It's funny how lots of things in life seem to come in threes even glass! About five years ago Liverpool Cathedral commissioned me to photograph the Noble Women Windows in the Lady Chapel, this turned out be a very technical job (see case study Noble Women Windows). The photographs were used to produce a booklet about the windows and one of the women represented in the Atrium window is Josephine Butler.
St Gregory's Church
Earlier this year I was approached by Helen Whittaker of Barley Studios, York and asked to photograph the centenary window and sculpture they had made in memory of Josephine Butler, at St Gregory's Church, Kirknewton, Northumberland.
Window and Sculpture
The Sculpture
This centenary commission consists of a window and a sculpture, the sculpture is in copper comprising nine lilies on seven stems entwined with bindweed, the window and sculpture are situated in the entrance porch on the south side of St Gregory's, it's quite a tight space. Luckily the church is remote not having many visitors as the porch door is the only access.
Centenary Window
It still gives me a thrill to arrive at a church and just open the door and walk in! No access problems just the common courtesy of letting the vicar know I'd be around on that day, wicked!
St Gregory's Chancel
Anyway here I am a few weeks later in one of my favourite pubs in Wigan with a glass in my hand and one of the beers on tap is Liverpool Organic Brewery's 'Josephine Butler Elderflower Ale' Wasn't certain about the first one so had to try another couple just to be sure!
Good things come in threes! Or is it trees! Or I've had too much Elderflower Ale!
Window Detail
Careful where you step!