The position in Spring 2009.  This historic window, now over 125 years old, is showing signs of its age.  The stained glass, the lead, and parts of the surrounding stonework are in need of conservation   

This window is one of only ten in the whole of the Truro Diocese designed and manufactured by the firm of William Morris. It was inserted in 1874 and incorporated designs used before in other buildings such as Jesus College, Cambridge.

The window has the four figures of the Evangelists designed by Edward Burne Jones, with William Morris designing the two censing angels at the top and Phillip Webb designing the 4 lower quatrefoils of the evangelistic symbols.

In November 2007 Michael Swift, stained glass adviser to the Diocese of Truro, described this window in some detail to FoStA members at our Patronal Festival.  [His article is reproduced in the Spring 2009 Newsletter - click here to download the PDF file.]

His report summarised the condition and stability of the window. There is a certain amount of bowing, particularly in the St Luke light where some adjacent pointing has fallen out.

There are numerous points of light where the glass is coming away from the lead and some significant paint loss especially in the St Luke emblem.

His recommendations involve the services of a major glass studio to initially evaluate the window and the likely cost of repair then a full Statement of Needs will be completed prior to applications for grant funding.

The FoStA committee are keeping a watching brief on the situation and will keep members informed as the process continues!  Inevitably some costs will be involved in the conservation work, but that’s what FoStA is all about.  Any help or support you can provide will be most welcome.

FoStA PROJECT  - EAST WINDOW RESTORATION

Update February 2011.  It has been decided with the Diocesan Advisory Committee’s approval to replace the 27 rusted iron tie bars that hold the windows together with similar section bronze bars. The photograph shows how they have deteriorated where they insert into the stonework.  Interior scaffolding will be needed for access.  The total cost is estimated at £6,200 plus VAT at 20% but that should be reclaimable.

The glass itself will therefore be stabilised and on-going monitoring by two voluntary local experts on our PCC is being done to observe any further deterioration.

The work is planned to be done in the summer of 2011 by the Wells, Somerset firm of Holy Well Glass and FoStA have agreed to underwrite the cost. The funds achieved in November 2010 from the Auction and Dinner are assigned for this purpose and it is hoped to receive grants from The Blanchminster Trust in Bude and the William Morris Fund.

Update July 2011.  The 27 rusted iron tie bars have now been replaced, with new wires attached to the lead lights to keep the windows stable.  Work done in line with the estimate of £6200.  A grant from FoStA of £2906 was made towards this cost.