An ex-N Z Army1942 Valentine Mk V tank, offered to but turned down by Hastings City Council, was, recorded by Cooke & Maxwell (2013), successfully tendered for by the Stratford Jaycees in 1961. The £50 tender was covered by Stratford businessman, A B Cotter.
The tank was installed as a children's plaything on the southern edge of King Edward Park alongside Page Street near the Portia St intersection.
In 1994 the Stratford District Council had to reassess the future of the tank due to increased scrutiny of playground safety and ongoing maintenance costs. At the time the council was looking at alternative spots to move the tank to and had also had an offer from a Manawatu man to take the tank. It is reported in Great Guns that it went to Andrew Rowe.
Reference & Further Reading
Cooke, Peter & Ian Maxwell, Great Guns, The Artillery Heritage of NZ, 2013
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