Page 547 - Reading Mercury

bright young people and was crowned by the Mayoress, after which she drove away
with the Mayoress and her retinue in open carriages drawn by horses to the carnival
ground in Finchampstead Road, where hundreds of people had gathered for the
afternoon’s proceedings. The merriment was also continued in the streets of the town,
and Wokingham Band played outside the Town Hall.
THE SPORTS
The sportsmen of the town took charge of the afternoon’s proceedings and
entertained a large number of people in the large meadow at the corner of
Finchampstead Road and Wellington Road. There were amusing events of all
descriptions, while many found the side-shows and the air very attractive,
chairoplanes, flying cockerels and a cakewalk proving particularly popular.
The comic football match was organised by the Wokingham Town Football Club,
and was said to have been a representation of the great cup final at Wembley. It was
certainly a cup final, judging by the vigour displayed by those taking part, but those
who wish to see a real football match are still advised to go to Wembley. Whether the
fact that the players were in fancy costume prevented them from telling for which side
they were playing, it is difficult to say, but, at any rate, it did not seem to matter into
which goal the ball went. Neither were their methods stopping opponents according to
F.A. rules, but they were none the less effective. Hockey sticks seemed to be in
frequent use, while one player found his umbrella extremely useful for stopping the
ball. Whatever the result, it was thoroughly enjoyed by players and spectators alike.
THE BEAUTY SHOW
Then came the chief event of the afternoon—the great beauty show. The beauty
show was open to both ladies and gentlemen, but they seemed to be all strong, silent
men at Wokingham, and rather frightened of the limelight. The ladies, however,
determined to show how brave the weaker sex can be on occasions, and there was a
bevy of beautiful lasses to be judged. The judges were Councillor Major Greenstreet
and Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton, and they made their awards as under: 1, Grace
Gudgeon; 2, Eileen Lailey; 3, Mrs. J.A. Walker. The programme stated that
Wokingham has always been famous as the home of feminine beauty. Those who saw
the beauty show were unanimous in this opinion, including Mr. Donovan Watts, the
organiser.
VISIT OF THE “ALL BLACKS.”
Having beaten the M.C.C. at cricket, the Wokingham Cricket Club have become so
proud of themselves that many of the members have had to buy new hats. These were
displayed at the carnival when the club challenged the famous “All Blacks” at
Rugger. The term “All Blacks” was rightly used, although the application of a little
water might have made a big difference. However, the “All Blacks” proceeded to
show the lads of Wokingham how Rugger should be played, and won a hard-fought
match by several tries—jolly good tries, in fact. It was a hard-fought match in the
sense that both teams turned out in sacks, and the object of the game was not so much
to propel the ball towards goal as to disrobe one’s opponents or whoever happened to
be standing nearby. In fact, according to the rules of the game, which were quite
definitely given in the carnival programme, it was stated that the side which lost all its
clothing first would be the winners. It was, therefore, quite a judicious warning to
spectators not to trespass on the pitch. After the sacks and other articles of clothing
had been removed the players settled down to serious play, but it was fairly obvious
that the rules of the game had been “slightly” amended for this particular match. It
was jolly good fun, however, and the players entered into the spirit of the thing with

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