Archive content
This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 10 June 2015. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
CAMILLA, the Duchess of Cornwall, unveiled a new commemorative stained glass window at St Martin's Church, Bladon, the last resting place of Sir Winston Churchill, .
The window commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill , St Martin's Church, Bladon, Oxfordshire, OX20 1RS.
Camilla, Duchess of Cambridge at Bladon.
ST Martin's is the last resting place of Sir Winston Churchill and is visited by thousands of visitors each year. Sir Winston has a simple family grave in the church yard, in accordance with his wishes. The church contained no memorial to Sir Winston, but it was felt that is was appropriate to mark the 50th anniversary of his death with a specially commissioned stained glass window on the South side of the church. Emma Blount, a young stained glass award-winning artist with work in churches in the USA and Britain, has designed a window which both reflects Christian heritage and includes representations of Sir Winston's life and work.
The two largest lights depict St Martin (the dedication of the church) and St Alban (Britain's first martyr).
The borders are filled with many symbols of Sir Winston's life, including cigars, his favourite Pol Roger champagne, his beloved poodles Rufus 1 and Rufus 2, and the famous 'V for victory'.
The window is closely inscribed with aphorisms and speeches, including many less well-known statements concerning his religious beliefs. On arrival at Bladon Church Her Royal Highness was be met by the Lord-Lieutenant Mr Tim Stevenson and other dignitaries including Their Graces The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the Team Rector, The Revd Canon Adrian Daffern and children from the local Bladon C of E Primary school. There was a short service in the church followed by HRH unveiling the new commemorative window before meeting the window's designer, Emma Blount, the Churchwardens, and other members of the Window Committee.
These include Miss Marenka Roseby first suggested the idea of the commemorative window. HRH also visited Sir Winston Churchill's grave, escorted by The Duke of Marlborough.
Emma Blount - Window Designer
Emma Blount is an award-winning artist who studied "Art for Community" (Public Art) at Roehampton University, Barnes, London in 1999. Emma now designs and makes stained glass windows in her studio in Streatham in London.
Sir Winston Churchill's funeral
Sir Winston Churchill had expressed a wish to be buried at Bladon.
So, on 30th January 1965, after his state funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral, London, his body was taken to Bladon.
There, the private burial took place, conducted by the rector andattended by relatives and close friends.
;