Page 559 - Reading Mercury

Wokingham Bowling Club
GIFT TO THE MAYOR
The official opening of the Wokingham Bowling Club green, Reading Road, took
place on Wednesday in the presence of a representative company. The president, Mr.
J.H. Elliston Clifton, and his committee, with Mr. T.W. Park, hon. secretary and
treasurer must have been pleased with the large attendance, which included the Mayor
and Mayoress of Wokingham, Alderman A. E. and Mrs. Priest, Mr. T. Campbell
Dykes (president), and following members of the Berks County Bowling Association
Executive: Messrs. R. Crosby, T. Tickle, H.V. Bull, P.J. Drew, N. Butler, H.A.
Farley, S. Brown, H. Johns, F.T. Thorpe, E. Shuttle, H.Y. Lawrence, W.S. Medcalf,
G.E. Hawes, H.E. Bartlett and W.E. Cumming (who later played a game with the
home club team). Councillors E.S. Whaley, F.J. Barrett, G.C. Wilson, Dr. Ward, H.E.
Bennett, Dr. Curl, Councillor (Mrs.) Griffith, Mr. J. Rolt, K.C., Messrs R.H. Shipp, H.
watts, G. Marshall, H. Bowyer, G.S. Reed, W. Wiskson, G. Jenkins, F.W. Cordery,
A.J. Briden, S. Burrows, H.G. Breach, C.W. Marks, C. Sparkes, W.J. Breach, Rev. H.
Collier, Messrs. W.P. Tucker, H. Painter, H.M. Lewis, T. Payne, F.H.J. Crocker,
Shearn, E.J. Scrivener, W.H. Martin, A.J. Priest, etc., and a large number of ladies.
The well-appointed green, with its surrounding trees and flowering shrubs, together
with the comfortable pavilion, evoked much commendation.
Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton said he had been asked to invite the Mayor to declare the
green open. Mr. Clifton called attention to the excellence of the green admirably laid
by the contractors, Messrs Wood and Son, of Taplow, despite enormous difficulties of
level etc. He drew attention to the pavilion admirably designed, the architect being
their chairman, Mr. H.E. Bennett, who had been indefatigable, and erected by Messrs.
Marfell and Co. They thanked Mr. Garnet Hall of his suggested gift of a sun dial. Mr.
H.E. Bennett and Mr. T.W. Park, their secretary, had done admirable work and
deserved their best thanks. The financial position showed that subscriptions and
proceeds of whist drive amounted to £150. The bank had given them the large credit
of £600. He welcomed Mr. Campbell Dykes and the visiting team. He was proud
indeed that they had come over to open their green. (Applause).
The Mayor said a year ago it was very difficult to say where and how a bowling
green could be provided for Wokingham, but the generosity and public spirit of local
residents triumphed. Mr. Clifton’s help and sympathy had been a very great support
and he (the Mayor) endorsed all that had been said about Mr. Bennett and Mr. Park,
and the members of the executive. On behalf of the town he thanked all who had
worked so hard. The bowling green was not only a great asset to the town in finding
pleasure for residents, but it was an attraction to visitors. Mr. Clifton had given a
handsome donation and the legal advice necessary as well as generous terms as to the
payment of the rent. (Applause).
Gift for the Mayor
Mr. Clifton presented the Mayor with a handsome “jack” on a turned stand, the
th
former bearing a silver plate inscribed: “Wokingham Bowling Club, Opened June 10
1931. To be used not on this green but for himself because of our personal regard,
respect and esteem we have for him.” The Mayor suitably acknowledged the gift.
Dr. Curl, in a humorous speech in which he indicated some of the uses to which the
gift might not be put, introduced Mr. Campbell Dykes, who presented Mr. Clifton
with a similar trophy to the Mayor’s. Mr. Dykes remarked that it was the first green
he had had the chance of opening. He felt a greater pride in handing the gift to their
president (whom he had known many years) on behalf of the Wokingham Bowling

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