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Window on stained glass with new website


A new website explores Norwich's stained glass.

19 December 2009 16:55



Beautiful stained glass windows in Norwich churches can now be seen in people's homes, thanks to a new website.

By visiting the Norfolk Stained Glass website viewers can zoom into the images to find more detail and also discover more about their creation.

The website is the brainchild of husband and wife team Michael and Frances Holmes and former motor sports photo-journalist Mike Dixon. There are currently stained glass images from 80 Norfolk churches on the website, including most of Norwich's, but the trio still are still adding to it.

Mr Holmes, 63, a retired Norwich Union IT manager from Cringleford, said: “Mike takes the pictures. I do all the techie bits and Frances does all of the research and writes up the narratives for the churches and the windows.

“We are gradually working our way through the churches, and we have done most of the Norwich ones.

“We hope to have completed more than 100 by the end of next year. We do about one church a week.

“The hardest part is getting into the churches to take the photos. Most of the churches are closed so you need to find the keyholder to get the key, which takes time. There are 650 medieval churches in Norfolk.”

Mrs Holmes, 47, added: “It used to be so difficult to see the stained glass up close in Norfolk churches, but not anymore.

“We offer people facilities they cannot get anywhere else. This brings it into people's homes.”

The team's other major initiative is the Norwich Yards website of video memories, which can be accessed via the stained glass site.

For more info visit www.norfolkstainedglass.co.uk .

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