Page 362 - Reading Mercury

CRICKET
On Saturday last a match was played upon the ground of the Wokingham club,
between the Excelsior and Binfield elevens. The home team were victorious by 30
runs upon the first innings, making 74, and Binfield 44. Time was called before the
second innings was finished.

OUTING
By the kindness of Ald. Wescott and Mrs. J. Benham, the inmates of the almshouses
were taken to Sonning on Tuesday, where a dinner was provided by Mr. Wescott, and
after a short stay the old people returned home, much pleased with the treat. Mr.
Benham provided the conveyance free of charge.

BICYCLE RACE
A bicycle race, under the auspices of the Wokingham Cycling Club, took place on
Wednesday evening, the course selected being from the “Two Poplars” Inn to the
letter-box at Finchampstead and back, a distance of almost five miles. There were 15
starters, the racing being against time and handicapped, two leaving the starting point
together. The three following were declared the winners. F.J. Wells 1 (18m. 10s.,
allowed 2m); R. Simmons 2 (18m. 12s,, allowed 1m.); W. Scribbens 3 (17m. 20s.).
The quickest time made by the unsuccessful competitors was 10m. 30s., and the
longest 21m. 35s. The first prize consisted of a silver-plated pint tankard; a pair of
plated nut-crackers was the second and the third was a pair of hair brushes and case.
The Rev. J.F. Llewelyn was judge; Mr. W. White starter, and Mr. H. Butler referee
and Messrs. White, Rednall and Butler acted as handicappers. A smoking concert was
afterwards held at the “Bush” Hotel, the Mayor (Ald. Heron) in the chair.

th
Sat 27 June
Saturday last being the anniversary of the accession of her Majesty, flags floated
from the Town Hall and Drill Hall, and other places in the town.

FIRE AT BEARWOOD
On Tuesday morning, between five and six, the Volunteer Fire Brigade received a
telephonic message from Bearwood mansion asking them to attend as a fire had been
discovered. The new steam engine was got out and the men were in readiness to start,
when another message was received by telephone saying that their services would not
be required. The engine was put back, the horses were unharnessed, and some of the
firemen had gone away, when a third message arrived asking the brigade to come as
quickly as possible. On arriving at Bearwood they found that the engine shed,
adjoining the mansion, was on fire at the upper part. The steamer soon however
extinguished the flames, and the fire was confined to the building which was brick
built and slated, and contained a quantity of coal, which had probably become heated,
causing spontaneous combustion. Mr. Walter and family were away from Bearwood
at the time.
This is the first call the brigade has received since the new steamer has been
purchased, and the members were highly pleased with the working of it. The mansion
at Bearwood has telephonic communication with the Wokingham Post Office, as a
great saving of time was affected in sending the message. The various fire
extinguishing appliances used by the employees previous to the arrival of the brigade
proved, it is said, useless.

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