This week marks a major milestone for North East Derbyshire’s heritage — as 13th-century stained glass windows are carefully reinstalled at St John’s Parish Church, Dronfield, following a meticulous conservation project.
As part of my work supporting heritage communications, I was honoured to help bring this story to the wider public — working closely with ITV, Sheffield’s local news channels, the restorers at Holy Well Glass, stone masons from Pinnacle Conservation, and the dedicated church staff to coordinate interviews, drone footage, stills photography and press coverage.
These windows, some of the finest surviving examples of medieval stained glass in the north of England, haven’t looked this vibrant for decades. Once dulled by protective Perspex panels added in the 1970s and 1980s, the latest conservation process has removed those panels and painstakingly restored the original colour and clarity. It’s a transformation in every sense — and a triumph of collaboration between craftspeople, conservationists, and community stakeholders.
The project, funded with £179,541 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, isn’t just about the windows. It has also supported research into the church’s history, interpretive displays, and new volunteering opportunities for local people — all contributing to a sustainable legacy.
The windows tell vivid visual stories — once used to teach morality and biblical lessons to a largely illiterate medieval population. They feature striking animal figures known as ‘grotesques’, which were seen as messengers from God. These features have sparked interest from local schools and community groups who’ve been exploring their meaning through art and history sessions.
A rededication ceremony is now being planned, complete with an exhibition and printed materials to help visitors connect with the story behind the glass.
🧱 Media, storytelling, and smooth execution
My role in this project was to ensure the story was told clearly, powerfully, and in a way that helped all partners shine — from the expert conservators to the passionate local volunteers. That included securing TV coverage, press features, coordinating filming schedules, liaising with restoration specialists, and working alongside church teams to ensure everything ran smoothly on the day.
It’s a perfect example of how communications, when built into heritage work from the start, can extend a project’s reach and impact — ensuring these stories don’t just live inside buildings, but out in the wider world too.
📸 Behind the Scenes Highlights:
- Drone footage of the re-installation process
- Interviews with the restoration team & church leadership
- On-site coordination with media crews
- Interpretive materials in development for community display
📩 Want help getting your own heritage project seen, supported, and remembered?
Drop me a line: neil@neilandersonmedia.com – I’d love to talk.