Nearly all of the stained glass windows in the church had been vandalised, apart from the 3 large ones in the west transept, which were damaged beyond repair when a tree had fallen through them. In total 41 windows need restoring and resetting, plus the 2 large rose windows which will be restored in situ.
The four small windows in the tower stairwell were the first to be restored, to see how the repairs would work and see if they would fit into the new aluminium frames for triple glazing; the stained glass panels being the third layer. The stairwell windows were in reasonably good condition, with only a few cracked pieces needing replacing. As each window was originally set straight into the stonework of the building window openings, zinc came was placed around the edge of each restored panel, and as much of the original leadwork kept. Stained glass pieces from the irrepairable windows were kept to replace any cracked or missing pieces from the ones being restored.
AAThe next windows worked on, were the two windows at the landing at the top the stone spiral stairs in the tower, and the vestibule windows. All of are now slightly larger, and have arched tops, as do the rest of the windows in the building (apart from the rose windows). One of the windows at the top of the spiral stairs was very badly damaged, and one third of it had to be rebuilt using spare pieces.
The windows on the east side of the nave were the next to be restored. These were larger again and more decorative. Each of these windows has a diamond panel, with a floral motif hand painted and then fired, to fix the paint into the glass.
On removing what were described as roof vent flaps, these quatrefoil shaped frames were revealed! No idea if they were ever glazed, or removed deliberately at some point.
Victorian stained glass design can be split into 3 distinct contrasting areas:
Borders, which can be in single or double width, usually in a strong ruby red, with the inner border being clear or textured. This is the case for all the windows in Arnsheen but the ruby red border is hidden behind the aluminium frame setting.
Background geometric shapes that are commonly rectangles, squares or diamonds, and in different textures. The bullseyes are unique to Victorian patterns.
Features Flat flowers or paintings are most common as a feature in the centre or top third of a window.
The final challenge will be restoring the rose windows in situ. Research will be required as to how best tackle them!
Absolutely amazing!! What a good retirement project. Or maybe I should say congrats on your new full time job. At least you will reap all of the profits. Beautiful work.