Page 901 - Reading Mercury

“QUIZ” SUCCESS
Four girls from the Holt School, Wokingham, are hoping to spend a summer holiday
in Madeira next year. For this is the first prize in the nation-wide “Outspan” road
safety “quiz” competition organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents, and on Friday last week the “Holt” team had a resounding win over the
Ashmead School, Reading, in a regional contest.

th
Sat 28 Dec
THE HUNTER IS NAMED
“PRESENTATION”
The 104-years-old Garth Hunt met in traditional style, surrounded by many
hundreds of the townsfolk in the Wokingham Market Place on Boxing Day.
This year provided an occasion unique in the history of the Hunt; Mr. R.H.R.
Palmer, who had been greeted by the Mayor, Cllr. E.W. Goodchild, referred to the
“coming of age” of Miss Effie Barker as a Master of Hounds, and went on to speak of
her record as a Master, firstly in her own right and then jointly with others, including
Lord Northesk, Mr. Vivian Simonds and latterly Mr. Michael Downes.
In recognition of this fine record, said Mr. Palmer, the members of the Garth and the
neighbouring South Berks. Hunt decided to make a gift to Miss Barker, and there was
only one possible choice—a horse.
It was difficult, went on Mr. Palmer, to secure a good mount at this time of year, but
Miss Barker had been fortunate, and a six-years-old chestnut hunter had been found. It
should give good service for at least 10 years, and he asked Miss Barker to accept it.
Replying, Miss Barker said she found it difficult to express her thanks adequately in
words. The life of a Master was said to be full of ups and downs but she was happy to
say there had been more ups than downs.
This she attributed with gratitude to the kindness, understanding and friendliness of
all in the Garth Hunt.
Miss Barker made a point of thanking the followers of the hunt, whether mounted,
on foot, bicycle, or in cars. It was, she said, appropriate that the hunter she had been
given should be called “Presentation.”
Concluding, she said the gift had made her “the happiest woman in England today.”
After the stirrup cup had been served from Ye Olde Rose Inne, the hunt moved off
with Miss Barker riding her new mount.

1958

st
Sat 1 Feb
CLOSING DOWN
One of Wokingham’s best-known business men closed his shop doors to the public
for the last time this week. He is Mr. W.W. Stewart, who has carried on a cycle trade
at the corner of Rose Street and the Market Place for the past 21 years. Standing in the
now almost empty shop, with the remains of his stock awaiting collection., Mr.
Stewart told me this week that he had not intended retiring yet, but had very little
choice as he did not own the property. He came to Wokingham, he said, when he was
12 months old, and on leaving school was apprenticed with Mr. Eric Perkins, who
formerly ran a cycle business where Messrs. Drake and Mount are now. For some
time he had a shop in Denmark Street, and, with a partner, later ran a garage in Rose
Street. In 1936 his present shop was opened at a former doctor’s surgery. Although he

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