Part 1/3 - Visit to the Stained Glass Centre in Cayton, North Yorkshire, by Becky
A couple of years ago mum suggested we visit the Stained Glass Centre in Cayton, so off we tootled and were amazed to find it nestled away down a quiet little single lane and part of a farm. The front window was filled with beautiful, colourful stained glass panes, some really old from Churches and some fused into cheerful pictures. The lobby had the most amazing standing lamps adorned with really heavy glass, handmade shades that you just wouldn’t dream of touching, really fine work. To the right, a room went into a showroom with more fabulous pieces and to the left the reception and a café!
“Today the fifth generation of the family are at the helm of the business. Val’s daughter Becky and daughter in law Emma are propelling the Stained Glass Centre into the 21st century. Emma worked alongside Val for several years with her lampworking business and now concentrates her artistic skills on glass fusing and kiln work. She runs courses in the classroom and students are welcome to stay in the guest accommodation Killerby Cottage Farm. In the workshops the team are still working to produce stained glass windows, lampshades and mirrors. Visitors and customers are always welcome to the showroom and tearoom to see how the Lazenby Stained Glass business has evolved in one hundred and thirty six years”
I remember thinking ‘What a find!’ So, as you do, we decided to go and treat ourselves to some tea and cake and we were really impressed, not only with the food, but with the beautiful surrounding landscaped gardens we looked out upon. What a place!
On the table was information about the centre, the courses they offered, and the bed and breakfast facilities for those who come from far and wide to learn some new skills. So after we’d eaten, we decided to sign up for a class where we’d each learn to make a glass fused coaster.
It was such a good laugh, when the day finally came around, and really was good to try. I remember me and mum feeling like we were sat in a jewel shop looking at treasure and it was quite magical. There were so many different little pots of glass powder in every colour imaginable, and some filled with metallic chips. Emma, led the course, the daughter-in-law of Val and she specialises in glass fusion. Being an ex-teacher many years ago, I really appreciated her clear instructions giving us confidence as we worked and explored this new material, and also the warm humour she brought to the class. Needless to say, we have been back many times, and later this year we will go to do another course, and a little more adventurous now we are experts (he he).
A few weeks ago, mum said ‘Why don’t you see if you can interview the ladies at the Stained Glass Centre?’ I was really happy and grateful they agreed. I had such a great time, they are really lovely and down to earth and my nerves disappeared quickly! Below is the first very primitive ‘vlog’ of three parts of the interview with Val and Emma.
“In 1982 Val had an ‘Epiphany moment’ and her eyes were opened to stained glass. She had been brought up with stained glass since she was a child but thought it was old fashioned and outdated. Suddenly she saw it was beautiful and skilful and she wanted to learn all about it.. She left her teaching post and was apprenticed to her father in his business to learn all she could about stained glass over the next seven years. Ernie’s granddaughter Wendy joined Val. Together they learned their stained glass skills from Allan and Ernie.”
If you are interested at all in glass, I’d recommend watching as it’s a fantastic history lesson as well as learning about their amazing family heritage - 5th generation - but also plenty of technical talk and it is very informal and easy to watch -