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THE ERNEST WILSON MEMORIAL WINDOW
Steve Melhuish contacted us via the website in July enquiring about The Friends.We asked him to tell us something about his links with St. Oswald’s and this is part of his reply.
In brief, my grandparents Ada and Roland Wilson lived at 80 Thorne Road(Belton House) and my parents at 166 Thorne Road (Locksley Cottage).
My uncle Ernest died at an early age and his grave is in the churchyard, dugdeep to potentially accept all four family members this grave now alsocontains my grandparents.
My parents were married at St Oswald's and myself and my brother werebaptized there. My parents left Edenthorpe about 15 years ago to be closerto me and sadly have since died.
The wording on the small brass plaque affixed to the window ledge in the chancel says:
In memory of Ernest Wilson
Born February 18th 1929
Died 1st September 1947
The window is placed here by his parents.
The window itself is quite interesting.It was made by Powells of
Whitefriars, London. They are quite famous in artistic circles for fancy collectable table glass as well as stained glass. Their windows are identifiable by their trademark - a small hooded monk in the bottom right corner . The two saints represented are Patrick and Columba - two of the Celtic (Irish) saints who came across to the north of England in the period of the early Christian church.
Steve went on to say
I have a recollection of the time when the intention was to destroy thechurch and include some of the stonework in the new church in Church Balk.This gave us as a family great concern and my father was in some small partinstrumental in the process that led to the church being saved and comingunder the protection of redundant churches organization.
Though I knew little of what was being said I do remember Sir John Betjemencalling on us and having some lengthy discussions with my father.
Sir John Betjeman (1906-1984) was a journalist, broadcaster and poet who was a noted conservationist with a particular interest in architecture, especially church architecture, and railways. In the 1930s he made a number of radio programmes about the threat to Georgian and Regency towns. He particularly targeted the planning decisions of town councillors and the activities of speculative builders with tales of incompetence, corruption and self-interest. This became even more important to him after WWII when so much was being swept away replacing bomb damaged buildings and favouring the growth of the motor car. Obviously the proposals for St. Oswald’s attracted his interest.
Do you remember the Melhuish or Wilson families?
If you do and would like to contact Steve please contact the Secretary on 01302 884216 or via the website.
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