FOR years it stood proud and tall over Reading, watching the trains that came in and went out of the station and casting a shadow over Newtown.
But earlier this year, the gastower was dismantled in preparation for the building of new flats.
East Reading residents creating a community garden in a cut through linking Amity Road and Cumberland Road spotted an opportunity to keep a link with the sleeping giant, while also enhancing facilities on the site.
One of the organisers, Leslee Barron, who lives in Newtown, said: “Southern Gas Network kindly agreed to donate one of the girders from the gas tower to create a legacy piece for the community.
“I imagined a bench in the Newtown Community Garden would be a fitting tribute: not realising the girder was six metres long and in two pieces.
“Naturally, the sensible conclusion was, let’s have two benches then.”
The £2,000 funding they received from RG Spaces only covered the cost of creating one bench.
“It was a much bigger job than first anticipated,” Ms Barron said.
“This means the second piece of historic steel is sitting patiently on the benches waiting to be given its shot at iconic status.”
That might have been the end of the story, had it not been for another Newtown resident.
Ms Baron said that while she was in the garden, she bumped into Simon French.
“We got chatting, he asked when the second bench was being installed. I explained that we had the steel and the fabricator but not the money,” she explained.
“He jumped at the opportunity of making this happen and announced that he’d happily run a crowdfunding campaign to pay for it.
“I am, of course, delighted he’s taking on this challenge and fingers-crossed we’ll reach our target and see the second bench installed soon which will benefit the community for decades to come.”
Mr French set up a page on gofundme.com to raise £2,500 to ensure the second bench can be constructed, not just from the girder, but from wood off a cedar tree that fell down. Bricks has been donated by residents.
“We were very fond of the gas holder, it served as a friendly landmark as you walked home down Cumberland Road,” he said.
“Whether you can afford just a few pounds or more, or even just your good wishes, we are very grateful.
“Once the structure has been put into place, any monies left over will go towards the upkeep of them and to maintain and improve the garden.”
To support the crowdfunder, search gofundme.com for ‘second bench for Newtown Community Garden’
