Page 839 - Reading Mercury

WOKINGHAM SPORT
CRICKET
nd
Wokingham failed by 14 runs to beat their visitors, the Bank of England, 2 XI, on
Saturday afternoon. Set 178 to score (Roadknight 61, Brookes 26; Wilson 5 for 44,
Soper 3 for 38), the Wokingham tail-enders just could not rise to the occasion
although they had been given a grand start by Smith (62), and Drury (28) and Soper
(89). The home team have to accept much of the responsibility for their own defeat,
however, for they conceded no fewer than 26 extras. Ward (6 for 24) was the best
bowler of the day, and he was helped by Roadknight (3 for 46).
nd
The 2 XI had a fine victory at Ascot when they skittled the Royal Ascot team out
for 25 runs and then and then passed this total for the loss of only one wicket.
Billington (5 for 8) and E.F. Gough (5 for 13) were Wokingham’s bowlers, and E.G.
Gough went on to reach his half-century after the home team had lost by 9 wickets. At
84 for 6, Wokingham put Ascot in again, and they had reached 80 for 8 when stumps
were drawn.
th
Sat 25 July
WOKINGHAM’S NEW SCHOOL
FIRST OPEN DAY
The first term’s work at the new Modern Secondary School, Wokingham is drawing
to a close. But in just over 16 weeks the staff and 300 children have achieved much.
Just how much the parents were able to judge for themselves on Wednesday, when the
school was thrown open for their inspection.
The afternoon programme opened with a mannequin parade by the elder girls, who
displayed dresses of their own making and, in some cases, their own design.
The accent was on summer frocks, but two enterprising girls had made themselves
sports clothes. Much of the work was hand-sewn, but Mrs. J. Roberts, who teaches
needlework, said that the school was well equipped with sewing machines, and it was
their policy to get the work done as quickly as possible, consistent with quality. The
girls bought the materials from the school, and the clothes, when finished, were their
own property.
After the parade, Mr. N.L. Smith, music teacher, conducted a choir over 100 strong
in two Elizabethan songs, the accompanist being Miss Mary Joel, one of the pupils.
This was followed by a presentation of the last act of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,”
in which Miss Gilbert, the drama mistress, made full use of the fine hall, the stage, the
auditorium and the surround. An effective idea was to have only the principal
characters in costume. The head master, Mr. E. Bancroft, then told the children to take
their parents on a conducted tour of the exhibition. Here examples of the younger
girls’ needlework, and pottery, woodwork, painting, horticulture and science exhibits
were all eagerly inspected, and drew deserved tributes from the admiring mothers and
fathers.
On Tuesday the governors inspected the school, and saw the mannequin parade,
concert and exhibition.

th
Sat 5 Sept
THE BEAR WOOD ESTATE ERROR
Mr. J. Walter of St. Catherine’s, Bearwood sends the following letter to the editor:-
st
“In your excellent article on Bear Wood (in the Mercury Country) of August 1 , it is
stated that the first purchase of the Bear Wood estate was made in about 1830. This is
the year given in the Victoria County History of Berkshire). As a matter of fact it was

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