Page 859 - Reading Mercury

C.C. Field. There were four classes for children up to twelve years and in each, judges
found their job a difficult one.
The procession
It was undoubtedly the carnival procession in the evening which the crowds were
most anxious to see. But although many of the gaily-decorated vehicles and tableaux
were most impressive, and the people manning them obviously enthusiastic, the
procession as a whole, did not equal the standard of previous years. But the
procession, which extended for a mile, was nevertheless colourful.
It was led by a remarkable line of veteran cars (only one of which, surprisingly
enough, met with any difficulty along the route) followed by two cars carrying the
Mayor and Mayoress and their deputies. Behind them, in an open landau, came the
“Queen” for a day, Miss Audrey Frost, and her retinue. Six bands provided stirring
marching music.
Some of the tableaux in the procession were cleverly presented. Among the
outstanding entries were an illustration of the recent R.S.P.C.A. attempts to rescue
Sally, the seal who was found with a motor-tyre round its neck, and the local Boy
Scouts’ idea of a Viking boat and crew. A topical note was struck by the Wokingham
borough group, which put on view the vehicle which caused them to cancel a trip to
Switzerland when it broke down in France.
Antique horse-drawn vehicles, horsemen and women in fancy dress and bareback
riders from a nearby circus gave a special thrill to the younger people in the watching
crowds. And, of course, there were plenty of laughs as penny-farthing bicycles,
competitors from the previous day’s pram race, and many weirdly-dressed pedestrians
released rainbow-coloured streamers and balloons.
Carnival Ball
To round off Carnival Day there was a ball at the Drill Hall (with music provided by
Norman Hackett and his band), carnival dances at the British Legion Hall and the
Waterloo Restaurant, and an old-time ball at California, which went on till 1 a.m.
In connection with the carnival, shopkeepers in the town were invited to take part in
a shopping week. This consisted of a window-dressing competition in which points
were awarded for carnival atmosphere, originality, selling appeal, cleanliness and
show ticketing and detail. A panel of independent specialists judged the windows on
Wednesday morning. Although the entries were considerably down on previous years,
and the standard considered not as high, the judges found competition just as keen.
Special Service
On Sunday, the Rev. R.S. Owens conducted a special service in All Saints Church,
Wokingham, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress. Later that evening the /mayor was
among those who enjoyed a concert given in the Langborough Road Recreation
Ground by the St. Sebastian’s Parish Band.
Monday evening was, for the children at least, a foretaste of Carnival Day itself.
Over 200 filled the Drill Hall for a fancy dress party, organised again by Mr. and Mrs.
R. Maddams. Almost all the children were in costume. Enjoying themselves as much
as the children, at times it seemed even more so, were the two clowns—Smokey and
Hampe—who have made themselves great local favourites since the circus came to
town. Dick Giles and his puppets were much appreciated, and the conjurer too
delighted the kiddies.

th
Sat 11 Sept
PRIDE IN HIS WORK
FIFTY YEARS A BLACKSMITH

857