David Luker posing with two freshly split willow clefts, as part of the production of cricket bats for Stuart Surridge
Catalogue record: AH.0122
Split willow clefts for cricket bats in the foreground. The sawn shaped clefts in the background are stacked to dry and season. Stuart Surridge woodyard, Fishermans Lane, Aldermaston.
Catalogue record: AH.0124
David Luker felling a willow off Fishermans Lane Aldermaston, for use in cricket bats
Catalogue record: AH.0119
Press cutting from Newbury Weekly News 25/1/1990, reporting that Newbury District Council has received a report on the July 1989 flood, but has no plans to spend public money on alleviation works.
Catalogue record: AH.0074
View from the main body of the church. Some colouring can still be seen- originally the tomb would have been richly decorated. The inscription running along the top rim (surprisingly for this period in English except for Latin dates) as recorded by Charles Keyser in 1893 reads: Here lieth Sir george forster knyght son and heyre ...
Catalogue record: AH.0150
Photo taken before April 1896, westwards. Note the plastered ceiling, now boarded.
Catalogue record: AH.0132
Detail 13 from the Index: a dog tugs at Lady Elizabeth's robe.
Catalogue record: AH.0143
Image 04 on the Index. Taken during a rehearsal of Aldermaston's York Nativity Play with a "knight" passing the tomb.
Catalogue record: AH.0149
Detail 10 shown on the Index, the facers of Sir George and Lady Elizabeth. Shockingly, graffiti have been carved on her face.
Catalogue record: AH.0142
Image 07 as shown on the Tomb Index- Sir George Forster
Catalogue record: AH.0141
The eastern end of the tomb, showing the final part of the inscription which, surprisingly for the period, is in English except for the Roman dates. Sadly the plaque has been removed- and damage to the tomb caused when the archway above collapsed is also evident.
Catalogue record: AH.0144
Detail 04 from the Index. A knight rehearsing for the Nativity Play is in the background.
Catalogue record: AH.0140
When Sir George was laid to rest in his magnificent tomb in 1533, his helmet was mounted on rafters above the tomb where it remains to this day (2019)
Catalogue record: AH.0135
Another view of Sir George's Helmet
Catalogue record: AH.0136
One of the very finest alabaster tombs in the entire country, comparable to (and probably crafted by) the same master stonemasons who fashioned a similar tomb in St George's Chapel, Windsor. Sir George died in 1533 and his wife Elizabeth in 1526. This view from directly above is not one many people will have ever seen!
Catalogue record: AH.0134
Detail 20 from the Tomb Index. An angel nestles between the couple's pillows. Some of the exquisite detailing is evident from this viewpoint.
Catalogue record: AH.0147
The western end of the tomb. The inscription running along the top has been executed clumsily compared with the long, northern side.
Catalogue record: AH.0148
A view of this splendid tomb from the north. Originally the alabaster work would have been painted in rich colours, as can be seen on other tombs.
Catalogue record: AH.0137
detail 03 from the Tomb Index
Catalogue record: AH.0139
Image 17 from the Index: note the inscription running along the top, which reads in English: Here lyeth Sir george forster knyght son and heyre of humfray forster esquier coson and one of the heares of Syr stephen popham knyght and elizabeth wif of the same sir george daugtur and heire of John dalamare esquier son ...
Catalogue record: AH.0146
Detail 16 from the Index: Sir George's feet rest upon a faithful hound. More damage from the falling archway is evident.
Catalogue record: AH.0145
Detail of the Eagle Gates, which are between the two lodges south of The Loosey, in the Street, Aldermaston. The bird is actually not an eagle but a falcon- the motif of the Congreve family. Gates and piers: early C18. 2 rusticated brick piers with stone plinths and copings with ball finials. 2 exuberant wrought iron ...
Catalogue record: AH.0050
The Forge House used to have a petrol pump (reputedly one of the first in the area) hidden behind the brick wall on the insistence of Charles Keyser and the opening, for passing through the pump nozzle, was re-incorporated when the wall was rebuilt in the 1990s.
Catalogue record: AH.0056
Hinds Head Inn, with a horse-drawn wedding carriage awaiting the couple.
Catalogue record: AH.0053