Gerald Finzi was a well-known composer, a friend of Ralph Vaughan Williams. He was born in London in 1901. In 1933 he married Joyce (Joy) and settled in Aldbourne. In 1939, just before the outbreak of WWII, they moved to Ashmansworth, building Church Farm on the site of a medieval farmhouse. His work has become popular in recent years, especially his Clarinet Concerto and Five Bagatelles. He founded the Newbury String Players. He was also very keen on saving rare apple varieties.

He died in 1956