This month’s speaker was Andrew Bennett who shared with us his love of ‘Glass -making and Stained Glass’. Andrew is a retired civil servant who spent 25 years mostly in Customs and Exise. When he left the service, he needed a hobby and attended the local technical college to learn about glass-making. Andrew does not actually create stained glass but he repairs it and works mostly with lead lights. He does, however, make decorative, coloured glass objects to sell at craft fairs.
Andrew began by pointing out the difference between stained glass and lead lights. Lead lights have a decorative, glass pattern which is held together with lead. Stained glass also has decorative, glass patterns but there is usually lots of added detail.
Normally, stained glass is found in religious settings and are often huge. Andrew informed us that when Lincoln Cathedral was being built and they were ready for the windows, a life-size window was chalked on to the floor and the window was built there.
Of course, glass was very expensive and lead quite cheap so only small pieces of glass were made and held together with the lead. Typically, there were lots of diamond shapes but with strengthening bars across the windows. These bars pierced the stone surrounding the window and made it secure.
Little Moreton Hall has good examples of Elizabethan glass and all the windows are the same which suggests that travelling craftsmen were hired. These craftsmen had their own sample patterns and all over the country are examples of the same patterned windows – in fact, a stately home near Wells has exactly the same pattern as Little Moreton Hall! It is said that the windows were so expensive that when the family travelled away from home, the windows were removed and buried in the grounds!
Gawsworth Hall has two different types of windows. Downstairs has windows made up of large squares which would have shown visitors how rich the family were, but upstairs there are smaller, diamond – shaped windows which would have been much cheaper.
Andrew told us about the different types of glass, its origins, how it is made and the tools needed to make it. He also showed us some of the projects that he has worked on, including pub signs, windows and door panels.
This was a very interesting presentation given by a very enthusiastic artisan and was very much enjoyed by the attending membership.
To find out more, visit Andrew’s website: www.moultonglass.co.uk
Reports of monthly meetings and information of upcoming events and activity groups can be found on our website - https://www.northwich.u3asite.uk
Come and join us for the meeting on Wednesday 19th August, 2pm at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Weaverham, when Eric Lupton will tell us all about ‘The Lives and Music of Rogers and Hart’.