Wiltshire Sky and Light

Stained glass exhibit by Tony Bolland from an original painting by John Piper

The Cherhill White Horse
..............

Today I went along to the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes specifically to see a small exhibition of stained glass called Wiltshire sky and Light by Tony Bolland. The museum at Devizes is a superb resource for anyone interested in the fascinating archaeology and history of Wiltshire. After spending time with the beautiful stained glass exhibits I then spent a while in the Neolithic and Bronze Age rooms.

George and the Dragon

A window in the 14th century chancel of St Leonards, the beautiful little Norman church at Stanton Fitzwarren in Wiltshire. The glass is Victorian by Kempe and this panel deoicts George and the Dragon. The dragon is particularly interesting as appears to be smiling.

St Mark - The Lion

Detail from a window commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St Mark's Church in Swindon.
A detail from a large and spectacular window by Martin Travers over the main alter in St Mark's Church (the Railway Village, Swindon).
Apparently the lion represents St Mark in Christian iconography. In this church built for the first railway workers in Swindon, the symbol of the lion is hidden all around the the church.

East Tilbury Church - window detail

photo and text by Glynn Wadeson
Just thought you might like to see this detail of a stained glass memorial window in St. Mary's church East Tilbury. I liked the way the sun ws lighting it from the inside.....The church sits all on its own but close to the 19th century 'CoalHouse fort' which was built by General Gordon (of Khartoum fame) and guarded the Thames estuary. The church has a a plaque put up by the military engineers who also rebuilt a tower (though not the vicarage and east end of the nave) which were destroyed by Dutch navy ships cannon fire in their 1608 foray against the Royal Navy!

The above photograph and text was sent to me by my old friend Glynn who now lives in Walthamstow, East London - many thanks, Glynn.