Page 287 - Reading Mercury

MAGISTRATE’S MEETING
On Tuesday last there was a very full attendance of the Country Justices at the
Town Hall to consider whether it would be more convenient for the Bench to sit in
future one hour earlier when a resolution moved by Sir Warwick Morehead and
seconded by Dr. Bridges was unanimously adopted, fixing the hour of meeting for the
future of Eleven instead of Twelve o’clock, the alteration to take effect from the
present time.

FAIR
Our fair on Monday and Tuesday, owing probably to the fine weather was certainly
the largest we have had for some years. The exhibition and stalls were of the usual
description. Sangar’s Wax Models and a Steam Roundabout evidently were the
greatest attractions, the latter doing a thriving trade. The arrangement of the Alderman
to prevent the fair people taking up their positions in the Town on the Saturday and
Sunday by admitting them free of charge, with their cattle, into his meadow, was
much appreciated by all, the Town being as quiet as usual on Sunday whilst the
travellers were glad to find a turn out with excellent feed without charge. We are glad
to say that not a single case arose during the fair requiring magisterial interference.

WINDSOR FOREST TURNPIKE
On Sunday last at midday this trust expired after an existence of upwards of a
century and at a meeting of the Trustees on Wednesday last, arrangements were made
for the sale by an auction of the toll houses, gates &c. The sites of the houses will be
offered to the adjoining land owners and in a very short time all trace of the turnpikes
will be gone.

th
Sat 12 Dec
GALE BLOWS DOWN ELM TREE
The terrific gale of Sunday night laid low an object of much local interest in the
town – the fine old elm tree near the Roe Buck Inn, in the Market Place, which was
regarded as a great ornament. The tree fell about half past one in the morning with a
loud crash arousing many of those living near from their sleep. It was fortunate the
disaster happened in the night when there was no one about and also that it fell
towards the centre of the Market Place. Formerly there were several elms in Broad
Street but they have disappeared one by one until the tree in the Market Place alone
remained as a relic of past ages, and the theme of many a tale of hairbreadth escapes
when on bull-baiting days our forefathers occasionally had to scramble into the
friendly tree for safety.

1869

th
Sat 5 June
EARLY CLOSING
It is said that the practice adopted here last summer, of closing the shops at five
th
o’clock on Wednesday evenings will be resumed on Wednesday, the 16 of June, and
that it is likely to be as general as it was last year, as it was found to cause no
inconvenience to any one, whilst to those closely engaged in business the extra hours
of weekly relaxation was much appreciated.

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