Grave Matters
It is difficult to imagine Ashtead in the early 18th Century but the restoration of a tomb in St Giles' Church churchyard dating from 1730 has given us an opportunity to learn more about a prominent family of the time.

The Grade II listed tomb, which had fallen into disrepair, sits over the family vault in which five members of the Beckford family, who owned land and property in Ashtead and London, are interred. Members of another branch of the family governed Jamaica. There is a fascinating chapter on the Beckfords in Geoffrey Gollin's book, Bygone Ashtead, now out of print but available on loan from Ashtead Library.

The tomb was restored by Chris Anstey, a specialist stonemason from Farnham, Surrey. As well as rebuilding the plinth and inner structure, Chris needed to piece together the jigsaw of Cornish slate that comprised the top slab. In addition, the iron railing surround had to be repaired and repainted. The work took ten weeks to complete and the tomb is now restored to its former glory.

The project was funded by Lord Barnby's Foundation, Mole Valley District Council, Surrey Historic Buildings Trust, Surrey Churches Preservation Trust, SITA Environmental Trust and private donations.

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