The Rolle Pass summit
During the project I have been fortunate to rely on the support of John Kennedy the owner of the Radley car who supplied period photographs and suggestions on the format of the panel. It was John’s idea that I featured in the background the distinctive Rolle Pass summit with the peak behind called ‘The Cimon della Pala’ – the Matterhorn of the Dolomites – soaring over 1200 metres above the road height. Here is John pictured in Radley’s Ghost on the Rolle Pass. Back to Radley’s Ghost...
Read MoreRadley the pioneer aviator
Radley’s background was as a pioneer aviator and on the 19 April 1910 he made the first ever flight from Portholme meadow near Godmanchester flying circuits of the meadow in a Bleriot monoplane. On 25 October 1910, James Radley won the cross-country aviation race at Belmont Park, New York, as part of a successful “barnstorming” tour across America. The following January 7th he performing at South San Francisco, skimming the ‘West Virginia’, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Barry, and checking the time on San Francisco’s Ferry Tower clock on both sides. Back to Radley’s...
Read MoreLeaded glass windows rebuild – St Denys, Bury St Edmunds
Leaded glass windows rebuild – St Denys, Bury St Edmunds. Recently I have been working at St Denys repairing some broken panes and rebuilding two window units which were collapsing. This image shows the new units back in place – I carefully removed them and salvaged all the original glass before rebuilding the windows with each pane identically placed – these should be good for another hundred years. As you can see using matching lead it is impossible to discern new from old – the rebuilt ones are in the lower line either side of the central window. On the first...
Read MoreSt Nicholas Church, Little Chishill – Stained glass restoration
St Nicholas Church, Little Chishill - a kick around with a football during a church barbeque had rather unfortunate results for this early window. Bringing everything back into shape required not just replacing the glass but also straightening and shortening the distorted lead cames. This task requires a good deal of patience as all the elements of the window are very delicate. Using matching handmade glass ensured that the result matches perfectly. ‘You have done an exceptional job, no one would ever know we had an accident’ – Peter Lyster - Little Chishill Manor You can read...
Read MoreSt Swithun’s Church, Great Chishill stained glass restoration
Water dripping onto the front pew at St Swithun’s Church in Great Chishill made it was clear there was a problem with the high level windows . Clambering up onto the roof allowed an inspection which soon revealed a series of cracked and holed panes directly above the wet pew probably as a result of a bird strike. Once back on the ground I was able to point out to the Churchwardens the missing glass which of course lined up with the damp area. Another company had inspected the same windows and declared all eight on the northern aspect were in need of full replacement at a cost of...
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