Page 382 - Reading Mercury

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light roach tackle in the Loddon, on July 29 , accompanied by Mr. Smale, of
Wokingham, caught and landed a fine tench weighing four pounds.

Sat 21st Aug
OUT-DOOR FETE
An open-air fete was held at the Rectory grounds by permission of Canon and Mrs.
Sturges, on Wednesday in aid of the funds of the Church of England Temperance
Society, the Magpie C.C., and the Parish Church organ fund. The weather sadly
interfered with the success of the undertaking, the rain descended at intervals all
through the day. In the afternoon the Band of the Gordon Boys’ Home paraded the
streets of the town and proceeded to the Rectory where a jumble sale managed by
Miss Sturges was held and resulted in a profit of £13. Physical exercises, drills, etc.
were performed by a squad of boys from the Gordon Home, and a concert was given
by ladies and gentlemen in the Rectory. The band performed at intervals during the
afternoon and evening, whilst out-door games were provided in a meadow close by.
Considering the inclement weather a good number of persons were present including
Mrs. Sturges, the Misses Ellisons, Miss Maitland, Capt. And Miss Gregorie, Mr and
Miss Hatherall, M. and Mme Marcuard de Montet, Rev. R. von Muller Nixon, Rev.
and Mrs. Page, Mrs. Ward, Rev. Lawson, Councillor P. Sale, etc.

THE MAYOR’S WATER PARTY
On the invitation of the Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, the members of the
Town Council and their wives enjoyed a water picnic on the Thames on Monday. The
party, numbering about 80 left Wokingham by an early train, and on arriving at
Reading were conveyed to Caversham-bridge, where they embarked on Mr. Bona’s
splendid steam-launch “Fashion,” and at once proceeded down the river. The day was
gloriously fine, and everybody on board thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which extended
as far as Cookham. Luncheon was served in the saloon by Mr. Chambers of the
Market-place, Wokingham, and on the return journey tea was also provided.
Caversham was reached in the evening about 7.30, enabling the party to get to
Wokingham about 8.o’clock.
The excursion was duly appreciated by those who were able to be present, and, as in
1895, this outing will be pleasantly remembered for a very long time in connection
with Counc. Phillips’ occupancy of the Mayoral chair.

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Sat 28 Aug
FATAL EXPLOSION OF AN OIL LAMP AT THE WALTER ARMS INN, BEARWOOD
A very sad incident happened on Sunday evening at the Walter Arms Inn,
Bearwood. Mrs. Ellen Cook, wife of the landlord, was carrying a lamp upstairs when
it exploded, and she was so severely burnt that she died on Monday evening. At the
inquest, held by Mr. W. Weedon, coroner, at the “Walter Arms” on Wednesday, the
following evidence was given:-
John Cook, landlord of the house, said deceased was his wife, and she was 40. On
Sunday evening, about 10, when closing the house, witness walked outside with
David Lyddiatt. In a minute or so he heard a scream and rushed back into the house.
He saw flames at the bottom of the stairs and his wife lying there. Witness called for
help did the best he could to put out the flames. When they had previously gone out of
the house his wife met them in the passage. She had no lamp. When they found her
the bottom of the lamp was on the stairs and the remainder scattered about. It was a

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