New stained glass window dedicated at Broad Hinton Church

Mark Wightman, member of the church, writes: 

Some sixty villagers and members of the local community were privileged to witness the formal dedication of this beautiful window by Bishop Andrew of Ramsbury,assisted by Rev’d Maria Shepherdson and Churchwarden Gill Crabtree,on a beautiful English summer evening.The evening was enhanced before the dedication service by village and guest bell ringers and during it by the church choir. 

Special guests included the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire,William Wyldbore- Smith,representing the The Queen, Danny Kruger MP, Deborah Lowe the designer of the window,Allison Bucknell our Wiltshire Councillor,Parish Council Chairman, Alex La Roche as well as representatives of local clubs and organisations. 

Bishop Andrew’s warm personality and sense of humour shone through both the formal and informal elements of the evening. He invited Deborah Lowe to stand below the window with at the dedication and everyone enjoyed chatting informally to him at the reception held in the churchyard after the service. 

During the reception Nick Moakes eloquently raised a toast to Sally Cartwright and the late John Hutchings whose idea the window,for the Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee in 2017,it was and who worked tirelessly to get all the necessary approvals,only for the installation and dedication to be delayed by the pandemic .It is so sad that John was unable to be with us to witness the dedication. 

We are very grateful to Dave Eagle whose wonderful set of photographs tell this lovely story far better than any words.It was an important and memorable day in the history of our village.