THE world-famous but imperilled medieval stained glass of Malvern which has been painstakingly restored is coming home at last.
Malvern Priory is renowned throughout the world for the quality of its rare and beautiful stained glass which dates back to the Middle Ages.
However, the ravages of time and the cruelty of the elements had left some of the precious fragments at risk of being lost forever.
Undeterred, those passionate about conserving the glass set out on a bold mission to rescue it for future generations.
The project was launched by the Friends of Malvern Priory who secured the assistance of the York Glaziers Trust to not only restore but also protect the glass.
Malvern's breathtaking Creation Window in particular has suffered because of acid rain, algae and being exposed to the elements - and this has been the focus of the restorers' endeavours.
From Monday (April 17), the glass is expected to make a return to the priory.
Soon visitors can once again appreciate the glass, said by experts to rival for beauty that of York Minster.
READ MORE: Work to restore medieval glass of Malvern Priory to former glory
READ MORE: World famous medieval stained glass of Malvern Priory remains at risk
Stonework has also been repaired as skilled conservators prepare the glass to be returned to pride of place in the Priory.
Anne Eglington, chairman of the Friends, said: "The stonework repairs are finishing this week and the first stage of the return of the glass will start next Monday (April 17) for two weeks.
"The first week will be to fit the Environmental Protective Glazing which is the external plain glass, but the second week will be the most exciting when the medieval glass returns."
It is hoped this particular part of the project is finished by April 28 - if things go to schedule. Once the scaffolding is removed the public will be able to see the restored glass.
She added that stonemasons from Sally Strachey Historic Conservation have been carefully preparing and repairing the surrounding stonework, ready for the glass to make its return.
As previously reported, a list of at-risk sites has been published by Heritage England, including the glass of Great Malvern Priory.
The Priory Church of St Mary and St Michael, Church Street, Malvern, is a former Benedictine Priory founded in 1085. The church has the largest display of 15th-century stained glass in England.
Mrs Eglington said last year: "It's some of the best surviving medieval stained glass in the country, second only to York Minster. If we don't do something about it, it will be lost forever. We are passionate about saving, protecting and preserving the medieval glass at risk in Great Malvern Priory."
The priority now is to apply for National Lottery Heritage Fund to continue the work after the success of the pilot project.
The Friends have agreed to support the restoration of the first of these windows, the Creation Window in St Anne's Chapel, as part of a larger Priory Development Plan.
Reinstalling the glass in an environmental protective frame and repairing the surrounding stonework costs £125,000.
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