Abstract

The windows are based on the themes of the sea and boats, St Mary`s Lighthouse, coal mining and Holywell Dene. The overall design has been created to compliment the Hughes Family window to the right on the north side of the church, using similar bold curved shapes and abstracted design forms. This new window introduces a variety of coloured and textured glass which develops and adds to the overall design scheme. The windows like the others will be made in the traditional techniques of stained glass making using coloured handmade antique glass and lead came.

Starting with the right hand side, this window depicts St Mary’s lighthouse and the sea. The bows of fishing boats are shown as simplified curved brightly coloured shapes in the foreground. The bible reference Isaiah 42:10 will be painted on to the glass and refers to the following verse;

‘Sing to the Lord a new song; let the sea roar and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants’

At the base of the window a space is left space for an inscription The words ‘In Memory of Brenda Bullock’ have been added, however an inscription of the donors’/Church’s choosing can be painted here.
The central window shows a view of Holywell Dene looking up the Dene from the bridge at Seaton Sluice. The bows of three small boats have been included. These fishing vessels can often be seen there, beached on the flat land at low tide. The coloured glasses used here will be streaky handmade English glass which has a unique character and movement. This will give the designer a good tonal range of colours from which to select. It is intended to visit the factory in the Midland to select the individual sheets of coloured glass for the commission in person, in order to obtain the ‘right glass’ for each window.

The far side of the left hand window is darker and more brooding in character with the deep purple colour representing the coal mines ever present in the Holywell area. The spring at Holywell is even said to flow with purple coloured water and the colour here makes reference to this also. The ivy as depicted at the far side of the window refers to a plant which represents life eternal. This is due to its continual green colour. It also represents fidelity in the manner in which ivy holds fast to a support. The window also includes a bible reference John 8:12

‘I am the light of the world’

This reference is set amidst the glow of light radiating from a miner’s lamp breaking through the darker surrounding colours and echoing the light streaming from the lighthouse at the far side of the window design.