May morning light

I am including this window from the church at Longbridge Deverill because I loved the way the sunlight fell through it. Outside it was a perfect May Day morning; the narrow footpath down to the church had wildflowers and grasses bordering each side; the river Wylie could be glimpsed through the new-leafed trees; and the birds were singing. Somehow the light through this window tells of the warm, peaceful day outside.

The Glastonbury Story - Longbridge Deverill

A detail from the Glastonbury window in the peaceful church at Longbridge Deverill in Somerset - showing Joseph of Arimathea setting sail for England and planting the famous thorn staff on 'Weary-all-Hill' where the first church was built in Glastonbury.

A comparatively modern Rennaissance style window in the north aisle in the church at Longbridge Deverill representing the story of Glastonbury. In the centre light is Joesph of Arimathea who was (according to tradition) said to have brought Christianity to the west of England.

A detail from a beautiful gold and red window in the church at Longbridge Deverill

Museum of Stained Glass at Ely Cathedral

A fascinating web-site on stained glass here: http://www.stainedglassmuseum.com/index.shtml

Somewhere I have yet to visit but it is high on my list of 'places to visit soon'. Thank you to Glynn (and his partner Kathryn) for telling me about it.

All Saint's Church in Marden, near Devizes

Unfortunately, I cannot claim to have seen these beautiful windows but first saw these photos on the Avebury discussion forum where they were posted by Wiltshire based musician and writer Steve Marshall - he has kindly given permission for me to use them here. Many thanks Steve (see Avebury forum link) http://aveburywhs.4forum.biz/the-camp-fire-off-topic-chat-f2/marden-church-t609.htm

The above is a detail from the larger window below (with a description by Steve Marshall)

This is how Steve described the windows:
But my favourite is a memorial to the Niven family, who lived at Marden Grange. I assume they're related to David Niven, who lived not far away in Wilcot, near Pewsey. The window was designed by Molly Kettlewell in 1979. It depicts the views from Marden, to the north & to the south:

The window created by Jasper and Molly Kettlewell in 1958 - depicting St Peter and St Paul

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Footnote: As well as being a musician and writer, Steve Marshall is also a leading exponent of Surround Sound and has a website at http://www.stevemarshall.org.uk/

Purple and blue

A detail from a window in the Wroughton parish church, St John the Baptist and St Helen. I include it because I love the colour of the purple and blue sky.

Art Deco in a leafy suburb

The staircase windows

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These are the windows that initially inspired this blog - my son and his little family moved in a family house at the end of last year. This window was only partially visible when I first saw it as the window ledge had books piled on it. A bookcase has arrived now (see photo below) and these art deco windows can be seen as they were originally intended.

The dining room

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The dining room in the little family's home is my favourite room - it looks out onto a modern conservatory and garden through some rather lovely art deco windows. The doors had been removed but were found at the side of the house so there are plans to replace them.

Note: Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 - 1939

Historical Graffiti and Window

Historical graffiti and small window in the porch of the 15th century church of St Mary the Virgin at the little hamlet of Calstone Wellington near Calne in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Sky and Light

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

The Cherhill White Horse
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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.

Star windows at the old municipal baths

I first spotted this lovely little window from the street. When I finally gained access to the Health Hydro I tracked it down to a room which is now a lavatory - this secular little window in a public building has pride of place on this blog.

One of the lovely circular star windows at the old municipal baths, now the Health Hydro. Built in the 19th century primarily for the residents of the Railway Village in Swindon.

Christchurch, Swindon

Detail from the Nativity Window in Christchurch - the shepherds

The above window was made and donated to Christchurch in 1987 by stained glass artist John Hayward to replace a window that had been vandalised.

The two windows depicted above and below were donated in 1922 in memory of Fitzroy Pleydell Goddard who was part of the Goddard Family the long standing Lords of the Manor in old Swindon. The window below is particularly interesting as the upper part of the window portrays a country landscape. The lower part includes two sets of Coats of Arms one which has a golden stag and the other a pair of ravens.

Abraham van Linge at Lydiard Tregoze

17th century Dutch stained glass artist Abraham van Linge has created two beautiful though very different windows at Lydiard House and in the small St Mary's Church at Lydiard Tregoze (the church was built in the grounds of the house and had its own private access from the the house). Abraham van Lingue had a signature that appeared in all his work, a small sailing boat with an unfurled sail, see just below the leaves of the tree in the detail on the left.

This magnificent stained glass window appears over the main alter in St Mary's Church at Lydiard Tregoze.

The sailing boat signature of Abraham van Linge

- a detail from the painted window in Lydiard House

Details from the beautiful painted window

Abraham van Linge's intricate and beautiful painted window at Lydiard House

Lydiard Millicent Church

Details from the larger window shown below




The stained glass window in All Saints Church, Lydiard Millicent illustrating the glory of Nature - flowers, trees, birds, sun, stars and moon.

Bishopstone Church window

This beautiful window in the small parish church at Bishopstone was spotted in the summer of this year while I was out walking part of the Ridgeway. The window shows the Wiltshire Downs and includes Silbury Hill. (Artist unknown - as yet)