Page 513 - Reading Mercury

Petition of Protest
Flights were to have been made in the aeroplane on Good Friday, but in response to
a petition organised by the local branch of the C.E.M.S. and signed by a large number
of Wokingham residents, protesting against the proposal, Mr. Lewis refrained from so
doing. A large number of people who visited Wokingham during the weekend to take
advantage of the flights returned disappointed.

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Sat 30 April
THE TERRITORIALS
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Sergt.-instructor T. T. Tanner, of the 1 . Batt. Royal Berkshire Regiment, in
Germany, is the new sergeant-instructor of “D” Company, Berks. Territorials,
Wokingham. He holds 32 trophies for athletics.

NEW FIRE ENGINE FIRST USED
On Saturday, the new motor fire engine, “Reliance,” was used for the first time at a
call of fire, by the Wokingham Fire Brigade, who, with Engineer F. Knight in charge,
responded to a call at the residence of Lieut.-Colonel Harris St. John, D.S.O., J.P., at
Finchampstead. The outbreak was a heath fire, and as no water was near and a broad
road lay between the house and the blaze, the brigade did not get to work at pumping.
It is a coincidence that the first call in which the predecessor of the “Reliance”-the
“Swift”- was first used should have been within half a mile of the same place.

“THE IMPS” AND THE CLINIC
A successful dance was given in the Drill Hall in aid of the Wokingham Clinic. The
organising committee consisted of the Misses V. Wilkinson and K. Blackman,
Messrs. F. Moles, G. Plaster and G. Ballard, and Miss C. Dearlove (hon. secretary).
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The band of the 17, 21 . Lancers was in attendance. Over 100 dancers took part.
Mesdames Stoneman, Langley, Atkins, Pearce and Brazier managed the refreshments.
Those taking tickets and attending included General Sir Walter Cayley and Lady
Cayley, Brigadier-General M. Grant Wilkinson, Mrs. Wilkinson and Miss Wilkinson,
Miss Blakeney, the Misses Greenfield, and Mr. H.S. Hooper (president).

BRIGADIER-GENERAL WILKINSON
The king has appointed Brigadier-General Sir Smith Hill Child, Bart., to be a
gentleman usher in ordinary in the room of Brigadier-General Montagu Grant
Wilkinson, resigned; and Brigadier-General Montagu Grant Wilkinson to be an extra
gentleman usher to his Majesty. Brigadier-General M. Grant Wilkinson has resided
now for some years at Markham House, Broad Street, Wokingham, and has made
himself very popular in the district as a first class amateur actor, ever ready to place
his talents at the disposal of worthy causes, to wit the Orthopaedic Clinic, British
Legion, etc., of which last named he is an active, efficient and energetic member.

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Sat 4 June
LABOUR MEETING
Arranged by the local Labour Party, an open-air meeting was held in the Market
Place on Saturday evening. The chairman was Mr. L. Bryce (secretary of the
University Labour Association). Mr. F.A. Broad, Labour M.P. for Edmonton, was the
speaker, who expounded the Socialist agricultural programme.

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