Reading Past & Present, Through the Eyes of the Forbury Lion

Saturday 7 March 2026, 11:00am - 12pm

Author Robert Clarke will be introducing his latest book Reading’s ‘Colossal Lion’. This local history talk traces the continuing story of the world’s largest (and angriest) cast-iron lion – the Forbury Gardens’ dominant feature for 140 years.

Conceived as an imperial monument to the Berkshire Regiment’s courage in an otherwise dreadful defeat in Afghanistan, the Lion was also a celebration of the Victorian town’s commercial prowess, prosperity and status.

The fierce beast inspired myths, legends and tall tales, whilst gradually becoming domesticated as a mascot or trademark for Reading. However, in the 1980’s he found a fresh purpose as the figurehead for the campaign against the IDR. Most recently, he took on a new and vital role after the tragic events of 2020: as the emblem of #Reading Together, symbolising the unity of the town’s diverse community.

About the speaker: Robert served as Director of Highways & Planning of the former Berkshire County Council. The Lion’s story featured in his post-graduate research at Oxford into the British Empire, renewing an acquaintance made years before during the completion of the controversial IDR. Back then he asked “What is this huge Lion doing in Reading… who put him there … and why?” His talk shows there is more than one answer.