On Thursday, April 3, back home in our usual venue of Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall after refurbishment, Mr Alderton of Northallerton, an expert on church window glass, gave a most informative and interesting illustrated talk on Ripon Cathedral glass. He firstly introduced us to other windows for comparison, namely Fountains Abbey and the rose window at Byland Abbey and how the civil war and puritans destroyed much. We looked at most windows in the Cathedral and dates and makes were given for all. The large east window was last ‘refurbished’ in 1950. It was mainly made in 1854 by William Wales with other alterations in 1896, including the figure of Christ being added. In the 18th century William Peckitt was responsible for the Grantley memorial window in the north isle. He was also responsible for the arms window of local people and bishops in the library. Three more modern windows, well worth viewing , are the 1991 Wilfrid window, the fairly recent window made from the six windows from the Ripon University chapel, no longer used since the closure of the campus, and the beautiful window donated by Mr Emmerson, a member of the congregation in memory of his wife, last year.

Our next meeting will be at Allhallowgate Hall on Thursday, May 1, 7.15pm for 7.30pm when David Allenby, Chief Planning Officer, will be giving a talk. All are welcome and there is a small charge.