Not only was the company of S. H. Alabaster Ltd well
known for building houses, but, as this cartoon
published in the Bexley Local Paper in 1936 illustrates,
they built the new Swimming Pool in Danson Park. It's
long gone now, superseded by a new Pool in Crook
Log. Now even that is closed, and a new large Leisure
Centre, recently opened by the Queen, reigns
supreme in Brampton Road, Bexleyheath.
Tricia Dyer kindly sent in this advertisement from the
Sydenham Gazette, June 1932, for a three-bedroom house
built by S. H. Alabaster Ltd. The price of the house was £450
freehold.
This looks like a letter from a satisfied customer. The postage was 1½d, or, as we used to say in those days,
three ha-pence, which is about ½p in decimal money. 
And here are a few of the exhibits which were on show to members at the 2005 Gathering:
Right: Violet Williamson, née Alabaster, 1901-1985, wearing the Mayoress`s
chain of office of Lytham St. Annes Borough Council, in 1953.
Violet and her husband Arthur were the Mayor and Mayoress in 1953-54, during
the Coronation.
Left: A picture of Ray Williamson, born 1945 (IIIB), aged 4
His mother Violet is pictured immediately above right.
Right: Dorothy Hendrie, née Williamson (1923-2002), Violet`s daughter, with her
son, John Hendrie (IIIB), who is a member of the Society.
The pair were photographed by Dorothy`s husband, Don Hendrie, about 1950.
Left: A fashionable 1920s
wedding. It was originally
thought that this was a
Branch IIIB event, but it is
more likely to be the
wedding of Arthur
Williamson`s (Violet`s
husband) brother Bill to
Ethel Sambrook. However,
it still shows the elegance
and style for which all
Alabasters, past and
present, are rightly
renowned.
Violet is second on the
right, standing, and Arthur
is standing centrally at the
back, just behind the man
with the moustache
(Arthur`s father).
Right: Cheers! Robert George Alabaster (IIA) bought Batey & Co., the ginger beer
and mineral water manufacturers, in Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, on 5th October
1882. His sons, John and Robert James, were directors of the company.
Eventually it was bought by R. White`s in the first half of the 20th century.
Left: Percy Criddle and some of his
extended family.
Our member Oriole Veldhuis is researching
the colourful Criddle family. If anyone can
provide any information, please contact Ray
Williamson in the first instance, via the
email address on the Contact Us page.
Right: Sabina Elise Harrer (1840-1903) with
Percy Criddle
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