Aldermaston Businesses- Cricket Bats

The businesses’ current proprietor is John Surridge. His grandfather, Percy Stuart Surridge, purchased the farm when the whole Aldermaston estate was sold in 1939, calculating that the willow trees alone were worth more than the asking price.  Somewhat later, a family member who worked for bat-makers Lilywhite Frowd felt that he could make a better bat and started the business of Stuart Surridge, firstly in Westmorland Street in London but subsequently moved to Essex.

The cutting business started in the 1960’s and when Surridge’s business was sold in around 2000 the saws were brought down to Aldermaston.  The clefts are now sold around the world, especially to India, for finishing.

For Surridge’s website, see

https://www.surridgewillow.co.uk/