Your Heritage programme
Grant awarded £50,000
The aim of this project was to restore and protect a series of 14 decorative Victorian stained glass windows in a Grade II listed church.
The windows were installed in 1874 by Morris & Co, the company founded by William Morris. Over the years they deteriorated, causing pigment loss. The grant has allowed the windows to be conserved, restoring them to their original condition, and protecting them from further damage.
Volunteers were recruited and trained to give guided tours, and the church will be open three times a week for visitors. Schools will use the windows to help pupils learn about art and art history, linking into the National Curriculum for these subjects. Once all the windows were complete, there was a Victorian themed celebration.
In addition to tours, open days and special events, the project created leaflets and display boards to help people learn about the windows. Information is also available through the church website.
The local community was kept up to date with the progress of the project through newsletters and events. It is hoped that they will be encouraged and inspired by the project to take an active interest in their local area and its history.
19/10/07