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

SP 1401-1501 FAIRFORD HIGH STREET (west side)

13/144 Valentine Strong Monument, about llm south west of south porch in churchyard of Church of St. Mary

GV II*

Bale tomb. Valentine Strong, died 1662, freemason. Spiral bale top with shell west end and skull with wings on east end, heavy gadrooned capping, moulded plinth on base. Ends have high relief cartouche and oval panel, with date and initials to east. South side has deeply recessed plain central panel and flanking recessed panels with large compressed acanthus scrolls. North side has central flush panel with slate inscription stone inserted, and flanking deeply recessed panels with feather or leaf design in form of crown, over ball flower carving. In very good condition. Valentine Strong was the designer in 1661 of Fairford Park, built for Andrew Barker and demolished 1955, and father of masons Thomas Strong and Edward Strong, both of whom worked on the rebuilt St. Paul's Cathedral in London. (VCH: Gloucestershire, Vol VII, 1981)

Listing NGR: SP1514101140