Group Of Nine Monuments In Churchyard South West Of Porch Of Church Of St Giles

A group of nine chest tombs are situated in the churchyard southwest of the porch of the Church of St Giles. Dating from the 18th century to the early 19th century, the monuments primarily commemorate members of the Beak family.

The first monument (a) is from the early 19th century and constructed from ashlar, featuring baluster angles and two oval north plaques with a sunburst between. It commemorates Charles Beak of Ford, who died in 1834. The second monument (b), located approximately 1 meter west of (a), dates to around 1800 and is also ashlar, exhibiting a pulvinated frieze broken back over fluted baluster angles, with two raised north plaques and two rococo-framed south plaques, recording the deaths of Frances Beak (1816), William Beak (1819), and Susanna Beak (died in approximately 1801). Monument (c), about 1 meter south of (b), is from the later 18th century. This ashlar example has large draped baluster angles, a moulded base and cornice with a pulvinated frieze, and a rectangular, bordered, fielded south plaque with vine drops on either side, commemorating Charles Beak, who died in 1783. A further monument (d), positioned about 1 meter west of (b), dates from the early 19th century and is constructed from pennant stone, displaying lyre ends and two north plaques, featuring a low-relief female figure and urn in a pointed recess. Monuments (e), which are a pair, are located south of (d) and dated to the early to mid 19th century. They are formed of pennant stone, exhibit plain details, sunk slab sides, and plain angle piers. One monument commemorates Charles Beak, who died in 1818, and the other commemorates Isaac Beak, who died in 1860.

An unidentified monument (f), about 6 meters south of (d), dates from the mid to later 18th century and is constructed from ashlar with two fielded north plaques and a large, fielded south rectangular plaque decorated with scrolls. Monument (g), positioned about 2 meters southwest of (d), is from the mid to later 18th century. It is a finely detailed ashlar chest tomb with a moulded base and cornice, pulvinated frieze, and a broken forward plaque in a Baroque style. It includes flanking strips, each with two fielded panels, slim baluster angles, and a large, raised fielded south plaque, commemorating Betty Beak, who died in 1771. Finally, monument (h), located approximately 2 meters south of (g), is a later 18th-century ashlar chest tomb with an oval north plaque, foliate framing, drapery drops flanking, baluster angles, a moulded base, and cornice with a pulvinated frieze, and a fielded rectangular south plaque, commemorating William Beak, who died in approximately 1777.