Virgin and Child Window appeal, St Mary's Church, Roecliffe

St Mary's in Roacliffe, North Yorkshire is an unusual barrel-vaulted neo-Norman church, with a simple interior boasting  a magnificent Virgin and Child east window created by Barnett of York in around 1843, inspired by the work of 15th-century Italian master Pinturicchio. Unfortunately, time has taken its toll. The window is now bowing at the bottom as the lead that has held it together for almost two centuries begins to fail. 

Time and climate change has had an impact on the deterioration of the lead - from the higher temperatures in the summer, stronger winds and increased number of storms during the winter months.  These factors cause greater stress on the window’s lead which will eventually fail without intervention. It is often the case that after 180 to 200 years the lead in a stained glass window will soften.