Page 517 - Reading Mercury

Alderman P. Sale announced that the town clerk had recently received from a Miss
Eagan-he did not know whether she was an old resident of the town, or the relative of
a resident-an interesting document printed on silk, giving a programme of a ploughing
match held by the Wokingham Agricultural Association in Holybush Meadow,
Barkham Road, in the first week in October, 1836. Even in those days there were
prizes for the improvement of agricultural labourers and servants in the parish of
Wokingham, Finchampstead, Barkham, Arborfield, Swallowfield, Hurst and
Ruscombe, a very considerable area. The document stated that the patron of the
association was His Most Glorious Majesty King William IV. Although it was so long
ago as ninety years, yet the amount of the prizes or premiums as they were termed,
was not really very different from those offered today. The amount for a first prize
was £2. In those days apparently agricultural labourers or servants were not trusted
with the cash for the prize-winners received clothing to the value of the amount
awarded. (laughter). He did not see that the association gave prizes in those young
days for anything else other than the various operations in animal husbandry, for
which men, boys and females employed as agricultural servants competed. There was
apparently no root show in those days.
He thought it was very good of Miss Eagan, who, so far as he knew had no
connection with Wokingham, to send them such an interesting old document, and he
proposed the gift be accepted with the best thanks of the council.
This was agreed to.
Replying to Councillor Chapman the Mayor said the document would be added to
the archives of the town.
Alderman Martin said he hoped that some day they would have a room which they
could use as a museum and display their treasures and other interesting documents.

1928

th
Sat 7 Jan
WOKINGHAM TOWN F.C.
The Ground Secured
TRIBUTE TO MR. A.H. JONES
The Wokingham Town Football Club has acquired its ground. The matter was
referred to at this meeting of the Wokingham Town Council on Thursday.
A Cordial Resolution
Councillor F.S. Perkins moved the following resolution:--“The Town Council,
representing the inhabitants of this borough of Wokingham, congratulates and
expresses its gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Arthur H. Jones for his successful and
arduous efforts in acquiring the Wokingham Town Football Club ground in
Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, for the use of this ground for sport for this and
future generations.” In moving the resolution Councillor Perkins mentioned that
football was played on the ground over 50 years ago. Mr. Jones had been intimately
associated with the ground for over 38 years. In September, 1924, the football club
were informed that its ground was to be sold, and Mr. Jones, who was secretary,
thought out a scheme for purchasing the ground, and a contract was signed for £900.
Mr. Jones then had to go to hospital, where for six months he was ill, and during a
part of that period seriously ill. On leaving the hospital he again attacked the problem,
and between March, 1925, and last Christmas he raised the whole amount necessary
by means of subscriptions, whist drives, concerts and collecting pennies from people

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