It's quite unusual to see a new stained glass window installed in a church, but here is one installed earlier this month in All Saints Church, Pavement, York, as a memorial to the recently ended war in Afghanistan, and in memory of three local servicemen killed in that war.
The following notes are extracts from details posted in the church near the window: 'The main focus of the window design is the traditional symbol of peace in the form of a dove, which is also the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Beneath the dove is a winding pavement, made from cobbles or sets; a reference to the Church of All Saint’ s Pavement, which stands on one of the earliest paved streets in York. In the distance can be seen a glimpse of the Heavenly City, the final resting place of all our journeys.'
'In the design, the coloured lines in the pavement refer to the three Regiments which have lost men serving In Afghanistan: the Royal Dragoon Guards (maroon, gold and green), the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery (red and blue) and the Royal Marines (blue, red, green and yellow).'
'The three York servicemen are represented as individual stones, proudly displaying their regimental badges, and flying upwards towards the heavenly City, a golden circular light beneath the dove, that illuminates the path of those no longer with us. The yellow colour also reminds us of the sun and desert earth of Afghanistan.'
'On the sides of the cobbles are the names and dates of the three servicemen: Trooper Ashley David Smith (The Royal Dragoon Guards), Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton (Royal Artillery) and Marine David Hart (Royal Marines).'
The artist who created the window was Helen Whittaker of Barley Studio, York.
I don't think there is a better way to finish than to share the dedication of the window - 'This Window is dedicated to the Glory of God, to the memory of all those from York who served their country in the cause of peace and those who gave their lives in Afghanistan, 2001-2014'
Thank you ladies - sorry for the delay in replying, but I was away last week looking after my mum.
Ian