Page 653 - Reading Mercury

either end in case one was blocked by a bomb explosion. “I have not seen this
announced before,” said Mr. Thorpe, “and I think it is my duty to make it known, as it
is of great public interest. The shelter will accommodate at least 200 people and it is a
great piece of work on the part of Alderman Martin. I would like to thank Alderman
Martin on behalf of the town for his public-spirited action. We all hope the shelter
will not be needed but the people in the vicinity may live to thank Mr. Martin very
much indeed.”
“It is remarkable,” continued the Mayor, “how the name Martin figures in the life of
the town, and that three of the men I have mentioned tonight should be brothers.
Think of the public service these three men have given to the town. Wokingham owes
a great debt of gratitude to the Martin family.”

th
Sat 18 March
WOKINGHAM CRICKET CLUB MEETING
Demonstration Of Loyalty From Members
In recent months there has been a persistent and plausible rumour that Wokingham
Cricket Club would pass into extinction. Statements have been made regarding money
troubles and the impossibility of overcoming them.
A club like this, however, has an asset which never appears on the balance sheet but
it is worth more than any financial or material holding. That is the asset of loyalty and
tradition. It is that asset that has not only saved the club but has launched it on a new
career full of hope and promise.
At the annual meeting of the club on Friday last week, Mr. G.C. Wilson, retiring
hon. treasurer, said there was a small credit balance at the bank, but immediate
liabilities totalled £45 9s. 3d. He mentioned that a recent appeal from the club brought
in £14 17s., and he had put that in a separate account to be used if the club carried on.
If it closed down, he intended to return the money to the donors.
In less than one minute members at the meeting had offered enough money to
enable the outstanding liabilities to be met. It was a remarkable demonstration of
loyalty to a club, which has done so much to improve the standard of cricket in East
Berks. And that was not the full complement. Mr. Wilson, who bought a mower on
behalf of the club some time ago, said that there was still £48 outstanding on the
purchase price, but he intended to wipe that off as a parting gift. It was announced that
the Marquess of Downshire had given the club one debenture and five ordinary shares
in Wokingham Sports Ground, Ltd., and it was further announced that the club’s
Entertainments Committee would guarantee to raise £20 this year.
President’s Appeal
Dr. E.F. Smith, president, who was in the chair, urged that the time had come for
every member to pull his weight to justify the support given to the club. Mr. Wilson’s
report stated that the last season had been started with an overdraft of £34 5s. 3d. The
year’s receipts totalled £111 2s. 3d., and they had cleared the overdraft to leave a
credit balance of £3 11s. 10d. Immediate liabilities were £40 for ground rent and
smaller bills, totalling £5 9s. 3d.
The report of the hon. secretary (Mr. H.R. Wells) stated that the club had played 52
games last season, won 26 and lost 25, one being a draw. Nobody had scored a
century. Mr. Wells said he would have to resign office owing to pressure of business.
There was some discussion concerning subscriptions, and it was eventually agreed
to let them remain at 15s. for playing members, 7s. 6d. for junior members and 2s. 6d.
for honorary members.

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