Scott on the Madonna and Child

Why didn't I refer to Harold Scott? Scott's book on Stanford Rivers was published in 1974 - just after the time of the loss of the Madonna and Child from St Margaret's, Stanford Rivers (see Journal issue no. 29). Scott's contemporary report states:

"In April 1969, a large oil painting of the Madonna and Child was stolen from the church - it was then unofficially valued at £200. The thief entered by a Vestry window and presumably left by the main door. The fine reproduction painting was hanging in the church from 1886 until 1902, when it was sold to Sir Drummond Spencer-Smith. Sir Charles D. Spencer-Smith presented it back in 1949 in memory of a former Rector - the Rev. R. Rollason."

Scott's history of Stanford Rivers does omit reference to the sources of much of the information included in the book. However, for contemporary material, such as this note, Scott is very useful.