Newark: National Civil War Centre test fires new cannon

A museum’s new cannon was test fired at the weekend.

Friends of Newark’s National Civil War Centre successfully raised £5,000 to buy the cannon, which arrived on Saturday and was tested in Friary Gardens.

Re-enactors brought the cannon to the park from the museum and music from the civil war era was played ahead of each firing.

Friary Gardens is close to the only remaining part of the town’s earthwork defences from the civil war.

In total, five blank shots were fired from the cannon, accompanied by five musket volleys.

The first shot was fired by Kevin Winter, vice-chairman of Newark Civic Trust and National Civil War Centre assistant curator.

Kevin said: “It’s great that we had a chance to be able to do some firings.

“It was this sort of thing that was doing damage to the church spire and castle walls that are still there today.

“A huge thank you to the regiment and our friends’ community and everyone who has contributed to that £5,000.”

Graham Fuller, chairman of The Friends of the National Civil War Centre, added: “It’s been a long time coming but we have finally got there.”

The cannon was taken to the National Civil War Centre after the firings, and is now on display for visitors to see at the Appletongate centre.

Nottinghamshire county councillor Keith Girling also got to fire the cannon and said the experience was amazing and he’d felt just like being a big kid.