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Why this book was
written
As we were working on the restoration of nos. 35-39 London Street
we came across many different discoveries that reminded us f the
kind of life and work that had taken place in this building; and
as we pulled down walls, and erected others, the structure, and
particularly the discovery of old sone walls with ornate carvings,
made us hungry to know about the past history of the place. We knew
about William Penn having worshipped here: a local and international
link. Gradually we found out about Lovejoy's activities; and when
the museum became intersted in the stones, and the connection with
Reading Abbey was made, we began to feel that the story must be
told: not just the story of the buildings themselves, but how it
was that a small educational charity with virtually no money or
assets came to buy them.
Find out more about RISC
George Lovejoy, former
occupant of this building, refused all payment for the loan of any
of Ruskin's books from his circulating
library, claiming that their value was so great that no money payment
would be adequate.
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