Page 582 - Reading Mercury

donkey who sported a straw hat and who was encouraged along by a bunch of carrots,
tied to a stick. The carrots were a sufficient inducement to enable the donkey to win
every chariot race. Afterwards the victor gave rides to children at a penny a time. A
fight between the gladiators followed, when there were some realistic “knockouts”
with swords, pikes, and a mallet.
FIRE BRIGADE DISPLAY
Following the football matches Wokingham’s Volunteer Fire Brigade were seen in
action. Their display included drill to show the latest type of foam extinguisher in use,
the value of breathing apparatus, rescue work, first aid, and the use of the first-aid
tank. There was also a grand turn-out by the two motor pumps. The serious work
over, some members of the brigade indulged in a burlesque under the title of “Twisted
Hose.” This allowed the discovery of a house on fire by the housewife, who at first
attempted to extinguish it with a toy watering can. She then summoned the fire
brigade, which consisted of an aged and bearded fireman with a handcart. The rustic
fire-fighter’s efforts added to the conflagration rather than hinder it. The crowd was
kept in fits of laughter by this episode.
SPORTS AND PIPERS
CARNIVAL QUEEN PRESENTS PRIZES
The spirit of carnival was rife in the cricket ground throughout the afternoon. The
droll costumes of some of the officials and many of the spectators, and the sparkling
plaids of the Dagenham Girl Pipers, who gave a display, contrived to make the scene
one of the most brilliant of the day. Most of the time was taken by the children’s
sports, which had been arranged by a sub-committee of local school masters.
During an interval the Girl Pipers gave a programme of pipe music and dancing.
This included popular Scotch marches, the “Keel Row,” “Sword Dance” and
“Highland Fling.” The clever way in the girls kept in perfect time in the dances,
although not close to or facing one another, won the admiration of the spectators quite
as much as the stirring way in which they played. It is interesting to note that the
Pipers started among young working girls in Dagenham, and they have proved such a
success that there are now more demands for their services than they can fulfil.
Recently they toured Belgium, and were congratulated by a member of the Belgian
royal family. They have also appeared in the Lord Mayor’s Show, and at Olympia.
A release of a large number of racing pigeons from all parts of the county was made
on the ground by Mr. C.W. Luckock, local organiser of the Berks County Flying
Club. The Wokingham members of the club have also given the proceeds from the
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Rugby race on July 29 to the carnival funds.
At the end of the sports the Carnival Queen presented the sports prizes.
A CAR FOR £5
Following the prize distribution, a large number of articles were auctioned by Mr.
Harold Watts and Mr. Garnet Hall, who gave their services free of cost. The lots
included a five-seater saloon car, which was sold for £5, and a five-valve wireless set,
which realised £2 5s.
The open-air proceedings concluded with community singing, which was led by Mr.
Bert Dicker, of the Cheerio Concert Party, and accompanied by the Wokingham
Town and British Legion Band. A whist drive was held in the Town Hall, and dances
took place at the Drill Hall and the British Legion Hall. The Drill Hall dance was
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organised by “D” (Machine Gun) Company of the 4 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Mr.
Jack Webb was responsible for the dance in the British legion Hall, assisted by the
entertainment committee, with Mr. A. Andrews as chairman, and Mr. A. Andrews,
jun., as hon. secretary. Fred Hare’s Harmony Five supplied the music. The proceeds

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