Penny Readings in Yateley

John Mills' diary Tuesday, 5th March 1878:

Did not get home till 6, and at 6.40, we went to Penny Reading, I first going to the Vicarage. Mr Sumner too unwell to come, so Mr Mason presided. Hardly any gentry there, through sickness and a ball at the Staff College. Mr Fitzroy read 2 things, Mr Gadd one and I gave Indian Jugglers. The two Misses Biddle played 2 duets, Mary Coulcher played a solo and all accompaniments. Charlie Sumner sang three songs and there were 3 or 4 glees. On the whole it went off very well.

Yateley Parish Magazine April 1878:

A Penny Reading was held in the School-room on the 5th of March. There was a fair attendance, though not so large as usual, many persons being kept away by sickness. Readings were given by Mr. FitzRoy and Mr. Gadd; Mr. Mills gave a very interesting account of Indian Jugglers, from personal experience; the Choir sang four glees; and Mr. C. Sumner, who came to take the Vicar's place (he being unavoidably absent through illness), sang two songs, one of which elicited an encore. The playing of the Misses Biddle and of Miss Coulcher, a young lady staying with Mr. Mills, and who also most kindly played all the accompaniments, gave universal pleasure.

Back to 2003 Exhibition Main Page

Page written by Peter Tipton for the Yateley Society's 2003 Exhibition: Adult Education in Yateley mounted in Yateley Library during Local History Month, for which the theme was Adult Education. This exhibition was held in conjunction with Yateley Workers Education Association (WEA) -- now in 2008 defunct. Pages may have been updated as a result of recent research.

(C) The Yateley Society, 2003 and 2008