Edward VIII in Reading
In April we received a photo of Edward VIII (not this photo) which we thought related to the Chapel in Spencers Wood. Since then, we have discovered that the Prince of Wales as he was then, had visited Reading in June 1926, after postponing his visit twice since April. He was supposed to have opened the new Caversham Bridge in April but the Mayor substituted instead. When the Prince was here, he visited Sutton’s Seed Grounds, Huntley and Palmer’s factory then Caversham Bridge. He travelled to Reading Bridge by boat and took lunch at the Town Hall. In the afternoon he visited the Co-operative Bakery, Simond’s Brewery, Huntley, Bourne and Stevens, the Royal Berkshire Hospital, the University, Reading School, and Palmer Park where he was cheered by school children before returning to Reading Station. In July, Reading was visited by King George V and Queen Alexandra to attend the Royal Show held in King’s Meadow. Edward came on the Wednesday afternoon and his intention was conveyed by telegraph. The photo relates to this.
According to the Reading Chronicle, he was loudly cheered on entering the ground, Sir Gilbert Greenall, receiving His Highness at the entrance. Lord Desborough received him at the grandstand. The prince arrived in time to see the grand parade of winning cattle, which included the shorthorn bull which gained for HRH the shorthorn championship. The grandstand was crowded with spectators who loudly cheered the Royal visitor as he entered the Royal Box from where he saw the prize animals pass in procession and later witnessed the jumping and driving competitions.
The photo contains other people of which one might be the local MP for Reading, at that time, Mr H G Williams.
At the same time as the above, in the Reading Chronicle, was an article about the Reading Temperence Fete, which was held at McIlroys Sports Ground in Leibenhood Road. A parade was led by Spring Gardens Silver Prize Band, from Cheapside to the ground, and the Societies represented were BWTA Reading West, St Mary’s Castle Street, Burghfield Primitive Methodists, the IOGT, Fireside Mission, London Street Methodists, Elm Park Wesleyan, BWTA (Central) and Spencers Wood Congregational. Each group held banners and dressed in costume with prizes awarded to each group. The paper recorded the names of the prize winners; that is all except Spencers Wood which is a pity because we as a group would loved to have seen their names. The banners read, ‘We want Prohibition’ or something similar, as this was the prohibition era.
We have a few names attached to the other photo given to us by Margaret Baker showing a concert party at the Chapel in March 1921 which provided the means of purchasing a tricycle for Jack Povey.
On the back of the photo a poem reads:-
To Miss Winnie Pyke.
Our heartfull thanks to you Miss Pyke,
This troupe can now buy Jack a trike,
With everyone happy, we have the ‘tin’,
‘Tis another success, you’ve helped us ‘Win’.
Signed W A Webb.
The other signatures are P C Double, F J Benham, William H Bignall, Frank R Wilson, W G Lowe, W Booth, W Underwood, V A Allen, A F Jones, ‘Massa’ Johnston, G G Relf, S G Double, F H Double, Jack Povey and C S Double junior.
It would be good for us to identify these people and we will have the photos at St Michael’s Fete (9th July) and the Carnival (17th September) at which we will be exhibiting.
Margaret Bampton.