October 2024 – Genesis
Following a visit by an OC to Llanedwen Church (which overlooks the Menai Strait on the edge of the Plas Newydd estate) and his discussions with the church wardens about HMS Conway’s 10 year association with the church, the wardens asked the Friends of HMS Conway whether that link could be memorialised in some way by a display, information board or even a stained glass window. The church is quite small and lit only by candles so a display or board was thought to be problematic but the idea of a window was interesting and further discussions ensued.
16th December 2024 – Planning Meeting
Representatives of The Friends, the Vicar, Church Wardens, Diocese and the window artist met at the church to discuss the feasibility of a memorial window in the church. They looked at the windows that could be used and the practicalities of each (they had different shapes, sizes and positions) and concluded that the triple lantern window facing the entrance door (shown on the right) was the most suitable. They considered the impact of a new window on the church interior. They discussed two design approaches; a traditional format with very precise images, and a more contemporary one with flowing, abstract images. Some very simple mock ups of each style were considered. They concluded that a memorial window was very appropriate and that it could be installed in Q4 2025. They therefore decided to proceed, set out everyone’s responsibilities and actions including the process for selecting a design and obtaining church and Friends’ approvals to proceed. Local planing permission is not required as the church has delegated powers for church properties.
1st January 2025 – An Appeal is Launched
The Friends’ Trustees chose Jayne Ford Glass & Design to produce the window as she did such a splendid job on the Bangor Pier and PN Dock memorial windows. The church window is likely to cost £10K to £12K fully installed so the Trustees and the Conway Club Committee agreed to launch an appeal to OCs to help fund the project. The following article appeared in the February 2025 issue of The Cadet magazine. Donations have started to flow in but please do consider making a donation so this important memorial can become a reality.
15th January 2025 – Plans & Timescales
We have every confidence sufficient funds will be raised so have moved on to detailed project planning. Timescales must allow for church approvals, detailed design, manufacture and installation. Once that’s all complete we will hold a dedication service, hopefully officiated by the Bishop of Bangor and our own Simon Douglas Lane. Approximately 100 OCs and guests can be accommodated in the church and the service will be followed by a drinks reception and buffet lunch at the Conway Centre. We also hope to arrange accommodation and a reunion weekend in the Centre. To engage all those moving parts means that installation will be in Q4 2025 with the dedication service on Saturday 18th April 2026 as that’s the earliest date the Conway Centre can host us. Full details will be published here and in The Cadet magazine in due course.
11th February 2025 – Outline Designs Under Consideration
The window will illustrate our Conway Gulls tradition that old boys who have crossed the bar return to the ship as seagulls so should be welcomed home and not be disturbed. Two options are being evaluated by the Church Wardens and The Friends’ Trustees. The designs are inspired by the Gulls Window in the Conway Chapel at Birkenhead (reproduced above). One is a contemporary design by Jan Windsor shown below right, and the other is a traditional design by Jayne Ford shown below left. At this stage, both are outline, indicative drafts, sufficient for one to be chosen. Click on each image to see a larger version.
17th February – Design Selected
The Church Wardens and The Friends’ Trustees selected Jayne’s design. They liked its traditional look which compliments the style and colouring of the church’s other windows and, most importantly, it will still allow a lot of light into the church (it is candle lit with no electricity so the interior is quite dark and every ounce of light is important).
17th February – Submission For Church Approval
The church has a formal approval process requiring all sorts of detail about the he rationale for the window including its design, materials and installation, scale drawings, location and maker. The wardens created the required proposal and on Monday 17th Feb., it was submitted for approval by Bangor Diocese and then by “Head Office” in Cardiff. Approval is expected in April 2025.