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Restoration of Forest Church windows finally complete

The instalment of the final two stained-glass windows at Forest Church has marked the completion of a 15-year-long restoration project.

Peter Vivian of Guernsey Glasscraft carried out the work
Peter Vivian of Guernsey Glasscraft carried out the work / Guernsey Press/Peter Frankland

Each of the 13 windows has been dismantled one at a time and carefully rebuilt with new lead between each pane.

Originally installed in the late 1890s, they are now fit for another 100 years, said their skilled preserver, Peter Vivian of Guernsey Glasscraft.

‘I’m glad they’re finally finished, they seem to have come out well,’ he said.

‘Over their years, the expansion and contraction of the lead loses its structure – I’ve had pieces you can snap like a twig. We took each window to pieces in the workshop and rebuilt them using all the original glass, if possible, which most of the time it is.

Left to right, Rev Adrian Datta, church member Nancy Smith, Peter Vivian from Guernsey Glasscraft, and people’s churchwarden Keith Bienvenu
Left to right, Rev Adrian Datta, church member Nancy Smith, Peter Vivian from Guernsey Glasscraft, and people’s churchwarden Keith Bienvenu / Guernsey Press/Peter Frankland

‘If a piece is cracked, you just put another lead line in it. I enjoy working on stained glass – it’s good to put something back into good condition. They’re works of art. There’s history in all of them.’

The two windows above the altar were the final piece of the project.

‘I’m very pleased that it’s completed,’ said church warden Keith Bienvenu.

‘It’s been quite a project. I think the congregation will be happy with them.’

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