Page 549 - Reading Mercury

town clock, on the face of which were the words “Carnival Time” in place of the
numerals. There were a number of ingeniously decorated cycles, including a tricycle
cleverly built up with large quantities of heather to represent a small saloon motor car,
and in the tableau demonstration of trade. There was nothing better than Mr. Giles’
lorry representing painting and sign writing.
Well known ladies and gentlemen in the district acted as judges and marshals, and
the prize winners were as follows:-
Decorated vehicle 1,Messrs. Jefferies; 2, Messrs Froude and Barrett; 3, Mr. D.
Waite.
Decorated bicycle or tricycle:- 1, Miss Yalden,; 2, Mrs. Davis
Tableau on wheels:- 1. Mr. Thorne
Ladies demonstration of trade:- 1, Mr. Giles; 2, Messrs. Hussey.
Farmer or traders’ turnout:- 1, Mr. Loader.
Pedestrian costume ladies:- 1, Mrs. Valleley; 2, Mrs. Cox; 3, Miss Ravening; h.c.,
Mrs. Carter. Gentlemen:- 1, Messrs Gleed; 2, Mr. Barker; 3, Mr. Eales. Boys:- 1, H.
Reed; 2, Donald Abraham; 3, Bobby Simmonds; h.c., K. Pester. Girls: 1, Cissie
Douglas; 2, Flossie Brant; 3, F. Hopkins; h.c., M. Heasman.
Children’s’ paper costumes:- 1, Joyce Collyer; 2, Horace Simmonds; 3, Elsie Slade.
Pram or fairy cycle:- (children):- 1, L. Millard; 2, Elsie Chandler.
Open class:- 1, Messrs. Hare and Webb; 2, Mr. Trill.
The Wokingham Town and British Military Bands were in the procession with the
Wokingham and Hartley Wintney Fire Brigades and the local ambulance and V.A.D.
representatives, and near the head of the procession the Carnival Queen drove in her
carriage with a maid of honour, while her other attendants followed in the Mayor’s
car.
BATTLE OF CONFETTI
After parading the town the procession assembled in the Market Square, where
confetti fell like snow among a dense crowd of people. The Mayoress presented the
carnival prizes, and later when darkness fell and the town was lit up with coloured
lights there was hearty community singing. People continued the revelries in the
streets until a late hour, while others enjoyed themselves at the carnival fair. Hundreds
more attended the carnival whist drive at the British Legion Hall and the carnival
dances at the Town Hall, where the Harmony Orchestra played, and the Drill Hall,
where the Cabaret Dance Band played. At the Drill Hall a demonstration dance was
given by Miss H. Dyer and Mr. I. Carter. Dancing was continued until 2 a.m.
CARNIVAL POSERS
One incident of the day was the search for Mr. and Mrs. Carnival Spirit, who were
reported missing from their home at 1 p.m. A description was posted outside the
Town Hall and a reward was offered for the persons who correctly challenged them. It
was helpful to the searchers to know that Mr. Carnival Spirit had a liking for treacle
tart, Omar Khayyam and the ladies, while his wife was partial to spaghetti and
“googly” bowlers. Scores of people were challenged as being the missing persons,
and the competition developed into a very amusing affair. Many people also joined in
a search for a pirate’s hoard of gold, the hiding place of which was known only to a
dashing detective named Dinky Doo. To locate the spot it was necessary to solve a
coded sentence, and many people spent a long time hovering round the spot where
they thought the treasure lay, trying to solve the riddle. Another treasure competition
was held on the carnival ground where “Klondyke claims” were staked.

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