Page 551 - Reading Mercury

placed under a typical fire brigade scheme of decoration. Behind the band platform
was a striking painting, a replica of the Fire Station, Town Hall; with arch, buttresses,
and red doors with fire station and lamp above so marked. Within, behind the glass,
was depicted the latest motor engine and escape. Six fine hand-painted panels
representing various houses-Dutch, Chinese, Grecian, English, Swiss and Hindoo
graced the walls. This artistic work was all done by Fireman R. Giles. Streamers in
the national colours, badges of the National Fire Brigade Association, the colours of
the Wokingham Brigade (blue and gold), with box lanterns and frieze (kindly loaned
by Mr. Cathrow Martin), with evergreens and special lighting made an ideal ballroom,
in which trophies of firemen’s helmets, and fire-fighting appliances glittered and
shone. Music for dancing was supplied by Frank Dyer’s Symphonic Dance Orchestra,
from Oxford, while Messrs. Perkins Bros. Lent a gramophone. The furnishing was
done by Mr. T. M. Welch, and the catering by Mr. E.P. Osmond, caterer, of Peach
Street. Ex-Insp. Haddrell undertook duty at the door.
The attendance was very large and included the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman
and Mrs. Priest), a very representative gathering of the townspeople, also visitors from
Maidenhead Fire Brigade (in uniform) under Third Officer E. Blay, and parties from
Hartley Wintney, etc. The costumes were not very numerous, but were of a high order
of merit. Very noticeable and beautiful were the ball costumes of ladies not in fancy
dress, the vogue of ankle-length skirts predominating. At midnight, Fireman R. Giles
introduced into the darkened hall his “Boneyard Blues,” in which ghostly skeletons in
luminous paint appeared with weird and thrilling effect.
Prizes were won as under:-Most original fancy dress costume in hall, Mrs. E.H.
Perkins, “Midget Golf”; best home-made costume, Miss Harwood, “Cleopatra”; ditto
gentlemen’s, Mr. G. Gough, “Spaniard”; best hired costume (1) Miss A. Miller,
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“Victorian Lady,” (2) Miss K. Miller, “17 Century”; consolation prize, little Moirs
Maddams, “Pineapple.”
Other notable costumes were Miss M. Palmer, “Carnival”; Miss Clements, “oranges
and Lemons”; Mrs. Orchard, “Spanish Lady”; Mr. Carpenter, “Mexican”; Mr. E.J.
Ward, “Russian.”
Prizes were given by Mrs. Berry, Mr. and Mrs. Crawley, Alderman W.T. Martin,
J.P., Dr. H.F. Curl, Supt. Goddard, Mr. H. Spencer, “A Well-wisher,” the Fire
Brigade, Mr. Orchard, Mr. Bassett, Mr. F. Hatfield, Mr. H. Bowyer, and Mr. A. E.
Crew.
Lady Wilson (with whom was Sir Leslie Wilson) distributed the prizes.
Captain W.B. Martin thanked Lady Wilson and Sir Leslie Wilson for their interest
and presence. He also expressed thanks on behalf of the brigade to all who had
worked and contributed to the success of the ball.
Sir Leslie Wilson replying, expressed the pleasure of Lady Wilson and himself to be
there. The brigade were deserving of every support, and he hoped those who had not
yet commenced to support the brigade would hurry up and do so. (Applause.)

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Sat 27 Dec
WOKINGHAM’S WELCOME
Civic reception for Miss Spooner
MAYOR’S TRIBUTE
Cheers for “Daring and Plucky Lady.”
The people of Wokingham, summoned at short notice by the town crier, came to the
Market Place on Monday to honour Miss Spooner, the famous airwoman. On four
previous occasions arrangements had been completed to welcome her, but weather

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