Page 632 - Reading Mercury

travelled to Partington, near Hull. Mr. Norman C. Lawrence and helpers supervised
the releasing of balloons.
Mr. George Mead, resident manager of Messrs. Toomer. R and Co., Ltd., organised
and was in charge of guessing the weight of a lorry load of coal.
A full week’s supply of bread was offered as a prize in a competition organised by
Mr. A.C. Hambleton, The Market Place.
Lucky dips proved most popular with the revellers, and Mrs. L. Ralph, who had
charge of the arrangements, and her helpers were kept extremely active.
The fun was kept at a high pitch, when, from the stage, surrounded by children, the
Mayor threw oranges into the crowd, who scrambled for them.
CROWNING OF THE QUEEN
THE MAYOR’S WARM TRIBUTE
Just before two o’clock, a car carrying the Carnival Queen, preceded by a police car
as an escort, arrived at the Market Place. Surmounting the car was a floral crown. The
crowd watched eagerly as Miss Grist was assisted from her car. She was welcomed by
the Mayor and Mayoress, who had been awaiting her arrival on the stage. The
Mayoress was presented with a bouquet of red carnations and maidenhair fern, and
Miss Grist received one composed of pink carnations and maidenhair fern. She looked
radiantly happy, and smiled to the large crowd. Attired in a white moiré taffeta gown,
cut on Elizabethan style, with a Medici collar, Miss Grist made a charming Queen.
Her attendants, Misses Mary Smith, Edna Worrall, Ena Purchase and Jean Weight,
were becomingly dressed in lavender moiré taffeta, and Juliet caps.
The Mayor said it was his pleasing duty to welcome to the town the Carnival Queen
for 1937. “We have always been very fortunate in Wokingham with our Carnival
Queens,” Alderman Barrett continued, “and I know you will agree with me that today
we are still very fortunate in having such a Carnival Queen and her attendants. If I
may say so, I think she makes a beautiful and dignified Queen, and she is fortunate in
her attendants. We wish our Carnival Queen a happy and successful reign, and I know
you will do all you can to make it a happy one for her and her attendants.”
The Mayoress then took the crown from off a mauve cushion, the Queen knelt down
and Mrs. Barrett performed the ceremony in a graceful manner.
Speaking through a microphone, Miss Grist replied, “I wish to thank you very much
for your warm reception. I hope you will have a very happy day, and do not forget
that the carnival funds require your generous gifts.”
HON. MRS. CORFIELD’S TELEGRAM
The Mayor said he had received a telegram from the Hon. Mrs. Corfield, who is on
holiday in Scotland. It read, “I wish you and your committee a successful and happy
carnival tomorrow and good weather.”
After the ceremony, the Queen and her attendants chatted with the Mayor and
Mayoress. To a fanfare of music they re-entered the car amid cheers, and drove
though Denmark Street to the Carnival Field. Here the Carnival Queen and her
attendants, the Mayor and Mayoress were received by Mr. Whittle, and the Mayor
declared Messrs. Whittle monster fun-fair open. Together with the Gordon Boys’
Band, who had provided music during the route, they toured the fair and rode on
various roundabouts.
DIDCOT WIN FIRE BRIGADE CONTEST
Considerable interest was taken in the inter-fire brigade competition, which took
place on the Carnival Field in the afternoon. It is over 25 years ago that Wokingham
was favoured with such a competition. Six teams competed, and the times registered
were very good. The officials were: Judges, Messrs. C.A. Edwards (Sonning), F.J.

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