The team at Colliers Court in Cinderford have unveiled a restored stained glass window in their waiting room thanks to GHC Charitable Funds.
When Colliers Court operated as an Older Persons Assessment Unit, the Friends of Colliers Court commissioned a bespoke stained-glass window for the waiting room, created by local artist Heather Evans.
The piece was designed to celebrate and reflect the Cinderford area’s rich heritage, and on installation in 1991, quickly became a much-admired feature among patients, staff, and visitors where it was placed in a panel in a modern, small door at the entrance.
During renovation works in 2015, the artwork was unfortunately damaged, with several sections of glass broken. During the COVID-19 period, the piece was returned to its original creator, Heather Evans for careful and skilled restoration.
Artist Heather shared more about the background to the window:
“I was originally approached by Andy Godden, Sam’s husband, and he said they needed something to brighten up the room. I think I did four designs, and I sent them along and they chose this one. The centre piece was taken from a brass rubbing I saw in Newent Church, and I thought it was so exciting that these men had to have a candle in their mouths to hew the coal.
“I was fired by enthusiasm that they were given licences to take the coal they needed, but would have to find their own way in the dark, perhaps wade through water and I wanted him to look like a spirit. The freeminer is in the centre in a cavern and this is supposed to represent all the colours of the wonderful Forest of Dean. The centre part took me about two weeks- it was a question of drawing an image on dark green glass on plain white and I had to acid-etch into the green to reveal. All the background was covered in bee’s wax and dropped in hydrofluoric acid, which is beastly stuff. I did quite a number of panels in those days and I restored church windows and I enjoyed doing that – it was quite a change from teaching art!”
The blue and green stained-glass window depicts a Forest free miner, and holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Forest community. Its return to Colliers Court not only enhances the reception environment but also reconnects staff, patients, and visitors with an important piece of local history.
After spending several years in storage, GHC Charitable Funds enabled the commission of a new bespoke lightbox, allowing the restored artwork to be safely and beautifully displayed once again in the Colliers Court reception area.
Elaine Hampson from the GHC Buildings and Environment Improvement Team put together the charitable funds bid to cover the cost of the repair:
“I linked with the original artist to undertake this, and a local contractor to construct a new frame and lightbox to display the work. I joined in ’99 when I worked here, and a lot of the people I worked with still work here and it means a lot to the staff as well as the visitors – we’re really pleased to see it back”.
GHC Charity
Through the generosity of thousands of people over the years, those in our care have benefited from additional resources, enhanced patient care and improved therapeutic environments. Charitable Funds are also used for staff welfare and improving the working and learning environments throughout the Trust.
Find out more: GHC Charity > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
