A SERIES of summer workshops is to be held at an historic former church in York which is being turned into a national centre for stained glass.

The stained glass centre at St Martin-cum-Gregory in Micklegate is offering four workshop days which will be led by designer Ann Sotheran on May 18, June 1 and June 2 and June 22.

York has 60 per cent of all the surviving medieval stained glass still in place in the UK and is the base for top practitioners in its construction and conservation.

The Stained Glass Trust, which is behind the centre’s foundation, has been in existence for six years. Trust volunteer Alison Gilchrist said plans to turn the redundant church into a national stained-glass centre were still in hand after a lease was secured on the building and fund-rasing plans for later in the year are being drawn up.

In the meantime, the public can join in with the workshops which will be making the most of their beautiful surroundings.

Alison said: “Ann Sotheran is a fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters, with more than 25 years’ experience of designing and making stained glass for many different situations.

"She has taught evening classes in stained glass for nearly 20 years as well as various workshops and taster sessions, covering all aspects of traditional stained glass work including glass painting and acid etching. She also teaches the copper foil technique of glass assembly.”

There will also be a series of guided tours of churches in the centre of York, focusing on the wealth of medieval, Victorian and modern stained glass in the city. Each tour will be led by expert guides, beginning at 6pm and lasting for about one and a half hours.

The tours will be as follows: May 23, St Martin-cum-Gregory and Holy Trinity, Micklegate; June 20, All Saints, North Street; July 25, St Martin’s, Coney Street, York Guildhall and St Helen’s, Stonegate (meet at St Martin, Coney Street); August 22, Holy Trinity, Goodramgate and All Saints, Pavement. The cost of each walk will be £6.

The glass workshops will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm and will cost £50, which includes all materials and use of tools and equipment.

For more information and to book places on the walks and workshops email info@stainedglasscentre.org.uk or telephone 01904 611687.