enjoyed by
a very large party. At five o’clock tea was partaken of by a thoroughly social
gathering. At half-past seven the chair was taken by Mr. Alderman Heelas, who
opened the proceedings with an address, in which he stated that having examined the
rules, &c., of the Society of Oddfellows, he felt it was well worthy of the large and
increasing success it had met with. The Grand Master of the District then gave a brief
history of the origin and progressive success of the Order, and its present proud
position, and also some valuable statistics of the benefits derived by it members,
which information was received with much appreciation. The musical and
elocutionary entertainment was then gone through.
The programme (for which we have not space) was filled with a choice selection of
pieces, and most excellently were they rendered. Mrs. Freeman appeared for the first
time before a Wokingham audience, and made a very favourable impression. The
recitals and scenes were admirably rendered by various gentlemen, while the general
comicality of Mr. Miller closed the performance with some “passing remarks,”
containing capital hits of the chief points of the programme, the audience, and the
locality. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, who had so

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