MAIWAND LION Forbury Gardens Reading Berkshire

This vid was taken by my last week during Easter Break. Below is additional info off the net about this amazing monument

The Maiwand Lion is named after small village in Afganistan, where 328 men from the 66th regiment died on 27th July 1880.
This 31 Foot tall Sculpture was designed by George Blackall Simonds (1843-1929) and unveiled in 1886, however the Simonds failed to notice the way lions walk, and sculptured this iron lion with legs in such manner that a real lion would fall over if he ever tried to walk this way.

Urban legend has it that when the sculptor realized this very basic error, he committed suicide. In fact, he lived for another 43 years, enjoying his work.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• MAIWAND
• LION
• FORBURY
• GARDENS
• READING
• BERKSHIRE
• CELTIC
• CROSS
• GLORIOUS
• DEATH
• MONUMENT
• AFGHANISTAN
• WAR
• 1880

[clintdelicious]

@KnockoffNigeI apparently its that of a domestic cat instead

[clintdelicious]

Really nice lil vid, sound and filming work real nice

[ReadingBerkshireUK]

Love the way you filmed the monument and the music just adds to it creating an extremely atmospheric film. Well done.

[afg96]

@smoochym Oh yeah is that why, Netherlands are pulling out their troops from Afghanistan so as Canada. And is that why America said we lost the war in Afghanistan? England is nothing compare to the worlds strongest country Afghanistan.

[KnockoffNigeI]

@MrWoodage I can't comment on the accuracy of the statue's gait, I'm not an expert unlike the many folk who've repeated this myth to me. What I do do know is that statues made of cast iron tend to have all feet on ground, it's a gravity thing.

[afg96]

Afghanistan won that war but the sad irony is that British Forces are now in the same place as they been defatted in 1880 

[anwarkhanzadran]

british never forget maiwand war .

and malalai maiwand was the first lady who done a big role in maiwand battle

bless all afghans soldier who die in the battle of maiwand

[gingerblitz1966]

@MrWoodage - You are incorrect I'm afraid - The Sculptor George Blackall Symonds did not kill himself & lived to a ripe old age! (Just another urban myth).The sculpture was also proven to be anatomically correct.

[MrWoodage]

yes its true , after he unvailing of the lion it was pointed out that lions only have 2 feet on the ground at a time whilst walking , and in a fit of madness yes he did kill him self , i guess that thought gives this amaizing piece of art an eary air about it ,, but its incredible , i used to chill on a saturday in forbury gardens in the 80"s & still visit the lion if im up from cornwall ,, from brad ex reading party beast ..

[Bobl1nMaskSp00ner]

if you look at the lions legs, it was made wrong, lions dont stride like that, they would fall sideways if they did. i heard the guy who designed it killed himself after he realised his epic arcitectural fail.