Page 482 - Reading Mercury

With the retirement of Mr. A.E. Priest from the hon. secretaryship of the
Wokingham Town Cricket Club an almost unique record of service is brought to an
end, as for nearly fifty years members of the staff and firm of Messrs. Cooke, Cooper
and Barry, solicitors, have filled this office. In 1877 Mr. F. Bartlett was appointed and
held the position for ten years, he was succeeded by Mr. Barry, who remained in
office for 25 years, and lastly Mr. A.E. Priest rendered valuable services as hon.
secretary for ten years.

WESLEYAN GIRL GUIDES
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On Wednesday the 3 Wokingham Coy. Of Girl Guides (Wesleyan) gave a concert
and entertainment in the Wesleyan schoolroom in aid of the renovation fund of the
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church. Captain R. Smith (2 Coy.) presided, and other local companies assisting
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were 1 Coy. (All Saints’) and 2 Coy. (Grosvenor School). A sale of work was held,
and other attractions included hoop-la, art gallery, refreshments, flower stall, etc. The
Rev. G.H. Morris and Mrs. Morris were present. Lady Victoria Villiers (District
Commissioner, Girl Guides) also graced the proceedings with her presence.

THE TANNERY OFFERED
“The Tannery,” in Barkham Road for many years in the occupation of Messrs
Philbrick and latterly Harry Grace Ltd was offered for sale by auction on Tuesday at
the Rose Hotel, by Messrs. Ayres and Richards, auctioneers, Reading. There was a
large company present. The bidding opened at £1,400, and, after advancing by sums
of £100 to £1,900, the bidding dropped to £50 and ceased at £2,300, after which the
auctioneer announced that he must bid on behalf of the vendors; this he did and the
property was bought in at £2,500. It seemed from such a large company present that
there should be no difficulty in disposing of this lot. “Loddon Bridge House” and
works near Loddon Bridge, Earley, with over 7 acres, attracted much attention. The
bidding started at £700 and immediately jumped to £1,000. After much competition
the property was knocked down at £1,800.

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Saturday 9 Dec.
Vacancies in the fire brigade have been filled by E P Osmond, W W Stewart, C F
Mason and R Maddams.

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Sat 16 Dec.
FLYING TOO LOW.
AIRMAN FINED AT WOKINGHAM
An interesting case was heard at the Wokingham County Police Court on Tuesday
when an airman was fined for flying at too low an altitude over the town. A summons
for trick-flying over the town was dismissed. The proceedings the first of their kind
for Berkshire were taken under the Air Navigation Orders.
The defendant, Sidney Frank Woods, a young airman with considerable war
experience in various parts of the world, was stated to be now in the employ of the
Berkshire Aviation Company which arranged for a series of passenger flights and air
tricks during the past week at Wokingham. His address was given as “Hillside”
Lilleshall, Salop and he was summoned for breaches of Air Navigation Orders by
reason of the low altitude was the cause of unnecessary danger to persons below and
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also with carrying out trick-flying over a town area both on December 6 . He pleaded
not guilty and Mr. A F Clark (Reading) defended.

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