Page 581 - Reading Mercury

Alderman Priest, in expressing a welcome to the visitors, said there were two
objects to the carnival, one being that they should have a very happy day, and the
other being that they should do their best to lend a helping hand to various
institutions. He hoped that every minute the visitors spent in the town would be
enjoyed, and that they would carry away happy memories of Wokingham’s 1933
Carnival.
The Mayor of Reading, in responding, said Wokingham had a great aim in
supporting the efforts of the Mayor and of the secretary and treasurer of the carnival.
Reading was particularly interested in the carnival because a part of the proceeds
would doubtless find its way to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Reading and
Wokingham were good neighbours, and they were all proud of their towns. On behalf
of Reading he wished Wokingham every success in their carnival.
Good wishes were also expressed by the Mayors of Abingdon, Henley-on-Thames
and Wallingford, and the Constable of Hungerford.
This part of the proceedings closed with three cheers being given for the civic
visitors.
CROWNING THE QUEEN
FARM CART TURNED INTO COACH
There followed the ceremony of crowning the Carnival Queen. This year’s choice
fell on Miss Edith Bowyer, the daughter of Mr. Henry Bowyer, of Ashridge Wood
Farm. Miss Bowyer arrived on the scene in the official motor-car, and looked
resplendent in her robe of ermine-trimmed scarlet. Se mounted the platform and knelt
in front of the Mayor, who placed a jewelled crown on her head. The Queen was
attended by a page dressed in Victorian costume, and three child attendants, who wore
long white dresses, and caps, and carried Victorian posies. After the crowning
ceremony, the Queen was presented with a bouquet of red carnations, whilst the
Mayoress received a bouquet of pink carnations.
The ceremony over, the Queen left for the carnival field. She rode in one of her
father’s farm carts, which had been turned into a regal coach with garlands and
flowers, and with a throne of white and gold. She was followed by the Mayor of
Wokingham and the various civic visitors. “Her Majesty” toured the fair ground, and,
with the Mayor of Wokingham, occupied a horse for the first ride on the roundabouts.
A number of the other mayors accompanied her on this ride.
FOOTBALLER INJURED
This was the signal for the fun in the carnival field to commence. The proceedings
started with a six-a-side football tournament, which was organised by the Wokingham
Town Football Club, with Mr. Harold Lee as the secretary of the tournament. The
Mayor of Wokingham kicked-off for the first match. Four teams entered, the results of
the first round being Sandhurst, 5 goals; Wokingham Wednesday, nil. Wokingham
Rovers, 6 goals; Wokingham Territorials, nil. In the final, Sandhurst were victorious
over Wokingham Rovers by 4 goals and a corner to nil.
The tournament was marred by a serious injury to Scott, one of the Sandhurst
players, who collided with one of the Wokingham Wednesday players and received an
internal injury. A doctor was summoned, and Scott was later taken to the Royal
Berkshire Hospital, where he was detained. On Thursday the hospital reported that
Scott had had a fairly good night, and his condition was slightly better. Frederick Fry,
of Wokingham, was also injured and attended the hospital, but was able to go home
after treatment.
The “arena” was next occupied by Roman gladiators and chariots. The latter were
three in number, and were drawn respectively by a van horse, a cart horse, and a

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