Blue plaque in memory of renowned stained glass maker could be unveiled in Warwick
By James Smith
25th Jan 2024 | Local News
A blue plaque celebrating the work of a renowned stained glass maker could soon be placed on a house in Warwick.
Warwick Town Council has applied for permission to memorialise the work of William Holland, on the Old Glassworks building on Priory Road.
The house itself was built by Holland in 1847, and included a glass workshop where he employed 26 men and boys, before it was taken over by the Warwickshire Yeomanry in 1913.
Having become grade II listed in 1985, the town council now wants to add a blue plaque to recognise a little-known slice of the town's history.
"The plaque would record the residence of William Holland, a 19th century British maker of stained glass who founded his firm of 'Holland, William and Son, St John's Warwick. Designers and Producers. Stained glass of the twelfth century representing scriptural events' and established his studio in the rear workshop," the application to Warwick District Council said.
"He trained family members such as his sons and his nephew, Frank Holt.
"The business later became known as 'Holland and Holt'."
Holland lived at the Old Glassworks from 1851 to 1873, before dying while living with his daughter in Leamington Spa in 1883 aged 78 - the application explained.
Plans also said Holland's stained glass was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, alongside the work of 24 other stained glass makers invited.
He was then known as a stained glass painter by appointment of Queen Victoria.
Examples of his work can be seen at St Mary's, All Saints in Leamington and St Peter's in Barford.
The house also has some examples of the stained glass work.
The Old Glassworks was put on the market for £1.3 million last year with property agent Fine & Country.
See the full plans here.
(Header image by Michael Dibb via geograph.org.uk)
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