The Glaziers' Trust

Registered Charity No 1143700

Board Members

Keith Barley, Director of stained glass conservation studio.
Caroline Benyon, Chairman and Fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, stained glass artist and conservator/restorer.
Sarah Brown, Director of stained glass conservation studio. Lecturer in History of Art andCourse Director of the University of York’s MA in Stained Glass Conservation.
Stephen Clare, Stained glass conservator in private practice. National stained glass adviser to the National Trust.
John Dallimore, Business Director with expertise in business and financial management
Stephen Graham, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, Chairman of the Glaziers Foundation and Business Director of a leading set of London Barristers’ Chambers
Malcolm Leith, Management Consultant with a background in business and IT management
Phillida Shaw, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, organiser since 1983 of the Company's annual national Architectural Glass Competition, independent glass engraver
Sebastian Strobl, Art Historian and Stained Glass Conservator, former Head of Stained Glass Conservation at Canterbury Cathedral, currently Professor of Stained Glass Conservation at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt
John Watson, Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, Trustee of The Stained Glass Museum, Trustee of the BSMGP Trust,Retired Stock Exchange and Banking administrator, and former consultancy Partner with Coopers and Lybrand

Advisers:

Peter Cormack,
Historian of nineteenth and twentieth century British and American stained glass particularly of the period 1880 -1940
Jonathan Cooke, Stained glass conservator and artist, stained glass advisor to three Diocesan Advisory Committees andmember of the Church Building Council’s stained glass committee

Secretary:

Susan Mathews, former Curator of The Stained Glass Museum, Ely

The Glaziers’ Trust was founded in 1966 to promote the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of stained glass and other decorative glass, and the restoration and preservation of such glass in places where it may be seen by the public. In 2011 the Glaziers’ Trust was incorporated as one of three Company Trusts into the Glaziers Foundation. The former Glaziers’ Trust will continueits activities and act independently as before, administered by ten Board members and two special advisors.

Applying for a Grant

The Glaziers Trust meets four times a year, normally in January, April, July and October, and is pleased to receive applications in support of its three principal objectives.

  • The conservation, restoration and protection of historic and important stained glass
  • The promotion of the Craft by supporting the education and training of young craftsmen and women in stained and painted glass
  • supporting activities which create public awareness.

Please make the Secretary aware that you are intending to submit an application as additional advice can be given to assist you at an early stage.

Applications must be submitted three weeks before the meeting. Please email the secretary : susanmathews29@gmail.com with hard copy to : Glaziers Hall, 9 Montague Close, London Bridge SE1 9DD

Historic Legacy

Stained glass is a fragile but enduring medium and examples from the twelfth century to the present are found throughout Britain in both churches and public buildings, many thousands of panels of stained glass were created during the Victorian period alone. The preservation of this historic legacy requires constant monitoring and care, and those people most closely connected locally, play a vital rôle in this task.

Conservation and Restoration

Most stained glass is located in churches and the cost of its upkeep, protection and repair often falls upon small parish congregations. The Trust targets its resources to grant aid parishes who have the responsibility of saving historically important stained glass for future generations. The Listed Places of Worship Scheme also offers assistance towards costs linked to grants.

Historically important stained glass is also found in other public buildings and museums and the Trust is pleased to receive applications other than from churches and also from other countries. It is a requirement however, that following conservation and restoration, the stained glass is accessible to the public.

The Glaziers’ Trust expects that glaziers appointed to undertake this work are appropriately experienced and professionally accredited. A list of accredited UK conservators can be found on the ICON Conservation Register.

Once stained glass has been conserved and restored it is vital that it is put back in such a way that it will be protected from possible external damage and from deterioration caused by environmental factors. Environmental protection formerly known as isothermal glazing should be part of a responsible programme of care. The Trust is happy to receive applications towards the protection of historically important stained glass.

How much can we expect to receive?

The Glaziers’ Trust does not have large funds at its disposal and grants are therefore small and spread thinly. However a successful application can often encourage other bodies to contribute to an Appeal to save, protect and bring to public notice this wonderful legacy.

Applying for a grant for Conservation and Restoration

The stained glass must be of artistic/historic significance for consideration. If you are in doubt, or need further advice please send an initial enquiry by email to the Secretary with a photograph of the window if possible.
Application form

Education and Continuing Professional Development

The Glaziers’ Trust, through a number of annual awards supports the training of young craftsmen. This can be directed towards the acquisition of the skills of conservation, restoration and design as, for example, through the Glaziers’ Company Awards. Application details can be found by clicking on the individual links below

Award for Excellence

Ashton Hill Award

Travelling Scholarships

Continuing Professional Development Award

The Glaziers’ Trust has recently supported a student bursary in Stained Glass and Heritage Management at the University of York
University of York

Accreditation

The Glaziers’ Trust is committed to raising the standard of conservation and restoration of stained glass and is therefore offering up to 4 grants each year of £300 each to assist professional glaziers to achieve accreditation with ICON (the Institute of Conservation).

Examples of Recent Grants

If you would like to see some examples of recent grant awards please click here.

Donation

If you are able to contribute to this valuable work please make a donation by contacting the Treasurer Malcolm Leith

Other useful information

Caring for your stained glass

‘A Fragile Inheritance’ Sebastian Strobl and Sarah Brown, Church House Publishing 2002

Conservation Guidance and Information on-line

Vidimus - Online Magazine of Medieval Glass

The Journal of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, back copies available from the Editor

Commissioning a stained glass window for a church

Do consult your Diocesan Advisory Committee (CofE) or similar body for other denominations, at an early stage. For useful advice visit www.churchcare.co.uk

Finding a stained glass specialist

Find a Conservator
Find an artist:The British Society of Master Glass Painters
Artist Members of the Livery


The Glaziers Hall Logo