I HAVE remained silent until now, but feel that now is the time to lend some sense to the argument over the round window, especially following the letter from M Sainsbury (January 23).
I live in Milton Abbot, I have a daughter at the school, I was a Milton Abbot parish councillor, I make stained glass windows, I have made stained (and coloured glass) windows for private house and churches from Brixham to St Cleer to Gunnislake and from Plymouth to the A30.
I do have some understanding of the matter, and would like to add to the debate,
A few facts: I cannot name a church in these counties that has a ?similar? round window. The window is not a stained glass window, it is a ?dalle de Verre?-style window. It relies on transmitted light for its effect and as 50% of the window is blanked off and the glass is thick there will not be a lot of light coming through, If installed it will never match the brilliance as shown in the photograph (with three spotlights behind).
If fitted into a larger window with clear glass next to it the visual effect from inside will be reduced even further due to the other light coming in round it (the very large window at Buckfast is in a dark room).
The colours (look) of the window from outside during the day will not be visible and will only be visible during dawn or dusk with the lights switched on inside.
The window could be fitted in such a way that it would not materially affect the visual appearance from outside, but it could also be hung inside on any wall in a traditional (not expensive) light box.
Colour and design is a simple question of personal taste, but when installed in building it should add to, rather than detract from, the overall image.
We must respect the right of the council to decide on the matter and we must be allowed to question that decision, but humans being humans they will always find a different way round a problem. Good luck to all concerned.
J M Watson
Milton Abbot