Page 585 - Reading Mercury

The funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Church, Wokingham, on Thursday, the
rector officiating.

th
Sat 25 Nov
MR. PRIEST’S FOUR YEARS’ MAYORALITY
Gift from Wokingham Sportsmen
At the Wokingham Club on Friday evening last week a large gathering assembled to
make a presentation to the late Mayor of Wokingham, Alderman A.E. Priest.
Dr. H.F. Curl, who presided, said the idea originated with Councillor G.C. Wilson,
the energetic hon. secretary of the Wokingham Cricket Club. People hardly realised
what Councillor Wilson had done and was doing for the town of Wokingham in the
interests of sport. They were making this presentation to the best sporting Mayor
Wokingham had ever had. The subscription list was open to all, the minimum
subscription being 1s. Sportsmen of the town had nobly come forward, and the
donations included those from the unemployed, who had added their little homage as
they could. Speaking as a councillor, he had served for four years under Alderman
Priest. The period could be divided into four parts. For three years as peaceful
working during which he earned appreciation and respect for the way in which he
carried out his duties, impartially and with tact. He only carried on the fourth year at
their request; that year had been a stormy one. By his conduct in the chair during that
year he added to the appreciation and respect of the aldermen and councillors. He had
tackled difficult problems with determination and grit. He was a little fellow, but a
great Mayor.

The Ex-Mayor’s Versatility
Councillor G.C. Wilson said they all knew of the great debt of gratitude they owed
to Alderman Priest. He was always ready to help in the cause of sport—he would play
in a cricket match, kick off at football. Bully off at hockey, play bowls, and could
even throw a good dart. (Laughter). If a boxing tournament was held in the town, he
believed he would start proceedings by hitting both men on the jaw! As cricketers
they all knew he had been batting on a very bad wicket during the last 12 months
against bad bowling.
Mr. G.H. Dowty (chairman of the Wokingham Club) said that Alderman Priest had
always been willing to assist the club; he had taken a great interest in bowls, and had
presented the ladies’ challenge cup.
Mr. T.W. Park (Wokingham Bowling Club) associated himself with the remarks of
the previous speakers.
Tribute from the Unemployed
Mr. W. Watts, representing the unemployed, thanked the Mayor for his support to
the Wokingham Rovers Football Club, better known perhaps as the Unemployed
Football Club. Without his assistance and support they would not have been able to
carry on. During his four years of office he had looked after the unemployed, for
which he (the speaker) extended their grateful thanks.
Mr. W.H. Lee (Wokingham Town Football Club) and Mr. J.L. Langley (third
eleven, Wokingham Cricket Club) added their tributes.
Dr. Curl then asked the late Mayor to accept a solid silver cricket bat, mounted on a
massive plinth, on which was a silver plate inscribed: “Presented to Alderman A.E.
Priest, J.P., by the sportsmen of his native town as a token of appreciation of a
sportsman’s innings as Mayor of Wokingham, 1929-33.”

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