An important stained glass window designed by William Morris (founder of the arts and crafts movement) and featured in the Clay Cross heritage trail has been restored in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross. The work costing £4,000 took two months to complete and was unveiled to the general public on the weekend of 28/29th June 2003.

The one hundred and twenty-four year old window was originally placed in Clay Cross Parish Church to commemorate the life of William Howe, engineer to the Clay Cross Company and inventor of the link motion.

Over a year ago plans were begun by the Church Council to restore the glass. The window which had suffered serious deterioration and damaged over the years has now been protectively glazed and restored to its original beauty. The work was carried out by Jonathan Cooke, one of only a handful of specialist conservators able to carry out this type of work.

The Rev’d Matthew Barnes, Vicar at St. Bartholomew’s said “It’s wonderful to have the window back in place, it looks fantastic. I’m pleased we’ve been able to preserve an important peace of local history for future generations to enjoy”

The restoration project was financially supported by the Derbyshire Churches and Chapels Preservation Trust, The Council for the Care of Churches, and The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.

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For further information contact:

Rev’d Matthew Barnes MA.
The Vicarage, Stretton Rd, Clay Cross, Derbys, S45 9AQ
Tel: 01246 250110
e-mail: matt@claycross.org