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' HEADING D IU EC TO Br— 1919.

The Forbuiy Pleasure Grounds, fronting the ancient gateway of the
abbey, is the property of the Corporation ; a Russian gun, presented by
the Government to the authorities of the town, occupies an elevated
position in the grounds: here also is a colossal lion, of cast iron, on a
pedestal, erected in 1886 as a memorial to 11 officers and 317 non-com­
missioned officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, 66th Berkshire R egi­
ment, who fell in the battle of M ai wand, 27th July, 1880, and during
the A fgh an w ar 1879-80: the pedestal, placed in 1884 on a foundation
of concrete, is 23ft. 2£in. in length, 8ft. 7in. in breadth and 12ft. 6ic.
high ; the pedestal was originally encased in terra cotta, but this having
been seriously affected by the weather, w as replaced in 1910 b y a P o rt­
land stone casing to which are attached bronze tablets bearing the
names and inscriptions previously recorded on the terra cotta surface;
the cost (about £600) was defrayed by public subscription: the lion,
which was not erected until 1886, is said to be the largest erect statue
of the kind in the world, it being three times the size of life and weigh­
ing 16 to n s: from the forepaw to the top of the mane it measures 1 3 ft.:
the forearm is 5ft. ; and from the nose to the end of the tail it is over
31ft. in le n g th : the view from this spot commands a beautiful prospect
over part of Oxfordshire: the Horticultural Society’s shows are held in
these grounds.
The Thames Side Promenade, extending from Caversham Bridge for
nearly a mile along the river, is furnished with seats, and is greatly
resorted to by inhabitants and visitors.
A bronze statue of H is late Majesty K in g E dward V II. was presented
to the town by M artin J. Sutton esq. and occupies a prominent position
in the open space facing the Great W estern R ailw ay statio n ; it was un­
veiled on the 3rd December, 1902, by H .R .H . Prince Christian oi
Schleswig-Holstein K .G .. K .C .B . j the figure, which was modelled h j.
Mr. George E. W ade, represents the K ing in field-marshal’s u n i P , ^
holding the sceptre and orb, and the pedestal is of red and blue f,ranite
and bears the following inscription:—
“ Coronation of H .M . K in g E dw ard V I I . 1902.— Record 0f the com­
memorative celebrations and public rejoicings held j ' , the Countv
Borough of Reading. Dinner to 2,000 aged persorlS. Tea to 14 500
school children. Special services at churches ar.d chapels. Procession
of the Tow n Council and of Oddfellows, Foresters and other benefit and
friendly societies, trades, florally decorated, emblematical and historical
cars and decorated carriages, including .'automobiles and cycles aquatic
sports, amateur and non-amateur and old English sports, w a t e r ’carnival
with procession of illuminated and decorated boats and steam launches’
Royal salute.
Plan tin g commemoration tree in the Forbury pleasure
grounds b y the Mayoress. Hluminated promenade concerts, torchlight
procession, attended by the M ayo r and by the Chairmen and Secretaries
of the Coronation Committees, distribution of medals and Coronation
pictures b y the M ayor and Mayoress.— A lfred Holland B u ll J .P mavor >
Henry D ay, town clerk.”
’
_ The Royal Berkshire Hospital, in London road, opened M ay 27th,
l.;o9. is an extensive building of stone in the Domestic Classic style,
with a noble projecting portico of six Tonic columns, supporting a pedi­
ment. ad rned with the Royal Arm s ; two wings, added in 1882, comp-.i;-;' -g i-cnm, Mbrary, museum, chapel, writh sts*~ed windows,