 This fair became known as the "Reading Cheese Fair", although cattle, horses and hops were also sold, and it served as the principal local hiring fair.By the first years of the 19th century, the western part of the Forbury was in use as a playground or sports ground for Reading School, which at this time was housed in the former Hospitium of St John.However the whole of the Forbury was in private ownership, and disputes were common as to the common rights of the town and the rights of the school.