Alastair Ainsworth (1947‒2020)

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Alastair Ainsworth, Treasurer of London Archaeologist. He died suddenly in May at the age of 72. During his professional career he worked as an accountant and company secretary and was an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He took early retirement to pursue his real passion for archaeology and having studied archaeology at Exeter, he chose to assist various archaeological societies. He was elected to the London Archaeologist Treasurer post at the AGM in May 2007.

As a member of the Publications Committee, he contributed various book reviews stating modestly in one that he was a 'general reader with an interest in archaeology' but he was more than - he was especially interested in the Iron Age and spent much of his time investigating Iron Age hillforts.

He was not only conscientious, resourceful, helpful and thoroughly professional but was also happy to pitch in with LA activities. Unassuming and self-effacing, he often said that he preferred to say as little as possible at AGMs or Committee meetings as he thought people weren't that interested in accounts, but without his knowledge and skill, LA would not be as financially healthy as it is today.  We have a lot to thank him for and his expertise and cheerful manner will be much missed.