Page 323 - Reading Mercury

figures. R. Baldwin and Gater shared the bowling in the first innings of the visitors
with singular effect. Baldwin sending up eight overs for 19 runs, whilst Gater bowled
eight overs for eight runs, taking three wickets.

th
Sat 11 Sept.
THE WOKINGHAM FIRE BRIGADE
The periodical entitled “The Fireman” for this month has an article on provincial
fire brigades to which, with reference to the Wokingham Fire Brigade. It says:-
st
“The Volunteer Fire Brigade to Wokingham was established on the 1 March 1877,
by Mr. John W. Briginshaw and some fellow townsmen, under the auspices of the
Wokingham Local Board. Before that time the parish engine was in the possession of
the police, and the work of attending to it and working it at fires being only a
secondary part of their duties. It had for some time been felt that an independent
organisation was advisable and even necessary. Accordingly a meeting of the
ratepayers was convened, and after some discussion it was resolved to establish the
brigade and to request the Local Board to hand over their fire engine an old
Merryweather manual, dating from 1840 and appliances to its keeping. This was
readily agreed upon by the Board: and the brigade next started a subscription list to
provide funds for the purpose of obtaining a new engine and some new hose; they also
wished to repair the old engine, to clothe and accoutre the firemen, and to build an
engine house.
It is much to the credit of Wokingham that all these objects were accomplished in a
remarkably short space of time; in 1879 the brigade had affected its purposes and was
out of debt. The engine purchased was a London brigade pattern manual with 7 in
pumps, two deliveries, double folding pumping levers, and with all the most modern
appliances; the whole being supplied to them by the Long Acre firm. In addition to
this the Royal Society for the Protection of Life has repeatedly granted the brigade an
escape, and a suitable enclosure has been erected for the same alongside the engine
house, beneath the Town Hall, and in the most central part of the town. The brigade is
now, therefore, fully equipped and consists of a very reliable body of men.

th
Sat 18 September
FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION
The members of the Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade competed for prizes at
Weybridge on Thursday last. In the six-man drill eight brigades competed, and
Wokingham took the fourth place. In the four-man drill, nine brigades competed,
Wokingham scored sixth. In ambulance drill, hand pump and foot race, Wokingham
took second position in each contest.

rd
Sat 23 Oct
MUSICAL SOCIETY
A meeting was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening for the purpose of
establishing a musical Society for Wokingham. Mr. Ald. Heelas presided, and was
supported by the Rev. J.T. Brown, Mr. C.T. Murdoch, The Rev. J.F. Llewellyn, Mr.
H. Roberts, Mr. Watts, the Rev. E.G. Coppleston, Mr. J.W. Briginshaw, Mr.
Henderson, Mr. T.S. Brown, Mr. Heron, Mr. Harvey & c.
Mr. Murdoch proposed, and the Rev. J.T. Brown seconded, in able speeches, “That
a Musical Society be established in Wokingham during the winter months.” The
resolution was carried unanimously. A committee was formed, to consist of Mr. T.S.
Brown, Mr. Watts, Mr. J.W. Briginshaw, the Rev. E.G. Coppleston, Mr. Henderson,

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