After nearly 40 years on display, the large field gun which has been on display outside the Stratford RSA building has gone away, but only for a while.
Stratford District Council has taken on responsibility for the Quick-firing Mark II 25-Pounder Field Gun and traversing platform, which is on loan from the Defence department, and has identified a new location for it, following the liquidation of the Stratford RSA.
Before it is moved to the new location, alongside the Colonel Malone statue on Broadway South, it is being treated to a bit of a makeover, says Neil Cooper, parks and property asset manager for Stratford District Council.
"It is getting sandblasted to remove any rust on it, and completely repainted. It's also getting fresh decals put on to replace the old ones. These decals are the registration number of the gun and the silver fern."
Last Wednesday, the gun was taken away to begin the sandblasting process.