A VIOLENT storm of January 2018 has led one Yorkshire couple to develop a long lasting relationship with Teesdale.
Jonathon and Ruth Cooke, from Ilkley, were back in the dale recently on holiday.
In January 2018 they were here to repair storm damage to the stained glass windows at Laithkirk Church.
Mrs Cooke said: “When we arrived the day after the storm hit, the rain was still pouring down.
“But everyone made us feel so welcome. When we walked into the church for the first time there was tea and cakes. We just felt so appreciated.”
The storm, which was un-named by the Met Office, caused extensive damage to the 19th century stained glass windows at Laithkirk leaving one on the verge of falling out of its frame.
The windows were designed and made by Clayton and Bell, one of the most prolific and proficient of the English stained glass workshops, during the latter part of the 19th century. Clayton and Bell windows are famous for their brilliant luminosity.
Stained glass conservator and restorer Mr Cooke said: “We removed the windows on the south and east side of the church. We cleaned all the glass, replaced the old strengthening bars with new, modern ones. Extra bars were added where it was thought necessary. We also cleaned the remaining windows which were covered in a thick layer of green algae.”
Mr Cooke, who served his apprenticeship at York Minster, has worked in stained glass for more than 40 years and has seen him work across the country and teach the art to upcoming artisans.
Mr Cooke said: ” We worked on King’s College, Cambridge, which was the coldest job, but Laithkirk was, and still is, the wettest.”
Despite the drenching given to them in upper Teesdale they have both fallen in love with the area. Mrs Cooke said: “The warmth of the people in Teesdale is incredible and we love the scenery.”
