| Window Work
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| Photographs taken by Colin Gunn | ||
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| This is a detailed drawing of the expected finished window | ||
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| Old sections of the window coming out | ||
| New sections of the window being installed | ||
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| Almost complete, top sections to finish | ||
| Click 'here' to view the finished window. This may take a little while to download as it is a larger file. Read background information below. | ||
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| The Festival Committee, seated second from the left is Elizabeth Drew who was the chair person and driving force of the group. In the middle of the group the accomplished architect of the window Andrew Taylor. | ||
| BACKGROUND INFORMATION
by Andrew Taylor Festivals have been held in Highworth every four years since 1972. Each Festival has contributed to the life of the town in varied ways. The 1996 Festival for example, supported the floodlighting of this church together with the maps and display information around the town. This window was commissioned by the committee of the Highworth Festival 2000. The committee, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Drew, agreed in March 1999 that the Festival would aim for ‘a professionally produced stained glass window’ to mark the Millennium in Highworth. Almost forty events were organised by the committee, individuals and groups between March and October 2000. The main Festival weekend in September featured the traditional Flower Festival; the theme was “In Celebration of the Saints”. The United Reform Church, the Methodist Church and St Michael’s Church hosted this event. Several concerts were held in St Michael’s but one notable event that attracted national interest was the “Wedding Belles” Exhibition which filled the Church in June 2000. Following consideration of a wide range of artistic styles and expertise, Mr Andrew Taylor AMPG, an experienced ecclesiastical stained glass artist was commissioned to design and install the window. Throughout the work, we were encouraged and praised by the Archdeacon, the Diocesan Advisory (Bristol) Committee and its secretary Mrs Celia Gibbons. Presentations were made to a very supportive PCC (under the Rev. David Stevens) in their search for the most desirable outcome in this new venture. The window was dedicated by The Right Reverend Michael David Doe, BA, LLD, Bishop of Swindon at the Patronal Festival and Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 27 September 2002. The Reverend Geoffrey David Sowden, BA DIP Min, Vicar of St Michael and All Angels led the service. |
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| THOUGHTS BEHIND THE MAKING OF
THE DESIGN This window is an expression of thanks to God the Creator for the good things bestowed on the people of Highworth, the community spirit of the town, its religious groups, the richness and beauty of the surrounding land and their dependency on the environment. Across the width of the window a profile view of the town is depicted, showing its three main churches (Methodist in the left hand side, St Michael’s in the centre and the United Reform on the right hand side) one in each light amongst the buildings and a general impression of the typical architectural style of the town. This echoes the reality of the situation as one gets a memorable view of the town against the skyline, from a distance on the Northern side. In the centre light beneath the town is a plaque with the text: “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Mat 5:14). Moving to the very base, fossilised ammonites are seen. These ancient remains are to be found locally in the ground as the area was once part of the sea millions of years ago, linking the present with a reminder of the earliest forms of life. Around the ammonites are painted textures and colours of the earth, rock like strata which forms a solid foundation for the town. In the right hand light this strata is more pronounced – rising higher it gradually changes to textures of stone walls, brick construction, brief glimpses of steps and arches hinting at the architectural foundations and cellars built beneath the houses which then merge into the buildings above occupied by the townsfolk. In the other lancets we have something similar but more of the green plant life which is vital to the health of mankind and the planet and the air we breathe. We may also catch glimpses of flowers and arable crops etc., typical of the area around the town. In the centre lancet an area of water is revealed as that crucial element which is present in all of life. Looking higher again, above the town, through the area of sky we encounter some rainy weather and rays of light. Then looking up into the tracery we see stars and other heavenly bodies against the darker blues. One or two planets are shown, Hale Bopp Comet which places it in the context of the end of the last millennium, the moon to the side and the sun in the centre. All of this is encompassed under a splay of feathers, the wing like embrace of God. This idea came from the text: How Precious, O Lord, is your unfailing love: we find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7. Another helpful line was: “Oh Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth. Psalm 8:9. Finally, the inscription at the base of the window, on the left side is simply Highworth. In the centre the lines from a hymn “God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year.” At the base of the right hand light is a copy of The first page of the parish register and then below that simply “AD 2000”. Andrew Taylor June 2001. |
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