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CRIMEAN CANNONS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Forbury Gardens Reading Berkshire Great Britain RG1 3BB The following is a precis from the minutes of a COUNCIL MEETING held on 23 JANUARY 2018. This is based on an enquiry from a member of the public. There is an engraving of Forbury Hill dating from circa 1865 which shows a Russian cannon captured during the Crimean War. It is also shown in a later undated photo and on a postcard. (see pictures above and below) You will be aware that the cannon is no longer there but there is a mystery as to what happened to it. There are rumours that it was loaned to Southsea Castle sometime in the 1960's. Can the Lead Councillor confirm if this is the case? If it was loaned then I would suggest that it is returned. Forbury Gardens have become a memorial to the memory of the combatants from Reading and Berkshire who fought and in some cases gave their lives. The cannon would be a fitting memorial to those from this area who fought and perished in the Crimean War and would be an interesting addition to the Forbury Gardens. If the cannon is still in existence could it be returned and replaced in its proper home in the Forbury Gardens? REPLY by Councillor Hacker Lead Councillor for Culture, Sport & Consumer Services: Thank you for your Question Mr Stainthorp, I have discussed this question with our Museum and unfortunately I cannot corroborate or confirm the rumour that the cannon was loaned to Southsea Castle. Indeed Reading Museum's collection website rather presumes that it is no longer in existence citing the following in relation to an entry for 'Sebastopol Gun, Forbury Gardens, Reading - postcard 1908': 
Forbury Gardens is a public park in the town of Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The park is on the site of the outer court of Reading Abbey, which was in front of the Abbey Church. The park is home to the famous Maiwand Lion statue, which commemorates the deaths of 329 men from the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot who lost their lives in Afghanistan between 1878 and 1880. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  CONSTRAINTS Open set times only FACILITIES Access all Year LANDSCAPE City Centre, Park or Garden REGION England - Southern THE FEATURES PRESENT Crimean Cannon Location, past or present |
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