Stourbridge Glass Museum opens Churchill exhibition

The Churchill Memorial Screen, a 40ft, six-tonne glass installation commissioned in 1969 and intended as the centrepiece of Dudley’s Churchill Shopping Centre, is the focus of a new exhibition at Stourbridge Glass Museum.

The exhibition explores the dramatic and little-known story behind the creation of the screen, which was beset by artistic and technical challenges.

Edward Bainbridge Copnall, the artist behind the piece, faced repeated setbacks in capturing Churchill’s likeness, eventually requiring five attempts.

The manufacturing process proved hazardous, relying on hand-shattered glass shards and fast-setting resin.

One injury saw Copnall fall 14ft from a ladder, losing four front teeth.

Shortly after its installation, the corrosive adhesive began to fail, causing heavy chunks of glass to literally rain down from the sky.

Niamh Peters, curator at Stourbridge Glass Museum, said: "The screen was vandalised in 1983 with iron bars during a time of widespread decline, unemployment, and societal anger.

"While some have historically laid blame on the council for its ultimate destruction, the reality is that the council was instrumental in protecting and saving the remaining pieces from being lost forever."

Originally rescued by Stourbridge College students in 1972, the surviving fragments were placed in storage in 1992.

The museum now hopes to see the screen restored and displayed.

Alexander Goodger, director of Stourbridge Glass Museum, said: "This is a story of grit, craftsmanship, and community resilience.

"We are now at a pivotal moment.

"We would love to hear ideas from the public as to where we could display a fully restored screen and how we might secure the funding to bring this giant home.

"We haven’t heard from the shopping centre yet, but we are ready to start the conversation."