A special commission
This fritillary design was commissioned by my local church to be emulated in the medium of glass by the talented glassmaker Lesley of Cricklade Glass, for the church’s two Cotswold stone niches.
Lesley’s glass studio alongside the River Thames is like a candy shop – glass of every shade and colour. It was a privilege to see the transformation of the design into glass. Glass is such an enchanting medium in itself; melted and moulded to shape, fragile, vulnerable yet strong when merged together, with the end result beautifully reflecting the movement of light as it changes throughout the day. The light truly makes the colours sing.
A sense of place
The snakeshead fritillaries, a nationally-rare flower, are significant and characteristic to Cricklade; with North Meadow SSSI Nature Reserve being home to around 80% of Britains fritillaries. Their delicate bell like heads bow down, coming into bloom close to Easter time, symbolic of rebirth and renewal – a beautiful, reflective reminder of the Christian hope and faith. The three fritillary heads represent the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), surrounded by the flowing lines that denote the life giving water and continuous work of the Spirit. All the elements are held within a circular shape to represent everlasting love and unity of fellowship.
The two glass artworks were fittingly dedicated to Cricklade United Church during their Easter morning service, 2025.
