Hugh Cook Faringdon, Last Abbot of Reading
Plaster model by Alex Wenham - 2021
The front of the plaster model, taken at the unveiling of the headstop at the Abbey Gateway on 19 June 2021
This is the 1:1 working plaster model on a wooden support of the Hugh Faringdon, last Abbot of Reading Abbey headstop. This design was carved in situ on a blank 19th century Bath stone headstop on the east side of the Abbey Gateway from May to June 2021. The headstop was unveiled by the Mayor of Reading, Cllr David Stevens, on 19 June 2021 to celebrate the 900th anniversary of Reading Abbey's foundation in 1121.
Reading Council held an online public vote to choose the design from a shortlist of six figures from the Abbey’s illustrious post-dissolution past. The six were Hugh Faringdon, Queen Elizabeth I, Jane Austen, Sir George Gilbert Scott, Dr Jamieson Hurry, and a modern stonemason. Hugh Faringdon won with just over 40% of the vote. The Council's Reading Abbey Revealed project commissioned Cliveden Conservation to create the final headstop, and it was designed and carved by stonemason Alex Wenham.
The final design was developed with advice from local academics, historians and clergy, and was based on contemporary images of Hugh Faringdon and other 16th century abbots. As a result, the initial design was adapted to show Hugh as clean shaven and with a more ornate mitre and crozier. The pupils of his eyes were carved in as dark shadows, distinguishing them from the other 19th century headstops on the Gateway which have blank, classical-statue-type eyes. The design was approved by Historic England and received Scheduled Monument Consent from the Secretary of State for Culture.
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