A PROJECT that began as a mission to raise money to repair and restore the ancient stained glass windows at a church near Camelford has seen members of the community invited to make their own stained glass panels to take home.

Over the last three years, the Friends of Lanteglos Church have been raising funds and applying for grants to repair and restore the ancient stained glass windows at St Julitta’s Church.

After more than 500 years the glass and the stone window mullions were reported to be suffering and in need of urgent care with the funding necessary to achieve their aims now being raised - approximately £150,000.

Part of the fundraising achievement was due in part to a ‘significant’ grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in addition to grants, donations and fundraising by the Friends of Lanteglos Church alongside the Cornwall Historic Churches Trust and Camelford Town Council.

The specialist contractor overseeing the works, Somerset based Holy Well Glass has begun the first phase of the planned works, with the removal of the oldest windows for repair and restoration.

However, as part of the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, there was a requirement to offer community activities and not wanting to miss the opportunity, the Friends of Lanteglos Church teamed up with a local stained glass studio to provide a workshop where those in attendance learned for themselves how to make stained glass.

Held at the Lucian Stained Glass Studio, just outside of Camelford, the workshop was organised by studio owner, Jude Goss who is known for running stained glass taster sessions for the general public.

This workshop was prepared so after a morning’s lesson, the participants had enough to cut and shape glass in order to make their own attractive coloured glass pattern complete with leadwork to hang in a window at home.