MP overwhelmed by support for Churchill window campaign (From Dudley News)

MP overwhelmed by support for Churchill window campaign

1:10pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News

A DUDLEY MP’s campaign to restore a iconic Dudley memorial stained glass window is gathering pace, as support floods in from around the borough.

Last week Dudley North MP Ian Austin called for the huge 17 panel window in tribute to Winston Churchill to be restored in time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Prime Minister’s death in 2015.

The memorial, which was in the then-open air Churchill Precinct from 1969, was removed in 1991 after weather damage and vandalism caused bits of glass to break off.

Since launching his campaign, Ian said he has been thrilled with the response from members of the public, including Pensnett resident, Phyllis Coyle, who actually lived above the Churchill Precinct for many years and was there on the day it was unveiled.

Her late husband, Mick, was also responsible for looking after the glass panels and was part of efforts to prevent it being taken down.

Mrs Coyle, aged 84, said: “I lived above the precinct and it was a beautiful memorial. I remember the day it was installed and it would be great if we could do this to remember Winston Churchill and what he did during the war. You don’t want things like this shoved in a cupboard.”

The remaining undamaged panels are currently being stored in the cellars of Himley Hall and the MP is hoping to meet with glass experts, council officials and residents to discuss the possibility of getting the window back.

Mr Austin MP said: “The response since I launched the campaign has been overwhelming. People really want to see this happen. I’m going to be speaking to the council to find out exactly what remains of the memorial and what state it is in. Then we’re going to work with glass experts, local colleges and others to see how it can be restored and where exactly Dudley’s tribute to Churchill could go.”