Wainwright's Window threatened by storms

By LFTO News Team

Outdoor headlines

05 February 2008 10:53

A window celebrating the life of Lake District legend Alfred Wainwright has been boarded up amid fears over worsening storms in the area.

The Wainwright Window in Buttermere Church honours the author, whose Pictorial Guides to the Lake District are indispensable for many walkers. It frames a view of Haystacks, Wainwright's favourite fell and last resting place of his ashes.

The building - known locally as the Church on the Rock - has been battered by the recent heavy storms over Cumbria, sparking fears the window could shatter.

With reports of more bad weather in the coming weeks, the Rev Margaret Jenkinson, vicar of Buttermere Church, took the decision to board up the window while its frame is strengthened.



Humdingers

Rev Jenkinson said: “We have had some real humdingers of storms blasting their way down the valley in recent weeks.

“Sadly they were battering the Wainwright Window to the point where it had developed a bulge in the panes of leaded glass which had already been stressed by the elements for many years.

“The architect advised us that the window was on the point of blowing inwards, completely shattering the glass.

“So, with the inclement weather looking set in for some time to come, restoring the Wainwright window was the priority.”

It is aimed to have it ready by Easter, with the restoration work being done at Albion Glass, Brampton.

Funding

Rev Jenkinson says the cost of the repairs will be round about £1,000. Anyone wanting to make a contribution to the fund can send a cheque to the Wainwright Society with a note marked: Buttermere Church Window Repairs.

Send it to Kendal Museum, Station Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6BT.

* The Wainwright Society has confirmed that celebrated photographer Derry Brabbs, whose work illustrated many of the author's later works, will be the speaker at the Sixth Wainwright Memorial Lecture, taking place at Rheged Vistor Centre on Saturday, October 11.

For more details, call Rheged on 01768 860090.



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