Dorset Teachers finally see stained glass window
13th March 2008
It's amazing what you can see by asking a few questions. The Dorset Retired Teachers Association visited Salisbury Stained Company, in the Wiltshire cathedral city last spring to observe what was involved with the delicate and skilful process of making stained glass windows.

During their visit to the Salisbury Stained Glass Company, they witnessed the multifaceted phases of manufacture of some stained windows but were astounded to see how much preparation was involved before the first piece of glass is cut. At the time of the visit the teachers saw a brand new window being prepared in its inaugural stages. The designer, Mr Trevor Wifin explained to the group that they were in the process of producing a new window earmarked for St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyneham to celebrate No 47 Squadron and its association with the local community.

Painstaking research, numerous sketches and drawings being done, numerous questions being asked, enabled the mastercraftsmen to rubber stamp a final design before production. The group were informed that the Squadron window would be manufactured during last summer and ready for installation during September 2007.

The glass and panelling was cut and the final product was delivered on time and the window fitters replaced the medieval gothic shaped window on the north aisle of St Michael's Church on the 14th August 2007. A dedication service was held on the 9th September 2007, with parishioners, current and past squadron members in attendance to bless and celebrate the splendour of the window. 

Part of Lyneham’s successful village website has an array of historical information illustrating the village history, maps, photographs, forefathers and buildings. One sub-section village website, illustrates a complete history of the village church.

The Retired Teachers Group from Dorset followed up their Salisbury visit by searching the Internet for the village church background and in particular any information on the new church window. The Chairman, Mrs Sue Hanham, contacted the village web designer Andy Humm and asked if any information was offered about the new window. By coincidence, Andy was researching the fine points behind the design and soon published the information, along with many supporting photographs. During the winter months it was arranged that the group would visit the church to see the newly installed window.

On Thursday 13th March 2008, a fortnight after the No 47 Squadron’s 92nd anniversary, a party of 19 Retired Teachers travelled from the south coast to be shown the celebration window, which was provided as a gift to the church as a sign of the long and bonding relationship the squadron has with the parish church.

The group arrived at St Michael's Church Hall to be welcomed with refreshments during the weekly Coffee Morning provided by the ladies of Lyneham and Bradenstoke Mothers Union and Women's Institute. Once suitably refreshed, the party were accompanied by Andy Humm and Babs Taylor, the church Verger, around the village church to illustrate and explain the design concepts behind the window artwork and history.

The Chairman of the Retired Teachers Association Sue Hanham, commented "Seeing the window on the web site was good, but did not prepare us for the real thing, which was so much better, even on a dull day. It was beautiful!"

"I couldn't make head or tail of it when I walked into the church, but Andy's meticulously researched talk showed me what to look for and I learnt so much in a short time.  I really felt I was beginning to get to grips with the history and symbolism."

Sue continued "A modern window is completely different from the traditional ones you find in most churches. This one started to come to life as Andy spoke, and I enjoyed the way members spoke up and added comments from their own reading and experience. ARM members never miss a chance to ask questions!"

"The traditional window above the altar was like a well known tune that everyone knows & you have in your head. In comparison the new window was a complex, multi layered piece of music - something which you could focus on and always find something new in a piece for meditation.  (I thought this quite profound!)"

"I liked the way the delicate colours blended, the fine details e.g. the fish, and the splashes of pink of the aircraft seemed particularly poignant, symbolising the suffering of the aircrews in their work to keep our country safe."

The group were then taken to the 'Home of the Hercules' at RAF Lyneham, to meet some of the 47 Squadron members, who explained the uniqueness of this special squadron, its tasking and recent commitments with conflicts all over the world. The squadron archives, which were open for view, proudly documents the active role the busy Squadron undertakes, acknowledging them, together with their forefathers, as one of the most decorated squadrons in the history of the armed forces.

After the visit the group had a piping hot lunch in the Peterborough Arms Dauntsey, were they reflected on the visit and soon realised how busy the squadrons history is and it links with what was illustrated on the artwork of the new church window.

The group echoed glowing comments about the visit especially "the very warm welcome they received - wherever we went, starting with the ladies of the WI and Mother's Union, who took such good care of us and showed great interest in our group. They really rolled out the red carpet for us; we were treated like royalty."

They continued by saying "Everything was so much better than expected. It was a day full of lovely surprises, such as the Easter table display, the home made cakes and of course, the generous goody bag; its contents will give me much pleasure."

Sue Hanham summed up the visit afterwards "I had a wonderful day - I felt the villagers & airfield personnel were genuinely pleased to see us. It was worth every mile of that long journey and the hot lunch was very much appreciated before a damp drive home."

"I couldn't believe that a chance visit to Salisbury Stained Glass Workshop could lead to a group photograph in front of a Hercules aircraft!"

"Certainly a day to remember. Andy said he was a novice at doing guided tours, but no professional could have done better; we enjoyed his company throughout the day. Very well done!"

Your very welcome!