Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 997

Peace Celebrations in Reading -€” continued.

THE WATER CARNIVAL.

If there is a "Rain Controller" he probably­ considered that aquatic sports were not complete unless spectators as well as competitors enjoyed the aquatic element. H a d it not been for discomforting showers which fell intermittently throughout the afternoon the Water Carnival would have been a huge success. Even as it was, the many thousands of pleasure-seekers who gathered on the Thames Side Promenade refused to be daunted by the weather conditions and forgot everything except that it was the day set apart for them to celebrate peace and victory. The sports themselves were a secondary consideration for the larger portion of the crowd, who sought more hilarious amusement in the field adjoining
the Promenade. It mattered not one whit if the grasping profiteers who ran cocoanut [sic] shies had fixed the nuts so that only a cannon ball would have knocked them down; these merry-makers banged away just to let off steam. There were confetti fights, and weirdly-dressed personages were to be seen to be marching about. The pattern of their apparel mattered not so long as the colour scheme was of red, white and blue.

To return to the water sports. A nicely varied programme had been arranged and was admirably carried through by a competent body of officials. The competition was very keen, and it is rarely that one afternoon's boat-racing is crowded with so many exciting finishes. The scratch fours probably provided most excitement, chiefly by the reason of the fact that their respective strength was so uncertain. The humorous element was introduced in the shape of mop fighting in canoes, V.C. races, and the dongola races, in which broomsticks too k the place of paddles.

A most interesting event was the procession of decorated boats, in which there were nine entries.

Thanks were due to Sir Wm. Shipley, who kindly lent his motor launch "Pallas"€ for the use of the umpires. Mr. Hughes, of the Thames Conservancy, was in charge of the water-policing arrangements, while Mr. Laurie, his chief inspector, was also to be seen hard at work.

Bands and concerts were under the able direction of Messrs. E. E. Langston, J. H. Smith, G. Smith and P. J. Woolliams.

The Reading Temperance Prize Band, although hampered by the rain, got through an excellent programme during the afternoon, and played also for dancing in the evening, Mr. George Smith being the M.C.

Two grand concerts were given in the Pierrot Pavilion on the Promenade. The afternoon one was by Mr. George Smith's concert party, and was patronised by a large and appreciative crowd. The evening concert was by Lal Edwards' Vaudeville Six, from London, who proved an immense success.

PLANTING THE OAK TREES.

During the day two young oaks were planted in the Forbury Gardens and in Prospect Park. The Mayoress performed both ceremonies. At the latter place the planting took place in the pouring rain, and there were less than a dozen spectators. The oaks are from seeds picked up on the battlefield of Verdun (according to the official programme) and have been grown in Kew Gardens.

The Mayoress expressed the hope that just as fine and noble deeds and qualities had arisen out of the furnace of war, so flourishing trees would come from these seedlings which had come from the terrible battlefield of Verdun.

BERKSHIRE REPRESENTED IN LONDON.

Berks was not unrepresented in the great march past of troops in London. A colour party under the charge of Captain W. C. Hanney took the 1st Berks colours from Chatham (where the 1st Berks were stationed) both to the celebrations in Paris and London.

R.Q.M.S. A. J. Bartlett was the chosen representative of the 2nd Berks.

Lieut. J. A. Brain took charge of the Territorial colours in the march.

[photo, boat] THE SECOND PRIZE FOR DECORATED BOATS WENT TO MR. MORLEY. [Photo by C. E. & A. May.]

[photo, boat] ONE OF THE DECORATED BOATS. [Photo by C. E. & A. May.]