Stained-glass windows restored after vandalism

A close-up of a stained-glass window panel of King Henry VI. He has a crown on his head and is facing the camera. Around him are blue and green pieces of glass and then roses and leaves.Image source, Plymouth City Council/Heritage Stained Glass
Image caption,

The panels were restored by Heritage Stained Glass

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Stained-glass windows at the Guildhall in Plymouth which were smashed by an intruder have been restored, the city council has confirmed.

Plymouth City Council said several panels were smashed by an intruder and although some repairs could be carried out in place, others needed more detailed restoration.

Two panels were badly damaged by an intruder in July 2023 - one of King Henry VI and of his wife Queen Margaret, the council said.

It said Heritage Stained Glass, a Devon-based company, was commissioned to carry out the restoration, which was now complete.

On the left is a stained-glass window panel of King Henry VI. He is wearing a royal mantle, it is red with white shoulders and a white trim. He is wearing a crown. Around him are blue and green pieces of glass and then roses and leaves. He is holding a scroll, the scroll is damaged. To the right is a stained-glass window panel of Queen Margaret. She is wearing a gold dress and a royal matel. Around her is the same blue and green pieces of stained glass and around them are roses and plants. Her face is damaged and covered in brown tape and her abdomen is covered in brown tape.Image source, Plymouth City Council/Heritage Stained Glass
Image caption,

The King Henry VI and Queen Margaret panels were badly damaged

The panels were originally installed in the 1950's, when the Guildhall was rebuilt after damage caused during the Blitz, despite being made in 1935.

The face of the panel of Queen Margaret had to be entirely rebuilt due to the vandalism, the council said.

Plymouth City Council said the whole restoration process took a few months, but the windows were now ready to go back to where they belonged.

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