Font: Church of St Martin Ashton-on-Mersey

The font, executed in Painswick stone is an irregular octagon in form. The basin is richly panelled and carved and supported on four polished granite shafts having carved caps and ornamental bases, the centre being occupied by a figure of St John the Baptist. The plinth of the font has the following inscription in raised letters within a sunk panel: This font is the gift of Thomas Lightbourne, 20 years churchwarden of Ashton-on-Mersey 1854-1874." During the ceremony, the font was used in the christening of Thomas Lightbourne’s grand-daughter, the infant child of Captain and Mrs Kirby.

Reference           Manchester Guardian 26 March 1874 page 8