John Read, ex-CSJ trustee and composer of the cantata ‘The Way of St. James to Compostela’, gave us an excellent introduction to the world-famous stained glass in his parish church of St. Mary’s, Fairford. John was organist there for many years and has written several monographs on different aspects of the glass, so it was fascinating to have the windows explained to us by an expert. Fairford  almost unique in having a complete set of late medieval stained glass preserved in situ, dating from the turn of the C16th by the same Royal glazier as Henry VII’s chapel at Westminster Abbey and King’s College, Cambridge. It also boasts both a full-length figure of St. James!

We were fortunate in being able to use the adjacent Community Centre for pre-talk refreshments and afterwards, a bring-and-share lunch which was greatly enjoyed by all. This also gave the opportunity for exchanging ideas about possible future RG meetings, as well as discussion of pilgrimage routes within the UK. 

What a way to brighten a chilly and drizzly April day - thank you, John!