Valentine Strong Momument, About 11 Metres South West Of South Porch In Churchyard Of Church Of St Mary

The Valentine Strong Monument is a bale tomb located about 11 metres southwest of the south porch in the churchyard of the Church of St. Mary. It commemorates Valentine Strong, who died in 1662 and was a freemason. The monument features a spiral bale top with a shell at the west end and a skull with wings at the east end, topped with heavy gadrooned capping and a moulded plinth at the base. The ends of the tomb display high relief cartouches and oval panels, with the date and initials on the east side. The south side has a deeply recessed plain central panel flanked by recessed panels adorned with large compressed acanthus scrolls. The north side features a central flush panel with a slate inscription stone inserted, alongside flanking deeply recessed panels decorated with a feather or leaf design in the form of a crown, above ball flower carvings. The monument is in very good condition. Valentine Strong was the designer of Fairford Park in 1661, which was built for Andrew Barker and demolished in 1955. He was also the father of masons Thomas Strong and Edward Strong, both of whom contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.