Over the last ten years, I have stood many a time in the banqueting hall of Alton Towers, gazing through the vast panes of plain glass over the lake and distant Weaver Hills. But standing there more recently, I was not only greeted by the beautiful view but also by a wondrous riot of colour and light.
When I stepped into the hall and saw the fully restored window for the first time, I shed a tear. Not only was I overwhelmed by its beauty but also a sense of how bittersweet its completion was, for I so wished my friend and mentor Michael Fisher were standing there with me.
In his last email, Michael attached images of the panels being worked on at the Williams & Byrne studios and it was clear from his correspondence how excited he was to witness the process. And whilst I will always feel a great sadness that like Pugin, Michael never got to see the window in its full glory, I shall will be eternally grateful I did.
I will always also appreciate how fortunate I was to get an up-close view of the window before the internal scaffolding was removed. It felt such a privilege to see it so intimately, and the level of detail in the glass truly left me in awe. Many of these details are so minute and intricate they would never be seen from down in the hall, including the stunning fabric of the Turks’ turban that has the shine of real silk. But that was the perfection Pugin strove for and, once again, it is as he had envisioned.
It seems fair to say that not only Michael and I but also everyone involved in the window’s restoration, have been deeply moved by it, including Warren Critchley, Head of Estates and Facilities at Alton Tower who oversaw the project.
“Overseeing with the reinstatement of Pugin’s restored window is probably the highlight of the restoration projects that I have been involved with over the last 30 years. The window is so colourful and detailed that looking at it closely is like being surrounded by illuminated art. Every time I return to the banqueting hall, I see even more detail that I had not seem before. Its scale and beauty is not wanting in anyway. It has been emotional and a privilege to work on something so unique and beautiful and such a shame Father Fisher was unable to see it completed”.
Although I only knew Michael for a relatively short time, I shall be forever thankful for the time I had and always appreciate how very lucky I was to have his support and friendship. His passion for the Tower’s and Pugin’s work continues to inspire me and no doubt without Michael’s influence I would not be standing before the great window as I do today.
No one can deny that the last couple of years have been difficult for us all, but the restoration and return of Pugin’s glorious Banqueting Hall window feels like a symbol of hope amongst the ruins. Michael ended his last correspondence to me with the words “as we hope for better times” and I sincerely hold on to that thought and believe they really will to come to us all.
Article first published in the Pugin Society's annual newsletter, Present State in 2022
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