Page 580 - Reading Mercury

The Rag Collectors seemed determined to exceed themselves this year. They were
out at an early hour despite the rain, holding up motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to
ransom, which, in most cases, was willingly forfeited. As has already been stated,
there were fancy costumes everywhere. Some of the collectors went back to Victorian
days for their dresses, others appeared to have come from every country in the world,
whilst others must have looked very far ahead, for they were extremely futuristic
attire. The band of the Gordon Boys’ Home and the Dagenham Girl Pipers paraded
the streets throughout the day.

Dagenham Girl Pipers

MEANS OF COLLECTING MONEY
Various means of extorting the nimble copper were resorted to, among them being
Signoretta Collectum’s barrel organ and jazz and nigger bands, whilst one company of
collectors carried a tarpaulin around with them, so that those who watched from the
upper rooms should not escape paying tribute. “Bonzo,” a fine Great Dane belonging
to Mrs. R.M. Mainprize, was one of the most enthusiastic collectors of all.
There was no more strenuous worker for the carnival than the Mayor of Wokingham
(Alderman A.E. Priest), who set a fine example to the rest of the citizens by his
numerous acts on behalf of the carnival funds. His first official act was to release a
gas-filled balloon from the Market Place. From that moment until late in the evening
balloons were being sent up in connection with a competition organised by Mr.
Norman Lawrence, a prize of a guinea being offered for the label returned from the
furthest spot.
WELCOME TO MAYORS
A feature of the carnival this year was the visit of a number of chief magistrates
from the various boroughs of Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The visitors included the
Mayor and Mayoress of Reading (Councillor and Mrs. A W Tudor), the Mayor of
Abingdon (Councillor A.E. Tombs), the Mayor and Mayoress of Wallingford
(Alderman and Mrs. L. Shepperd), the Mayor and Mayoress of Henley (Councillor
and Mrs. W. Lee), and the Constable of Hungerford (Dr. T.G Starkey-Smith).
Apologies for inability to attend were received from the Mayors of Maidenhead,
Newbury and Windsor.
The visitors were welcomed by the Mayor of Wokingham, who occupied a
decorated platform erected in the Market Place. Supporting him were Alderman W.T.
Martin, Alderman P. Sale, Alderman E.S. Whaley, Councillor F.J. Barrett, Councillor
C Goddard etc.

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