2-888-535 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

New Cattle-Market, Reading, 1850. 'The committee unanimously selected the plan designed by Mr. B. Clacy, architect, of Reading. The site chosen is a large meadow adjoining the Great Western and Berks and Hants Railways, on the northern side of Reading, with an entrance to the Market close to the station-road. The meadow being subject to floods, the whole area of the Market is to be raised with chalk above flood level...The whole fitting-up of the Markets is to be of wrought iron. The calf pens will be roofed over with corrugated zinc, supported on iron columns...The earthwork is being executud by Messrs. Orton and Son. The whole of the contract is taken by Messrs. Barnes and Turner, of Reading, at £1600. The first brick was laid by Mr. Haslam, chairman of the committee...The men engaged on the preparatory works...accompanied the ceremony with several hearty cheers'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.