Page 520 - Reading Mercury

PALMER SCHOOL TREAT
By the kindness of Mr. C. Mansfield, Mr. Garnett and Mr. Wallis the Palmers
School treat was held on Wednesday at the playing fields at Wixenford. The Fire
Brigade under Captain W.B. Martin boiled the water for tea with their engine. Friends
of the school who sent conveyances included Mr. R.H.R. Palmer (2), Mr. E.C. Hughes
(2), Mr. Collingbourne, Mr. Colgate, Mr. H. Bowyer, Mr. C. Bowyer, Messrs. Herring
Bros., the Wokingham Laundry Co., Messrs Minchin Bros., Mr. W.G. Jeffries and
Mr. E.W. Reeves. Wokingham Town Band, as usual, played the school home in the
evening. Upwards of 400 children took part. Under Mr. H.F. Maidment, Miss Jones
and the staff a capital sports programme was carried out.

WOKINGHAM GIRL IN AIR RACE
Miss Winifred Spooner, the only woman pilot in the King’s Cup air race, who won
the J.D. Siddeley trophy for club members of various flying clubs, and was third in
the race for the King’s Cup, lives at Wokingham. The Siddeley trophy carries with it
an award of £150, and the third prize in the King’s Cup in £50 (presented by the
Blackpool Tower Company).
Miss Spooner was warmly congratulated by everyone on her success. She had a
very difficult time, like the other pilots, during the night in getting over the hills from
Newcastle to Glasgow. She led the competitors over the first three obstacles in the
second circuit, but between Bristol and Lympne she dropped to second place, and
from the last-named place to Brooklands Motor track, the finishing point, she was
overtaken by the runner-up. Her total flying time was 13 hours 9 minutes 15 seconds,
and her average speed 83½ miles an hour.
A member of the London Flying Club, Miss Spooner has also joined the newly-
formed Berks, Bucks and Oxon, Aeroplane Club. She has held a pilot’s certificate
about a year, and has done nearly 200 hours solo flying.

th
Sat 4 August
ST. PAUL’S DAY SCHOOL TREAT
Scholars of St. Paul’s Day School were given their annual summer treat last Friday
week. Tea was served in the school after which the scholars, led by the Town Band
(who had played during tea) under Mr. S.A. Griffin, marched to the rectory lawn
where sports and games were played. There were also daylight fireworks.

SUCCESSFUL CHURCH FETE
At a special meeting of St. Paul’s Parochial Church Council, the proceeds of the
recent fete were apportioned to various funds. The profit was £131 8s. 0d and was
disposed of as under:- Churchwarden’s fund, £25; Additional Curate fund £25;
Diocesan fund, £15; lesser grants, £10 and £5. A balance of £22 8s. 0d. was placed in
the Rector’s General Purpose fund. The Rector thanked Mr. A.E. Priest, the hon.
secretary for his services.

GOLDEN WEDDING
st
Fifty years ago, on August 1 , 1878, Mr. Devonshire Penrose Hawkes was married
to Miss Sarah Popham Horsford at Timoleague Church, Co. Cork, Ireland. There were
200 guests, and the whole population kept holiday. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes on
Wednesday quietly celebrated their golden wedding at their home, Embrook House,
Wokingham. They received several gifts, also numerous congratulatory telegrams.

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