A message from Scampton Church
Hello everyone,
We have now reached our target and the construction of the window continues. All the glass cutting and fused glasswork is now complete. The next stage is the initial traceline painting, some of which has been started in the right 617 Squadron panel. This is meticulous painstaking work and will gradually highlight all of the detail of the badges, aircraft, lettering, poppies, and the 'Bomber Command Memorial' airman. The window will be installed before the 80th anniversary of the formation of 617 (Dambusters) Squadron at RAF Scampton on 23rd March 2023.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, and The Petwood Hotel for their support. The 'Just Giving' page is still open and as we approach Christmas we are accepting dedications for the commemorative book which will sit under the window, and be published online. Dedications can be 617 Squadron or RAF related. It could also be to a loved one, friend or relative, Your dedication can be up to 100 words in length and include a photograph. We are asking for a donation of £50 to have your entry included, and receive a certificate. All donations will now go towards the creation of the Scampton Community and RAF War Graves Heritage Centre at Scampton Church. You can read more about this exciting project to enhance the RAF heritage of Scampton following the closure of the iconic station here.
Working with Heritage Lincolnshire, the project aims to encourage more schools to come and learn about our RAF heritage links at Scampton, the stories of the people buried in the 107 War and Service Graves, and the work of our partners the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
To find out more about this fantastic project, click https://scamptonchurch.org/building-development-project/
Please send your dedication with the ‘Just Giving’ reference number to rafwindow@scamptonchurch.org
The new window
The site of the new window at Scampton Church. The church houses an RAF Chapel which is furnished with the original squadron shields, and honour boards from the officers mess at RAF Scampton and the altar and small pews from RAF Swinderby when that closed down. The carpets in the chapel were donated from RAF Kirton in Lindsey when it closed down
Window design
The new window design being made and soon to be installed at Scampton Church.
The proposed 617 Squadron Commemorative Window is a Claire Williamson Glass commission. It will create a create a ‘sister’ window to the Claire Williamson RAF Scampton Commemorative Stained Glass Window in the nave at Scampton Church.
Several substantial pledges towards to cost of the window have already been made and the final conceptual design drawn up.