The Family History Society
of the Alabaster Family
A gallery of pictures taken in and around
Hadleigh during the Alabaster Gathering in April 2005
St. Mary`s Church, Hadleigh, viewed from the south. The Guildhall faces the church across the churchyard.
Left: showing the ornamental roof, with a typical boss and corbel.
Right: Memorial window to W.A.B.Jones: the restoration was paid for by members of the Alabaster Society.
Left: Decorative roof corbel in St. Mary`s Church.
Right: Brass dedicated to Thomas Alabaster, with (beneath it) a close-up view of the inscription.
HERE LYETH BVRYED THOMAS ALABASTER WHO
BEING ABOVT 70 YEERES OLD WHEREOF HAVING
LYVED IN THIS TOWNE A CLOTHIER ABOVT 50
YEERES ALWAYES A GODLY VERTVOVS AND
DISCREETE LYFE ·HE DYED IN THE FAYTH OF
CHRIST IHESVS OVR SAVIOVR ON THE 12
DAY OF IANVARY 1592
Left: Brass memorial to Ann Still (née Alabaster) in St. Mary`s Church.
Right: This reproduction of a painting by Thomas Gainsborough is in the Deanery Tower. Even
though the original colour has been lost, it does indicate how the Church looked in our forefathers`
time. Note the balustrade around the spire, removed in the 19th century to prevent rainwater
entering, and the central porch with sundial, remnants of which were used in the wall of the south
aisle. In the 16th century civic leaders would walk in procession from the Guildhall into the Church
through this entrance. Also shown are the Deanery Tower with the previous Deanery (later
demolished and rebuilt closer to the Church) behind it.
The Deanery Tower, built in 1495, is noted for its remarkable ornamental brickwork, expertly described to members of the
Society by Roger Kennell (pictured below). The south (left-hand) tower contains the Dean`s former garde-robe, now sealed
up to prevent draughts, and, on the upper floor of the same tower, a tiny chapel.
Right: The view from the top of the Deanery Tower towards the Guildhall.
Left: View from the rear, west, side of the Deanery, showing the spire of St. Mary`s in the background. The private garden stretches down to
the river.
Right: The decorated vaulted roof of the tiny chapel in the Deanery Tower.
The name of Alabaster is still remembered in Hadleigh today.
Laraine Hake has a list of bed & breakfast accommodation in Hadleigh. Please send an email to Laraine to request this list. Her email address is on the Contact Us
page.
